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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


1.6 


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CIHM/ICMH 

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ORNITHOLOGY. 


u 


MANUAL 


ORNITHOLOGY 


UNITED  STATES  AND  OF  CANADA. 


BT 


THOMAS  NUTTALL,  A.  M.,  P.  L.  S. 


THE   LAJ^D   BIRDS. 


CAMBRIDGE: 
HILLIARD    AND    BROWN, 

BOOKSELLERS  TO  THE  UNIVERSITY. 


M  DCCC  XXXII. 


i'-fl 


I?  3* 


i:uleM;il  according  to  the  act  of  Congreas  iu  the  year  1832, 

by  Thomas  Nittali., 

in  Iho  Clerk's  oftice  of  the  District  Court  of  tlie  District  of 

Massachusetts. 


CAMBRIDOE; 
E.    W.    M  K  T  C  A  L  K    AND    C  O  M  P  A  N  Y. 


^ 


.^'^ 


I 


4? 


i  year  1832, 
IP  Distrirt  of 


PREFACE. 


After  so  many  excellent  works  have  appeared  on 
the  Birds  of  tlie  United  States,  it  may  almost  appear 
presumptuous,  at  present,  to  attempt  any  addition  to  the 
list.  A  compendious  and  scientific  treatise  on  the  sub- 
ject, at  a  price  so  reasonable  as  to  permit  it  to  find  a 
place  in  the  hands  of  general  readers,  seemed,  however, 
still  a  desideratum  ;  and  to  supply  this  defect  has  been 
a  principal  object  wit^  the  author  of  the  present  pub- 
lication. 

Besides  exploring  the  ever  fruitful  field  of  nature  In 
this  deliglitful  and  fascinating  kingdom,  every  availa- 
ble aid  has  been  employed  ;  and,  as  might  be  expected, 
invaluable  assistance  has  been  derived  from  the  labors 
of  the  immortal  Wilson  and  of  the  justly  celebrated 
Audubon.  In  the  scientific  part  of  the  Manual,  con- 
stant recurrence  has  also  been  had  to  the  useful  labors 
of  C.  L.  Bonaparte,  Prince  of  Musignano,  and  also  to 
the  well  known  treatise  on  European  Ornithology  by 
the  accurate  and  elaborate  Temminck,  as  well  as  to 
other  authors  of  established  reputation  ;  such  as  Bris- 
son,  BufFon,  Latham,  White,  and  Pennant. 

To  a  number  of  obliging  friends  who  have  assisted 
him  in  obtaining  specimens,  or  relations  concerning  the 
habits  of  our  birds,  the  author  offers  his  grateful  ac- 
knowledgments ;  particularly  to  Charles  Pickering, 
M.  D.,  to   whom  he  is  indebted  for  much  valuable  in- 


PHEFACE. 


formation  on  their  geographical  limits ;  to  William 
Cooper,  Esq.,  well  known  by  his  devotion  to  tlie  study 
of  ornithology;  to  Mr.  Oakes,  of  Ipswich  ;  to  T.  W. 
Harris,  M.  D.,  Librarian  of  Harvard  University;  to 
S.  C.  Greene,  Esq.  of  Boston  ;  and  to  Mr.  Nathaniel  J. 
Wyeth,  Mr.  James  Brown,  Mr.  John  Bethune,  and 
Mr.  Russell,  of  Cambridge. 

The  wood  engravings,  not  sufficiently  numerous,  in 
consequence  of  their  cost,  have  been  executed  by 
Mr.  Bowen  of  Boston,  and  Mr.  Hall,  in  the  employ  of 
Messrs.  Carter  &  Andrews,  of  Lancaster. 

A  larger  work  on  the  Ornithology  of  the  United 
States,  with  numerous  engravings,  and  more  extensive 
details  of  Natural  History,  will  also  soon  be  issued,  so 
as  to  complete  and  embody,  with  every  necessary  il- 
lustration, the  History  of  the  birds  of  llie  United  States, 
and  of  British  America. 


;  to  William 
n  to  the  study 
ih ;  to  T.  W. 
Jniversity ;  to 
'.  Nathaniel  J. 
Betluiue,  and 

numerous,  in 

executed   by 

the  employ  of 

)f  the  United 
lore  extensive 
1  be  issued,  so 
necessary  il- 
United  States, 


As  a  few  technical  and  scientific  words  have  unavoid- 
ably been  introduced  into  this  work,  we  subjoin  the 
following  glossary  : 

Mandibles.    The  two  part*  which  compose  the  bill. 

Ctre.  A  colored  meinhrane  investing  the  bote  of  the  upper  mandi- 
ble :  as  in  Ilnwka,  and  a  few  other  bird*. 

Capistnim.     Tlie  aides  of  the  head  immediately  behind  the  bill.    . 

Pnmt.     The  forehead,  or  fore  part  of  the  head. 

Lorti.     A  naked  line  lending  from  the  bill  to  the  eyeg. 

Orbit.     A  circle  round  tlie  eye-brows, 

Intersca/iular.     The  region  between  the  wings,  and  the  bock. 

Primaries.  The  external  quills  of  the  wing,  often  about  10  in  num- 
ber. 

Suonilaries.  The  next  (piills  to  the  priraarie*,  being  usually  about 
10  to  18. 

Tertials.    The  innermost  quills,  being  from  3  to  5  in   number. 

Mxda.  The  spurious  or  bostard  winglet,  of  4  or  5  small  feathers,  ait. 
uated  at  the  outer  edge  of  the  shoulder  of  the  closed  wing. 

Scapular.'!.  Long  feathers  arising  from  near  tlw,  junction  of  the  wing 
with  the  body  above,  and  lying  ov.  each  other. 

JiUtr.  Of  the  wings:  a  term  employed  in  speaking  of  the  stretch  of 
the  wing. 

Tarsus.    The  leg  bone,  joining  the  commencement  of  the  foot. 


LIST  OP  THE  WOOD  CUTS. 

A  vignette  at  the  beginning  and  close  of  the  Intro- 

•*"'='''"'' Batcen. 

'T''*  ^'"«'''' Ilartwell, 

Common  Falcon ^,„„^^ 

Washington  Eagle Sowm. 

BaldEagle.        _  jj^n^ 

*""'»  ""''k fj^ii^ 

Swallow-tailed  Hawk Bowm, 

""^•'Owl £„,^^ 

Mottled  Owl, B^^^ 

Great  Horned  Owl Bmcen, 

Long-eared  Owl jjoteen 


35 

S3 

67 

72 

78 

95 

115 

120 

134 

131 


TiU  LIST  or  WOOD  CUT!, 

Pin. 

Meadow  Lark  or  Starling, Ifall,  147 

Baltimorw  Oriole Hall,  153 

R«il-wiiiK<-<l  lllackbird Hnll,  KfJ 

Cow  Hliu  khirdH Ilnll,  17a 

D<ib-(>-l,iiik, llmrrn.  185 

Common  Crow-Ulackbird lioiecn,  1!)1 

Raren Hall,  a09 

Mngpie,        Hall,  810 

BlueJiiy Hall,  334 

Tufted  Tilmouie Hall,  836 

Chicaden HiUI,  241 

Cedar  Kird Uuicen,  248 

Qrent  Anierican  Uutcher-Bird, Hall,  358 

King.Uiid Hall,  305 

FbcBbe,  or  Pewit  Flycatcher, Hall,  378 

AmericMi  Redsttnrt Hall,  8!)l 

Neetof           do Hall,  205 

Red-Eyrd  Vireo Hall,  318 

Mocking  Uird Hall,  320 

Cat  Uird Hall,  333 

American  Robin, Hall,  338 

Bummer  Yvllow-Hird Hall,  366 

Black-tbroated  (Jreen  Warbler, Hall,  376 

Maryland  V«lluw-Throat, Hall,  401 

Golden-crfsted  Wren Hall,  417 

House  Wren, Bowm,  488 

Great  Carolina  or  Mocking  Wren, Bowen,  429 

Short-billtid  Marsh  Wren,       Bowen,  436 

Blue-Bird Hall,  444 

Common  Song-Sparrow, Bowen,  480 

Ground  Robin, Bmoen,  515 

Cardinal  Grosbeak, Bowm,  519 

Carolina  Parrot, Bowen,  546 

Golden-winged  Woodpecker, Bowen,  561 

Ruby-Throated  Humnung-Bird, H(dl,  588 

Belted  King-Fisher, Bowen,  594 

Barn  SwuUow, Hall,  COl 

Whip-Poor-Will, Bow'n  614 

Wild  Pigeon, Hall,  689 

Wild  Turkey,       HaU,  639 

Quail,  or  American  Partridge HaU,  647 


^(fc* 


.     IMI, 

"iTr 

.  Hall, 

153 

.    Hall, 

1(H) 

.  Hall. 

178 

.     llotren. 

165 

.  Boieen, 
.    HaU, 

11)4 
309 

.  Hall. 

919 

.    HiUl, 

334 

.  HaU, 

336 

.    H(dl, 

34 1 

.  Bowen, 

348 

.    IMI, 

35H 

.  Hall. 
.    HaU, 

3(i5 
378 

.  Hall, 

391 

.    Hall, 

295 

.  HaU, 

318 

.    Hall. 

320 

.  HaU, 

333 

.    H<Ul. 

338 

.  Hall, 

:W5 

.    HaU, 

376 

.  HaU, 

401 

.    Hall, 

417 

.  Botecn, 

433 

.     Boteen, 

489 

.  Bowen, 

436 

.    Hall, 

444 

.  Bowen, 

480 

,    Boieen, 

515 

.  Bowen, 

519 

.    Bowen, 

54S 

.  Bowen, 

561 

.     HaU, 

688 

.  Bowen, 

594 

.    HiUl, 

601 

.  Bow^n 

614 

.    Hall, 

639 

.  HaU, 

639 

.    Hall, 

647 

w 


INTRODUCTIOiV. 


Of   nil   the  cIiirhps  of  animals  by   whirh  we  are  mirrounded  in 
the  ample  flel.l  of  nature,  there  are  none  more  reniarkal)le  in  their 
appearance  nnd   haliils  Uian  the  feathered   inhabitants  of  the   air. 
They  play  around  ns  like  fairy  spirits,  elude  approach  in  an  element 
which   defies  our  pursuit,  soar  out  of  sight  in  the   yielding  sky, 
journey   over  our  heads   in   marshalled   ranks,   dart   like   meteor* 
in  the  sunshine  of  summer,  or  seekiufr  tlie  solitary  reoesses  of  the 
forest  and   the  waters,  they   ^rli.l,,  before   us  like  beings  of  fancy. 
They   diversify   the    still  landscape   with   the   most  lively   motion 
and  beautiful  association ;  they  come  and  go  with  the  change  of 
the  season,  and  as  their  actions  are  directed  by  an  uncontrollabh, 
instinct  of  provident  nature,  they  may  be  considered  ns  concomitant 
with  the   beauty  of  the  surrounding   scene.     With   what  grateful 
sensations  do  we  involuntarily  hajl  the  arrival  of  these  faithful  mes- 
sengers  of  spring  and  summer,  after  the  lapse  of  the  dreary  winter, 
which  compelled  them  to  forsake  us  for  more  favored  climes.     Their 
songs,  now  heard  from  the  leafy  groves  and  shadowy  forests,  inspire 
deliirht,  or  recollections  of  the  pleasing  past,  in  every  breast.     How 
volatile,  how  playfully  capricious,  how  musical  and  happy,  are  these 
roving  sylphs  of  nature,  to  whom  the  air,  the  earth,  ond  the  waters 
ai.»  almost  alike  habitable.     Their  lives  are  spent  in  boundless  ac- 
tion    nnd  nature,  with  an  omniscient  benevolence,  has  assisted  and 
formed  them  for  this  wonderful  display  of  perpetual  life  and  vigor, 
in  an  element  almost  their  own. 
1 


I 


2 


INTRODUCTION. 


If  we  draw  a  comparison  between  tliese  inhabitants  of  tiie  r.ir  and 
the  eartli,  we  shall  i)erceive  that,  instead  of  the  huge  head,  formida- 
ble jaws  armed  witii  teeth,  the  cai>acious  chest,  wide  shouUlers,  and 
musenlar  legs  of  the  quadrupeds ;  they  liave  bills,  or  pointed  jaws 
destitute  oiMeeth ;  a  lor.g  and  pliant  neck,  gently  swelling  shoul- 
ders,  innnovable  vertebrip ;  the   fore-arm  iiltenuated  to  a  point,  and 
clothed  with  feathers,  forming  the  expansive  wing,  and  thus  fitted 
for  a  diftereut  species  of  motion ;  likewise  the  wide-extended  tail, 
to  assist  the  general  provision   for  buoyancy  throughout  the   whole 
anatomical  frame.     For  the  same  general  purpose  of  lightness,  exists 
the  contrast  of  slender  bony  legs  and  feet.     So  that,  in  short,  we 
perceive  in  the  whole  conformation  of  this  interesting  tribe,  a  struc- 
ture wisely  and  curiously  adapted  for  their  destined  motion  through 
the    air.      Lightness   and   buoyancy    appear   in   every    part   of  the 
structure  of  birds  ;  to  this  end  nothing  contributes  more  than  the 
soft  and  delicate  plumage  willi  which  they  are  so  warmly  clotlied  ; 
and  though  the  wings,  or  great  organs  of  aijrial  motion  by  which 
they  swim,  as  it  were,  in  the  atmosphere,  are  formed  of  such  light 
materials,  yet  the  force  with  which  they  strike  the  air  is  so  great  aa 
to  impel  their  bodies  with  a  rapidity  unknown  to  the  swiftest  quad- 
ruped.    The  same  grand  intention  of  forming  a  class  of  animals  to 
move  in  tlie  and)ient  desert  they  occui)y  above  the  earth,  is  likewise 
visible  in  their  internal  structure.     Their  bones  are  light  and  thin, 
and  all  the  i  niscles  diminutive,  but  those  ai)propriated  for  moving 
the  wings.     The  lungs  are  placed  near  to  the  back-bone  and  ribs; 
and  the  air  is  not,  as  in  other  animals,  merely  confined  to  the  pul- 
monary organs,  but  passes  tlufugh,  and  is  then  conveyed  into  a 
number  of  membranous  cells  on  either  side  the  external  region  of 
the  heart,  communicating  with  others  situated  beueatli  the  chest.     In 
some   birds  these   cells  are  continued  down  the  wings,  extending 
even  to  the  pinions,  bones  of  the  thighs,  and  other  parts  of  the  body, 
virhich  can  bo  distended  with  air  at  the  pleasure  or  necessity  of  the 
animal.     This  dilTusion  of  air  is  not  only  intended  to  assist  in  light- 
ening and  elevating  the  body,  Imt  also  appears  necessary  to  prevent 
tlie  stopjiage  or  interruption  of  respiration,  which  would  otherwise 
follow  the  tapidity  of  iheir  mo.lon  through  the  resisting  atmosphere  ; 
and  thus  the  Ostrich,  though  deprived  of  the  power  of  flight,  runs 
almost  with  the  swiftness  of  the  wind,  and  requires,  af  he  poss.  sses, 
the  usual  resources  of  air  conferred  on  other  birds.     Were  it  possi- 
ble for  man  to  move  with  the  rapidity  of  a  Swallow,  the  resistance 
of  the  air,  without  some  such  peculiar  provision  as  in  birds,  would 


itants  of  the  iiir  and 
liiigi'  lii'iul,  fonnida- 
wide  shuuldcrs,  and 
ills,  or  pointed  jaws 
iitly  Kwelling  shoul- 
ated  to  a  point,  and 
ing,  and  tlius  fitted 

wide-extended  tail, 
roughout  tlie  whole 
e  of  lightness,  exists 
o  t'lat,  in  sliort,  we 
resting  tribe,  u  struc- 
ined  motion  tlirough 
every  part  of  the 
jutes  more  lliun  the 
!  so  warmly  clotjied  ; 
iai  motion  by  which 

formed  of  sncth  light 
[he  iiir  is  so  great  as 

to  the  swiftest  quad- 
a  class  of  animals  to 
the  eartli,  is  likewise 
es  are  liglit  and  thin, 
ropriated  for  moving 

back-bone  and  ribs ; 
y  confined  to  the  pul- 
hen  conveyed  into  a 
he  exteriKil  region  of 
leneath  the  chest.  In 
,he  wings,  extending 
iier  parts  of  the  body, 
•e  or  necessity  of  the 
ided  to  assist  in  light- 
necessary  to  prevent 
Inch  would  otlierwise 

resisting  atmosphere ; 

power  of  flight,  runs 
[uires,  af  he  possesses, 
birds.  Were  it  possi- 
svallow,  the  resistance 
ion  as  in  birds,  would 


INTRODUCTION.  3 

quickly  bring  on  suffocation.  Tlie  superior  vital  heat  of  this  class 
of  beings  is  likewise  probably  due  to  this  greater  aeration  of  the 
vital  fluid. 

Birds,  as  well  as  quadrupeds,  may  be  generally  distinguished 
into  two  ^reat  classes  from  tlie  food  on  which  they  are  dest'.ied 
to  subsist  ;  and  may,  conseiiuently,  be  termed  carnivorous  and 
granivorous.  Some  also  hold  a  middle'  nature,  or  partake  of  both. 
The  granivorous  and  herbivorous  birds  are  provided  with  larger 
and  longer  intestines  than  those  of  the  carnivorous  kinds.  Thei; 
food,  consisting  cliieHy  of  grain  of  various  sorts,  is  conveyed  whole 
into  the  crav;  or  first  stomacli,  where  it  is  softened  and  acted  upon 
by  a  peculiar  glandular  secretion  thrown  out  upon  it^  surface  ; 
it  is  then  again  conveyed  into  a  second  preparatory  digestive 
organ  ;  and  finally  transmitted  into  the  irue  str  ;;h  or  gizzard, 
formed  of  two  strong  nluscle^,,  connected  external!  ih  a  tendinous 
substance,  and  lined  internally  with  a  thick  membrane  of  great 
power  and  strength ;  and  in  this  place  the  unmasticated  food  is  at 
length  completely  triturated,  and  prepared  for  the  operation  of  the 
gastric  juice.  The  extraordinary  powers  of  the  gizzard  in  commi- 
nuting food,  to  prepare  it  for  digestion,  almost  exceeds  the  bounds 
of  credibility.  Turkeys  and  common  fowls  have  been  made  to 
swallow  sharp  angular  fi.igmenta  of  glass,  metallic  tubes,  and  l>alls 
armed  with  needles,  and  even  lancets,  which  were  found  broken 
nnd  compressed  without  any  api)areiit  pain  to  the  sulijects,  or 
wounds  in  the  stomach.  The  gravel  pebbles  swallowed  by  this  class 
of  birds  with  so  much  avidity,  thus  appear  useful  in  bruising  and 
comminuting  the  grain  they  feed  on,  and  preparing  it  for  the  solvent 
action  of  the  digestive  organs. 

Thdse  birds  which  live  chiefly  on  grain  and  vegetable  substances, 
partake  in  a  degree  of  tlie  nature  and  disposition  of  lierbivorous  quad- 
rupeds. In  both,  the  food  and  the  pro\ision  for  its  digestion,  are  very 
similar.  Alike  distinguished  for  sedentary  habits  and  gentleness 
of  manners,  their  lives  are  harmlessly  and  usefully  passed  in  col- 
lecting seeds  and  fruits,  and  ridding  tlie  earth  of  noxious  and 
destructive  insects ;  they  live  wholly  on  the  defensive  with  all  tlie 
feathered  race,  and  are  content  to  rear  and  defend  their  offspring 
from  the  attacks  of  their  enemies.  It  is  from  this  tractable  and 
gentle  race,  as  well  as  from  the  amphibious  or  aquatic  tribes,  that 
man  has  long  succeeded  in  obtaining  useful  and  domestic  species, 
which,  from  their  prolificacy  and  hardihood,  afford  n  vast  supply  of 
wholesome  and  nutritious  food.     Of  tliese,  the  Hen,  originally  from 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

India;  the  Goose.  Duck,  and  Pigeon  of  Europe ;  tlie  Turkey  of 
America;  and  tlie  Pintado  or  Guinea-Hen  of  Africa,  are  the  prin- 
cipiil:  to  whicli  may  also  be  added,  as  less  useful,  or  more  recently 
naturalized,  the  Peacock  of  India ;  the  Pheasant  of  the  same  coun- 
try ;  tlie  Cliinese  and  Canada  Goose ;  the  Muscovy  Duck ;  and  the 
European  Swan. 

CarnivoruB  birds,  by  many  striking  traits,  evince  the  destiny  for 
which  they  have  been  created ;  they  are  provided  with  wings  of 
great  length,  supported  by  jxiwerful  muscles,  which  enable  them  to 
fly  with  energy,  and  soar  %vitli  ease  at  the  loiliest  elevations  in  which 
they  are  visible.  Tliey  are  armed  with  strong  and  hooked  bills ; 
and  with  the  sharp  and  formidable  claws  of  the  tiger ;  they  are  also 
further  distinguished  by  their  hirge  heads,  short  necks,  strong  nuiBCU- 
lar  tliigiis  in  aid  of  their  retractile  talons,  and  a  sight  so  piercing,  as 
to  enable  them,  while  soaring  at  the  greatest  height,  to  perceive 
their  prey,  upon  whicli  they  sometimes  descend,  like  an  arrow, 
with  undeviating  aim'.  In  these  birds  the  stomach  is  smaller  than 
in  the  granivorous  kinds,  and  their  intestines  are  shorter.  Like 
beasts  of  prey,  they  are  of  a  fierce  and  unsociable  nature  ;  and 
BO  far  from  herding  together  like  the  inoffensive  tribes,  they  drive 
even  their  otf=ipring  from  the  eyry,  and  seek  habitually  the  shelter 
of  desert  rocks,  neglected  ruins,  or  the  solitude  of  the  darkest  forest, 
from  whence  they  utter  loud,  terrific,  or  piercing  cries,  in  accordance 
with  the  gloomy  rage  nnd  inquii'tude  of  their  insatiable  desires. 

Besides  these  grand  divisions  of  the  winged  nations,  there  are 
others,  which,  in  their  habits  and  manners,  might  be  compared  to 
the  amphibious  animals,  as  they  live  chiefly  on  the  water,  and  feed 
on  its  productions.  To  enable  them  to  swim  and  dive  in  quest 
ol  their  aquatic  food,  tlieir  toes  are  connected  by  broad  membranes 
or  webs,  with  which,  like  oars,  they  strike  the  water,  and  are  im- 
pelled with  force.  In  this  way  even  the  seas,  lakes,  and  rivers, 
abounding  with  fish,  insects,  and  seeds,  swarm  wUh  birds  of  various 
kinds,  which  all  obtain  an  abundant  supply.  There  are  other  aquatic 
birds,  frequenting  marshes  and  the  margins  of  lakes,  rivers,  and  the 
sea,  which  seem  to  partake  of  an  intermediate  nature  between  the 
land  and  water  tribes.  Some  of  these  feed  on  fishes  and  reptiles ; 
others,  with  long  and  sensilile  bills  and  e.xtended  necks,  seek  their 
food  in  wet  and  muddy  marshes.  These  birds  are  not  made  for 
swimming;  but,  familiar  witli  water,  they  wade,  and  many  follow 
the  edge  of  the  retiring  waves  of  the  sea,  gleaning  their  insect  prey 
at  tlie  recession  of  tlie  tides :  for  this  kind  of  life  nature  has  provided 


? ;  the  Turkey  of 
ica,  are  the  prin- 
or  more  recently 
if  the  same  coun- 
y  Duck ;  and  the 

le  the  destiny  for 
'd  witli  wings  of 
h  enable  them  to 
levationB  in  wliich 
jid  hooked  bills ; 
jer ;  they  are  also 
■ks,  strong  niiiscu- 
rlit  so  piercing,  as 
>iglit,  to  perceive 
1,  like  an  arrow, 
h  is  smaller  than 
re  shorter.  Like 
:ible  nature  ;  and 
tribes,  they  drive 
itually  the  shelter 
the  darkes-t  forest, 
ies,  in  accordance 
iable  desires, 
lations,  there  ar« 
t  be  compared  to 
e  water,  and  feed 
nd  dive  in  quest 
broad  membranes 
iter,  and  are  im- 
lakes,  and  rivers, 
h  birds  of  various 
e  are  other  aquatic 
es,  rivers,  and  the 
iture  between  tiie 
ihes  and  reptiles; 
necks,  seek  their 
are  not  made  for 
and  many  follow 
r  their  insect  prey 
iture  has  provided 


INTRODUCTION.  " 

them  With  long  legs,  bare  of  feathers  even  above  the  knees ;  their 
toes,  unconnected  by  webs,  are  only  partially  furnished  w.th  mem- 
branous appendages,  just  suihcient  to  support  then,  on  the  soft  and 
bog.ry  grounds  they  frequent.  To  this  tribe  belong  the  Cranes, 
Snipes,  Sandpipers,  Woodcocks,  and  many  others. 

In  comparing  the  senses  of  animals  in  connexion  with  tlieir  in- 
stinct,  we  find  that  of  sight  to  be  more  extende.l,  more  acute,  and 
more  distinct  in  birds,  in  general,  than  in  quadrupeds.     1  say,  in 
general,  for  there  are  some  birds,  such  as  the  Owls,  wliose  vision  is 
iess  clear  thau  that  of  quadrupeds  ;  but  this  rather  results  from  the  ex- 
treme sensibility  of  the  eye;  which,  though  dazzled  with  the  glare  of 
full  day.  nicely  distinguishes  even  small  objects,  by  the  ai.l  oi  twi- 
light.    In  all  birds  the  organ  of  sight  is  furnished  with  two  mem- 
branes,  an  external  and  internal,  additional  to   those   which  occur 
in  the  human  subject.    The  former  (membrana  niclitan»)  or  external 
membru,ie,  is  situated  in  the  larger  angle  of  the  eye  ;  and  is,  in 
fact,   a  second   and   more   transparent  eye-lid,  whose  motions  are 
directed  at  pleasure,  and  its  use,  besides  occasionally  cleaning  and 
polishing  the  cornea,  is  to  temper  the  excess  of  light,  and  adjust 
the  quantity  admitted  to  the  extreme  delicacy  of  the  organ.     The 
other  membrane,  situated  at  the  bottom  of  the  eye,  appears  to  be 
an  expansion  of  the  optic  nerve,  which  receiving  more  immediately 
the  impressions  of  the  light,  must  be  much  more  sensible  than  in 
other  animals;  and  consequently  the  sight  is  in  birds  far  more  per. 
feet,  and  embraces  a  wider  range.     Fads  and  observations  bear  out 
this  conclusion,  for  a  Sparrow-llawk,  while    hovering    in  the  air, 
perceives  a  lark  or  other  small  bird  sitting  on  the  ground,  at  twenty 
times  the  distance  tluil  such  an  object  would  be  visible  to  a  man  or 
dog      \  Kite,  which  soars  beyond  the  reach  of  human  vision,  yet 
di8tin.ruishes  a  lizard,  field-mouse,  or  bird,  and  from  this  lofty  station 
selects  the  tiny  object  of  his  prey,  descending  upon  it  in  nearly  a 
perpendicular  line.     But  it  may  also  be  added,  that  this  prodigious 
extent  of  vision  is  likewise  accompanied  with  e.pial  accuracy  and 
clearness;  for  the  eye  can  dilate  or  contract,  be  shaded  or  exposed, 
depressed  or  made  protuberant,  so  as  readily  to  assume  the  precise 
form  suited  to  the  degree  of  light  and  the  distance  of  the  object; 
the  organ  thus  answering,  as  it  were,  the  purpose  of  a  self-adjusting 
telescope,  with  a  shade  for  examining  the  most  luminous  and  daz- 
zling objects  ;  and  hence  the  Eagle  is  often  seen  to  ascend  to  the 
higher  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  gozing  on  the  unclouded  sun,  M 
on  an  ordinary  and  familiar  object. 

r 


^WiW 


6 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  rapid  motions  executed  by  birds,  hare  also  a  reference  to  the 

perfection  of  tiieir  vision  ;  for,  if  iiiiture,  wiiile  she  endowed  them 
witii  great  ng-ilily  and  vast  niuaculnr  strengtli,  liad  left  tlieiii  as  short- 
sighted as  ourselves,  their  latent  powers  would  have  availed  thorn 
nothing;  and  the  dangers  of  a  perpetually  impeded  progress  would 
have  repressed  or  extinguislifd  llu-ir  ardor.  We  may  then,  in  gen- 
eral, consider  the  celerity  with  which  an  animal  moves,  as  a  just 
indication  of  the  perfection  of  its  vision.  A  bird,  tlierefore,  shooting 
Bwitlly  tlirough  the  air,  nmst  undoubtedly  see  better  than  ona 
which  sliiwly  describes  a  waving  tract.  The  weak-sighted  Bat, 
flying  carefully  througli  bars  of  willow,  even  when  the  eyes  were  ex- 
tinguished, may  seem  to  suggest  an  exception  to  this  rule  of  relative 
velocity  and  vision  ;  but  in  this  case,  as  in  that  of  some  blind  indi- 
viduals of  tlie  human  si)ecies,  the  exquisite  auditory  apparatus  seems 
capable  of  supplying  tiie  defect  of  sij-ht.  Nor  are  the  ttickerings  of 
the  Bat,  constantly  perfornuHl  in  a  narrow  circuit,  at  all  to  be  com- 
pared to  the  distant  'and  lofty  soarings  of  the  &igle,  or  the  wide 
wanderings  of  the  smaller  birds,  who  often  annually  pass  and  repass 
from  the  arctic  circle  to  tlie  ecpiator. 

The  idon  of  motion,  and  all  the  other  ideas  connected  with  it, 
such  as  those  of  relative  volocities,  extent  of  country,  the  i)ropor- 
tional  height  of  eminences,  and  of  the  various  inequalities  that 
prevail  on  the  surface,  are  therefore  more  precise  in  birds,  and 
occupy  u  larger  share  of  their  conceptions,  than  in  the  grovelling 
quadrupeds.  Nature  would  seem  to  liove  pointed  out  this  sujieriority 
of  vision,  by  the  more  conspicnous  and  elalwrate  structure  of  its 
organ  ;  for  in  birds  the  eye  is  larger  in  proportion  to  the  bulk  of  the 
head  than  in  quadrupeds  ;  it  is  also  more  delicate  and  finely  fash- 
ioned, and  the  impressions  it  receives  must  consequently  excite 
more  vivid  ideas. 

Another  cause  of  difference  in  the  instinct*  of  birds  and  quad- 
rupeds, is  the  nature  of  tiie  element  in  which  they  live.  Birds 
know  better  than  man,  the  degrees  of  resistance  in  the  air,  its  tem- 
perature at  different  heights,  its  relative  density,  and  many  other 
particulars,  probably,  of  which  we  can  form  no  adequate  conception. 
They  foresee  more  than  we,  and  indicate  better  than  our  weather- 
glasses, the  changes  which  hapi>en  in  that  voluble  fluid ;  for  often 
have  they  contended  with  the  violence  of  the  wind,  and  still  oftener 
have  they  borrowed  the  advantage  of  its  aid.  Tlie  Eagle,  soaring 
above  the  clouds,  m  at  will  escape  the  scene  of  the  storm,  and 
in   the   lofty  region   of  calm,   far   within   the   aerial   boundary  of 


<T^'J<ljr|l(lr.fil)<,«i"- 


reference  to  tho 
e  endowed  them 
eft  tlieiii  as  sllort- 
Lve  availed  thorn 
1  progress  would 
lay  tlien,  in  j,'en- 
nioves,  us  a  just 
lerefore,  shooting 
better  than  one 
■enk-siglited  Bat, 
the  eyes  were  ex- 
is  rule  of  relaliye 
some  blind  indi- 
■  apparatus  seenia 
the  flickerings  of 
It  all  to  be  com- 
gle,  or  the  wide 
y  pass  and  repass 

mnected  with  it, 
ntry,  the  i)ropor- 
inequalities  that 
ise  in  birds,  and 
in  the  grovelling 
■ut  this  suj)eriority 
e  structure  of  its 
to  the  bulk  of  tha 
e  and  finely  fash- 
nsequently  excite 

if  birds  and  quad- 
they  live.  Birds 
n  the  air,  its  tem- 
',  and  many  other 
equate  conception, 
.han  our  weather- 
lie  fluid  ;  for  often 
id,  and  still  oftener 
^he  Eagle,  soaring 
of  the  storm,  and 
lerial   boundary  of 


INTnODUCTION.  ' 

eternal  frost,"  enjoy  a  serene  sky  and  a  bright  sun,  while  the  terres- 
Uial  auin.als  ren.aiu  involved  in  darkness,  and  exposed  to  all  the 
fury  of  the  ten.pest.     In  twe,>ty.four  hours  it  can  cha..ge  its  clnnate, 
and  sailin.r  over  dirtVrent  countries,  it  will  forn,  a  picture  e.xceedmg 
the  powers  of  the  p.-ncd  ..r  the  imagination.     The  -luadrnped  knows 
only  the  spot  where  it  feeds,  its  valley,  mountai..,  or  plam ;  U  Ims 
no  conception  of  the  expanse  of  surface,  or  of  remote  distances,  and 
generally  no  desire  to  push  forward  its  excursions  beyond  its  im- 
mediate wants.     Hence  remote  journeys  and  extensive  niigrations 
are  as  rare  among  .p.adrupeds,  as  they  are  fre.p.ent  among  birds.     It 
is  this  desire,  founded  on  their  acquaintance  with  foreign  countries, 
on  the  consciousness  of  their  expeditious  course,  and  on  their   ore- 
sight  of  the  changes  that  will   happen   in  the  atmosphere    and    he 
revolutions  of  seasons,  that  prompts  them  to  retire  together  at  Uie 
powerf.il  smrgestions   of  an  unerring   instinct.     When   tlie.r  lood 
begins  to  fail,  or  the  cold  and  heat  to  incommode  them,  their  in- 
nate feeluiTS  and  latent  powers  urge  them  to  seek  the  necessary 
remedy  for  the  evils   that  threaten  their  being.     The   inquietude 
of  the  old  is  communicated  to  the  young;  and  collecting  in  troops, 
by  common  consent,  influenced  by  tlie  same  general  wants,  im- 
pressed Willi  the  approaching  changes  in  the  circumstances  of  the.r 
existence,  they  give  way  to  the  strong  reveries  of  instinct,  and  wmg 
their  way  over  land  and  sea  to  some  distant  and  better  country. 

Comimiii..r  animals  with  each  other,  we  soon  perceive  that  smell, 
in  general,  is  much  more  acute  among  the  quadrupeds  than  among 
the  birds.     Even  the  pretended  scent  of  the  Vulture  is  imaginary, 
as   he   does  not  perceive  the  tainted  carrion,  on  which  he  feeds, 
through  a   wicker  basket,  though  its  odor  is  as  potent  as  in  the 
open  air.     This  choice  also  of  decaying  flesh,  is  probably  regulated 
by   his  necessities,  and  the  deficiency  of  his  muscular  powers  to 
attack  a  living,  or  even  tear  in  pieces  a  recent  prey.     The  structure 
of  the  olfactory  orgcn,  in  birds,  is  obviously  inferior  to  that  of  quad- 
rupeds; the  external  nostrils  are  wanting,  and  those  odors  which 
might  excite  sensation  have  access  only  to  the  duct  leading  from  the 
palate  •  and  even  in  those,  where  the  organ  is  disclosed,  the  nerves, 
which  take  their  origin  from  it,  are  far  from  being  so  numerous,  so 
large,  or  so  expanded  as  in  the  quadrupeds.     We  may,  therefore, 
regard  touch  in  man,  smell  in  the  quadruped,  and  sight  in  birds,  aa 


.  Tho  monn  heights  of  ctornol  frost,  under  the  cqnuior,  and  nl  the  latiludo  of  30» 
and  60°,  are  respectively  15,«)7  ;  li,484,  and  3,818  feet. 


8 


INTnODUCTION. 


reBpectively  the  tliree  most  jierfect  senses,  which  exercise  a  general 
inflnenre  on  tlie  character. 

Atler  sight,  tile  most  perfect  of  the  senses  in  Wrds  oppenrs  to  be 
heariilif,  wiiicli  Ik  even  NUi)erior  to  that  of  the  iiuiulrupeds,  and 
scarcely  exceeded  in  tiie  liuniiui  species.  We  perceive  witli  wliat 
facility  they  retain  ami  repeat  tones,  successions  of  notes,  and  even 
discourse  ;  we  delight  to  listen  to  tlieir  unwearied  songs,  to  tlie  in- 
cessant warl)lin{r  of  Iheir  tuneful  atfection.  Tlieir  ear  and  throat 
are  more  ductile  and  powerful  than  in  other  aniuialn,  aiul  their  voice 
more  capacious  and  generally  ogreeahle.  A  Crow,  which  is  scarcely 
more  than  the  thousandth  part  the  size  of  an  ox,  may  be  heard  as 
far,  or  farther;  tli?  Nightingale  can  fill  a  wider  space  with  its  music 
tlian  the  human  voice.  This  prodigious  e.\teiit  and  power  of  sound 
depend  entirely  on  the  structure  of  their  organs ;  but  the  support 
and  continuance  of  their  song  result  solely  Ironi  their  internal 
emotions. 

The  windpipe  is  wider  and  stronger  in  birds  than  in  any  other 
class  of  animals,  and  usually  terminates  below  in  a  large  cavity  that 
augments  the  sound.  Tlie  lungs  too  have  greater  extent,  and  com- 
municate with  internal  cavities,  which  are  capable  of  being  expanded 
with  air,  and,  besides  lightening  the  body,  give  additional  force  to  the 
voice.  Indeed  the  formation  of  the  thorax,  the  lungs,  and  all  the 
organs  connected  with  these,  seem  expressly  calculated  to  give  force 
and  duration  to  their  utterance. 

Another  circumstance,  showing  the  great  power  of  voice  in  birds, 
ia  the  distance  at  which  they  are  audible  in  the  higher  regions  of  the 
atmosphere.  An  Eagle  may  rise  at  least  to  the  height  of  17,000 
feet,  for  it  is  t)iere  just  visible.  Flocks  of  Storks  and  Geese  may 
mount  still  higlier,  since,  notwithstanding  the  8))ace  they  occupy, 
they  soar  almost  out  of  sight ;  their  cry  will  therefore  be  heard  from 
an  altitude  of  more  than  three  miles,  and  is  at  least  four  times  as 
powerful  as  the  voice  of  men  and  quadrupeds. 

Sweetness  of  voice  and  melody  of  song  are  qualities,  which  in 
birds  are  partly  natural  and  partly  acquired.  The  facility  with 
which  they  catch  and  repeat  sounds,  enables  them  not  only  to  bor- 
row from  each  other,  but  often  even  to  copy  the  more  difficult 
inflections  and  tones  of  the  human  voice,  as  well  as  of  musical 
instruments.  It  is  remarkable,  that,  in  the  tropical  regicms,  while  the 
birds  ore  arrayed  in  the  most  glowing  colors,  their  voices  are  hoarse, 
grating,  singular,  or  terrific.  Our  sylvan  Orpheus,  the  Mocking-bird, 
the  Brown  Thrush,  the  Warbling  Flycatcher ;  as  well  as  the  Linnet, 


exerciHe  a  general 

irdii  nppt^nrB  to  be 
(|ua(lnipf(lH,  and 
'ici'ive  witli  wliat 
f  notes,  and  even 
I  sdiigH,  to  the  in- 
■ir  t'iir  ami  throat 
Is,  and  tlii'ir  voice 
,  which  is  scarcely 
,  may  be  heard  as 
lice  with  its  music 
d  power  of"  sound 
i ;  but  the  sii))port 
om  their    internal 

than  in  any  other 
a  liirge  cavity  that 
extent,  and  com- 
oflji'incr  expanded 
itional  force  to  the 
lungs,  and  all  the 
lated  to  give  force 

r  of  voice  in  birds, 
jiier  regions  of  the 
3  heiglit  of  17,000 
s  and  Geese  may 
)ace  tiiey  occupy, 
fore  be  heard  from 
east  four  times  as 

ualities,  which  in 
The  tiicility  with 
n  not  only  to  bor- 
the  more  diflicult 
ell  as  of  musical 
regi(ms,  while  the 
voices  are  hoarse, 
the  Mocking-bird, 
ivell  as  the  Liimet, 


INTRODUCTION. 


9 


the  Thrush,  the  Blackbird,  and  the  Nightingale  of  Europe,  preemi- 
nent for  song,  are  all  of  the  [ilainest  colors  and  weakest  tints. 

The  natunil  tones  of  birds,  setting  aside  those  derived  from  edu- 
cation, express  tlie  various  modifications  of  their  wants  and  passions; 
they  ciiange  even  according  to  the  ditl'erent  times  and  circumstances. 
The  females  are  mudi  more  silent  than  the  males ;  they  have  cries 
of  pain  or  fear,  murmurs  of  in(|uietiide  or  solicitude,  especially  for 
tlieir  young;  but  song  is  generally  withheld  from  tliem.  The  song 
of  the  male  is  inspired  by  tender  emotion,  he  chants  liis  atl'ectionate 
lay  with  a.  sonorous  voice,  and  the  female  replies  in  I'eeble  accents. 
The  Nightingale,  when  he  first  arrives  in  the  spring,  without  his 
mute,  is  silent;  he  begins  his  lay  in  low,  faultering,  and  unfrequent 
airs;  and  it  is  not  until  his  consort  sits  on  her  eggs,  that  liis  en- 
chanting melody  is  complete ;  he  then  tries  to  relieve  and  anmse 
her  tedious  hours  of  incubation,  and  warbles  more  pathetically  and 
variably  his  amorous  and  soothing  tale.  In  a  state  of  nature  this 
propensity  for  song  only  continues  through  tlie  breeding  season,  for 
after  that  period  it  either  entirely  ceases,  becomes  enfeebled,  or  loses 
its  sweetness. 

Conjugal  fidelity  and  parental  affection  are  among  the  most  con- 
spicuous traits  of  the  feathered  tribes.  The  pair  unite  their  labors 
in  preparing  for  the  accommodation  of  their  expected  progeny;  and 
during  the  time  of  incubation,  their  participation  of  the  same  cares 
and  solicitudes  continually  augments  their  mutual  attachment. 
When  the  young  appear,  a  new  source  of  care  and  jileasure  opens 
to  them,  still  strengthening  the  ties  of  affection  ;  and  the  tender 
charge  of  rearing  and  defending  their  infant  brood  requires  the 
joint  attention  of  both  parents.  The  warmth  of  first  aflection  is  tlius 
succeeded  by  calm  and  steady  attachment,  which  by  degrees  ex- 
tends, witiiout  suffering  any  diminution,  to  the  rising  branches  of 
the  family. 

This  conjugal  union,  in  the  rapacious  tribe  of  birds,  the  Eagles 
and  Hawks,  as  well  as  with  the  Ravens  and  Crows,  continues  com- 
monly through  life.  Among  many  other  kinds  it  is  also  of  long  endur- 
ance, as  we  may  perceive  in  our  common  Pewee  and  the  Blue-bird, 
who  year  after  year  continue  to  frequent  and  build  in  the  same  cave, 
box,  or  hole  in  the  decayed  orchard  tree.  But,  in  general,  this  asso- 
ciation of  the  sexes  expires  with  the  season,  after  it  has  completed 
the  intentions  of  reproduction,  in  the  preservation  and  rearing^ of 
the  offspring.  The  appearance  even  of  sexual  distinction,  often 
vanishes  in  the  autumn,  when  both  the  parents  and  their  young  are 


10 


INTUODUCTION. 


then  Bpen  in  the  same  humble  and  oblivtoug  dreBS.  When  tliey 
orrivc  aj,'iiiu  iiniongBt  ub  in  tlie  Hprinj,',  tlic  iimU'B  in  flocks,  often 
by  llieMiBclveB,  are  cliid  anew  in  llieir  nuptial  livery;  and  with 
vigorous  soniTB.  after  tlie  chet  riess  sih^nce  in  which  they  have  passed 
the  winter,  they  now  seeit  out  their  mateH,  and  warmly  contest  the 
right  to  tlieir  exclusive  favor. 

With  regard  to  food,  hirds  have  a  more  ample  latitude  than  quad- 
rupeds; liesh,  lish,  ampliihia,  reptiles,  inseets,  f'rnilB,  grain,  seeds, 
roots,  herbs  ;  in  a  word,  whatever  lives  or  vegetates.  Nor  are  they  very 
select  in  tlieir  choice,  hut  often  catch  inditlVrently  at  what  they  can 
most  ea.sily  olilnin.  Their  sense  of  taste  appears  indeed  mufh  less 
acute  than  in  <piadrupeds  :  for,  if  we  e.xriptsueh  as  are  carnivorous, 
their  tongue  and  palate  are,  in  general,  hard,  and  almost  cartilagin- 
ous. Sight  and  scent  can  alone  direct  them,  though  they  posses* 
the  latter  in  an  inferior  degree.  The  greater  luunher  swallow  with- 
out tasting;  an  maslieation,  whidi  constitutes  the  chief  pleasure  in 
eating,  iB  entirely  wanting  to  them.  As  their  horny  jiiws  are  unpro- 
viiied  with  teeth,  tlie  food  undergoes  no  preparation  in  the  mouth, 
but  is  swallowed  in  unhruised  and  untasted  morsel:?.  Yet  there  is 
reason  to  believe,  that  the  first  action  of  the  stomach,  or  its  pre- 
paratory veiltrictilun,  affords  in  some  degree  the  ruminating  gratilica- 
tion  of  taste,  as  after  swallowing  food,  in  some  insectivorous  and 
carnivorous  birds,  the  motion  of  the  mandibles,  exactly  like  that  of 
ordinary  tasting,  can  hardly  be  conceived  to  exist  without  conveying 
some  degree  of  gratitying  sensation. 

The  clothing  of  birds  varies  with  the  habits  and  climates  they  inhabit. 
The  aquatic  tribes,  and  those  which  live  in  northern  regions,  are 
provided  with  an  almnilance  of  plumage  and  fine  down  ;  from  which 
circumstance  often  we  may  form  a  correct  judgment  of  their  natal 
regions.  In  all  cliinntes,  aquatic  birds  are  almost  equally  feathered, 
and  are  provided  with  posterior  glands  containing  an  oily  subsUmce 
for  anointing  their  feathers,  which,  aided  by  their  thickness,  pre- 
vents the  admission  of  moisture  to  their  bodiea.  These  glands  are 
less  conspicuous  iii  laud-birds,  unless,  like  the  fishing  Eagles,  their 
habits  be  to  plunge  in  the  water  in  pursuit  of  their  prey. 

The  general  structure  of  feathers  seems  puriiosely  adapted  both 
for  warmth  of  clothing  and  security  of  flight.  In  the  wings  of  all 
birds  which  fly,  the  webs  composing  the  vunes,  or  plumy  sides  of 
the  feather,  mutually  interlock  by  means  of  regular  rows  of  slender 
hair-like  teeth,  so  that  the  feather,  except  at  and  towards  its  base, 
serves  as  a  complete  and  close  screen  from  the  weather  on  the  one 


INTRODUCTION. 


u 


e»t.  Wlien  they 
'8  in  flocks,  often 
livery  ;  anil  with 
1  they  hiivf  piiHHed 
ariiily  coiitt'st  t!ia 

titiule  than  qund- 
riiilH.  ffriiin,  scedg, 

Noriire  thi'y  very 
'  nt  wiiat  they  can 

indeed  nmch  Ie«s 
IS  are  (•arnivorouB, 
1  alimiHt  cartilagin- 
cnigli  they  posiie»« 
iber  swallow  with- 
e  rhiefplfaHnre  in 
ny  jaws  are  unpro- 
tion  in  the  mouth, 
wle.  Yet  there  is 
oniach,  or  it«  pre- 
niinaling  gralitica- 

insectivorous  and 
■xartly  like  that  of 
witliout  conveying 

iniates  they  inhabit, 
•them  regions,  are 
Jown ;  from  which 
lent  of  tlieir  natal 
:  equally  feathered, 
f  an  oily  substance 
leir  thickness,  pre- 

These  glands  are 
diing  Eagles,  their 
r  prey. 

osely  adapted  both 
n  the  wings  of  all 

or  plumy  sides  of 
lar  rows  of  slender 
d  towards  its  base, 
veather  on  the  one 


hand,  and  as  an  impermeable  oar  on  the  other,  when  situated  in  the 
wing,  and  re(|uirt'il  t'>  catch  and  retain  the  impulse  of  the  air.  In 
the  birds  which  do  not  lly,  and  inhabit  warm  climates,  the  feuthero 
are  few  and  thin,  and  their  lateral  webs  are  usually  separate,  as  in  the 
Ostrich,  Cassowary,  Kmu,  and  extinct  Dodo.  la  some  cases 
feathers  seem  to  |>ass  into  the  hairs,  which  oriliiuirily  clothe  the 
quadrupeds,  as  in  the  Cassowary,  and  others;  and  the  base  of  tll« 
bill  in  many  birds  is  usually  surrounded  willi  these  capillary  plumes. 
The  greater  number  of  birds  cast  their  feathers  annually,  and 
appear  to  suliVr  iiiucli  more  from  it  than  the  <pia(h'U[)eds  do  from  a 
similar  change.  The  best  fed  fowl  ceases  at  tliis  time  to  lay.  The 
season  of  moulting  is  generally  the  end  of  summer  or  autuum,  and 
their  feathers  are  not  cotnpletely  restored  till  the  spring.  The  male 
sometimes  underL'oes,  as  we  have  already  remarked,  an  adilitioiuil 
moult  towards  the  close  of  sunmier  ;  and  among  many  of  the  waders 
and  web-footed  tribes,  as  Sandpipers,  Plovers,  and  Gulls,  both  sexes 
experience  a  moult  twice  in  the  year,  so  that  their  sununer  and 
winti^r  livery  appears  wholly  ditVerent. 

The  stratagems  and  contrivances  instinctively  employed  by  birds  for 
tlieir  support  and  jjrotection,  are  peculiarly  remarkable  ;  in  this  way 
tliose  which  are  weak  are  enabled  to  elude  the  pursuit  of  the  strong 
and  rapacious.  Sooie  are  even  screened  from  the  attacks  of  their 
enemies  by  an  arrangement  of  colors  assimilated  to  the  places  which 
they  most  freipient  for  subsistence  and  repose  :  thus  the  Wryneck 
is  scarcely  to  be  distinguished  from  the  tree  on  which  it  seeks  its 
food  ;  or  the  Snipe  from  the  soil  and  springy  ground  which  it  fre- 
quents. The  Great  Plover  finds  its  chief  security  in  stony  places, 
to  which  its  colors  are  so  nicely  adapted,  that  the  most  exact  observer 
may  be  deceived.  The  same  resort  is  taken  advantage  of  by  the 
Night-IIawk,  Partridge,  Plover,  and  the  American  Quail,  the  young 
brood  of  which  s(piat  on  the  ground,  instinctively  conscious  of  being 
nearly  invisible,  from  tlieir  close  resemblance  to  the  broken  ground 
on  which  they  lie,  and  trust  to  this  natural  concealment.  The  same 
kind  of  deceptive  and  protecting  artifice  is  often  employed  by  birds 
to  conceal,  or  render  the  external  appearance  of  their  nests  ambigu- 
ous. Thus  the  European  Wren  forms  its  nest  externally  of  hay,  if 
against  a  hay-rick  ;  covered  with  lichens,  if  the  tree  chosen  is  so 
clad;  or  made  of  green  moss,  when  the  decayed  trunk  in  which  it 
is  built,  is  thus  covered ;  and  then,  wholly  closing  it  above,  leaves 
only  a  concealed  entry  in  the  side.     Our  Humming-bird,  by  external 


i 


12 


iNTnonucTioff. 


I 


patcliei  of  liolipn,  gives  lit-r  netit  the  ni)|)enrnnre  of  a  mow  grown 
knot.  A  Hiiiiiliir  tirtifici'  in  eniplnypd  l>y  <>iir  Yellow  BreiiMteii  Fly- 
catrlier  or  Viren,  mid  olliefH.  Tlii"  (loidt-n-CrowiUMl  TliriiHli  (Si/lvia 
aurocapilla)  inald'H  ii  ih'mI  liku  iiii  oven,  tTiHtinj;  an  arch  over  it,  ao 
perttictly  reHembling  the  tiiHHiirii  in  'vhit;h  it  m  concealed,  that  it  ii 
only  disroverahle  by  the  emotion  of  the  female  when  Hturtled  from 
iti)  rovert. 

The  lJuti!her-t>iril  Ih  said  to  draw  around  him  hin  feathered 
victims  by  trearherou«ly  imitalinji  their  notes.  The  Kinjrfisher  of 
Europe  in  believed  to  allure  his  prey  by  displaying  the  brilliancy 
of  his  colors,  ns  he  sits  near  some  seijuestereil  place  on  the  margin 
of  a  rivulet ;  the  fish,  attracted  by  llie  spleiidnr  of  liis  flMllering  and 
expanded  wings,  are  detained,  while  the  wily  fiMher  takes  an  un- 
erring aiii.  *  The  Krne,  and  our  Hald  Eagle,  gain  a  great  part  of 
their  subsistence  by  watching  tlie  success  of  the  Fish-llawk,  and 
robbing  him  of  liis  finny  prey  as  soon  as  it  is  caught.  In  tlie  same 
way  also  tlie  rapacious  Burgomaster  or  tilaucus  (iull  (iMrnn  fflaucu.^) 
of  the  North,  levies  his  tribute  of  food  from  all  the  smaller  species 
of  his  race,  who  knowing  his  strength  and  ferocity,  are  seldom  in- 
clined to  dispute  his  piratical  clainiH.  Heveral  species  of  t'nckoo, 
and  the  Cow-Trnopial  of  America,  hiibitually  deposit  their  eggs  in 
tlie  nests  of  otiier  small  birds,  to  whose  deceived  affection  are  com- 
mitted the  preservation  and  rearing  of  the  parasitic  and  vagrant 
brood.  The  instinctive  arts  fif  birds  are  numerous;  but  treachery, 
like  that  which  obtains  in  these  parasitic  species,  is  among  tlie 
rarest  expedients  of  nature  in  the  feathered  tribes ;  though  not  un- 
common among  some  insect  families. 

The  art  dispjuyeil  by  birds  in  the  construction  of  their  temporary 
habitations,  or  nests,  is  al.so  deserving  of  passing  attention.  Among 
tJie  Gallinaceous  tribe,  including  our  land  domestic  species,  as  well 
BB  the  aquatic  and  wading  kinds,  scarcely  any  attempt  at  a  nest  is 
made.  The  birds  which  swarm  along  the  sea-coast,  often  deposit 
tlieir  eggs  on  the  bare  ground,  sand,  or  slight  dejiressions  in  shelving 
rocks ;  governed  alone  by  grosser  wants,  their  mutual  attachment  is 
feeble  or  nugatory,  and  neither  art  nor  instinct  prompts  attention  to 
tlie  construction  of  a  nest,  the  less  necessary,  indeed,  as  the  young 
take  to  the  water  as  soon  as  hatched,  and  early  release  themselves 
from  parental  dependence.     The  habits  of  the  other  aquatic  birds 


•  Tho  bri;5iit  fcntliors  of  thia  liinl  ont<»r  oflon  succcaarully,  villi  ollierii,  into  tli6 
eompoaition  of  tlio  most  attractive  artificial  tlio«  ciniiloyed  b;  ungieii. 


pro] 
witi 


of  a  1110*1  ^rnwn 
low  HreiiMtctl  Fly- 
cil  TliniHli  (Si/h<ia 
II  arch  liver  it,  ao 
iiiot-nled,  tlint  it  it 
I'licu  Htartlcd  from 

im  iiiH  fciitliored 
riif  Kliijfl'wlit'r  of 
ill);  tiiH  liriilianoy 
iici-  III)  till'  iiiiir^ln 

liix  llulti'rin^  uiul 
lipr  tttkpii  an  un- 
lin  n  great  pnrt  of 

Fisli-llawk,  niul 
rjil.  In  the  name 
II  (Lanis  )ri,iueuii) 
he  Hiimller  species 
ity,  are  nelilniii  in- 
lecies  of  C-iii'koo, 
osit  their  egga  in 
ali'ection  are  coin- 
gitic  and  vagrant 
H ;  hut  treachery, 
i'8,  in  aiiionjr  tite 
;  though  not  un- 

f  their  temporary 
Itention.  Among 
ic  species,  as  well 
Mnpt  at  a  nest  is 
list,  often  deposit 
ssions  in  shelving 
tiial  attachment  is 
iinpts  attention  to 
jed,  as  tlie  young 
'lease  themselveg 
her  aquatic  birds 


V'itli  otlierii,  into  the 
ingloia. 


INTRODUCTION. 


18 


ar.  not  very  d,«.„nilnr  to  these;  yet  it  is  .i„g„Io,  ,o  rem„k,  that 
while  our  coinnmn  geese  and  ducks,  like  domestic  fowls,  have  no 
permanent  selective  attachment  for  tluir  mates,  the  Canadian  Wild- 
g.M.se,  the  K.der-.luck,  and  some  others,  are  constantly  an.l  faithfully 
paired  through  the  «ea«.n ;  so  that  this  neglect  of  cmfortahle  ac- 
commodation  for  the  young  in  the  fahrication  of  an  artificial  nest 
common  u,  these  with  the  rest  of  tlieir  tr.I.e,  has  less  connexion 
with  the  requisition  of  mutual  aid,  than  with  Uie  hardy  and  pre- 
cocious  habits  of  these  uninusital,  coarse,  and  retiriii.r  birds.  It  is 
true,  that  some  of  them  show  considerable  aildress,  if  little  of  art 
ui  providing  security  for  their  brood  ;  i„  this  way  some  of  th«' 
Kazor-bills  (including  the  Coniiiion  I'urtin)  do  not  trust  the  exposure 
ol  their  eggs,  like  the  Gulls,  who  rather  rely  on  the  solilud,.  of  their 
retreat,  than  art  in  its  defence  ;  but  with  consiilerabb.  labor  some 
of  the  Alcas  form  a  deep  burrow  fur  the  security  of  their  ejrtfs  and 
young. 

Birds  of  the  same  genus  differ  much  in  their  modes  of  nidification. 
Thus  the  Martin  makes  a  nest  within  a  rough-cast  rampart  of  mud, 
and  enters  by  a  Hat  opening  in  the  upper  edge.     The  Clitf  Swallow 
of  Bonaparte,  seen  about  Portland   in   Maine  and  Nova  Scotia,  as 
well  as  in  the  remote   regions  of  the  West,  conceals  its  warm  and 
feathered  nest  in  a  receptacle  of  agglutinated  mud,  resembling  a 
narrow-necked  purse  or  retort.     Another  species,  in  the  Indian  seas, 
forms  a  small  receptacle  for  its  young  entirely  of  interlaced  gelatin-' 
ous  fibres,  provided  by  the  mouth  and  stomach  ;  these  fabrics,  stuck 
in  clusters  against  the  rocks,  are  collected  by  the  Cliinese.  and'boiled 
and  eaten  in  soups  us  the  rarest  delicacy.     The  Haak-Martin,  like 
the  King. Fisher,  burrows  deep  into  the  friable  banks  of  rivers  to 
secure  a  depository  for  its  scantily  feathered  nest.     The  Chimney. 
Swallow,  originally  an  inhabitant  of  hollow  trees,  builds  in  empty 
chimneys  a  mere  nest   of  agglutinated  twigs.      The  Woodj)ecker 
Nutliatch,  Titmouse,  and  our  rural  Blue-Bird,  secure  their  «pung 
in  hollow   trees;    and  the    first  often  gouge  and  dig  throu^i   the 
solid  wood  with  the  success  and  industry  of  instinctive  carpenters, 
and  without  the  aid  of  any  other  chisel  than  their  wedged  bills. 

But  the  most  consummate  ingenuity  of  ornithal  architecture  is 
displayed  by  the  smaller  and  more  social  tribes  of  birds,  who,  in 
proportion  to  their  natural  enemies,  foreseen  by  nature,  are  provided 
with  the  means  of  instinctive  defence.  In  this  labor  botli  sexes 
generally  unite,  and  are  sometimes  occupied  a  week  or  more  in 
completing  this  temporary  habitation  for  their  young.     AVe  can  only 


u 


'NTRODl'CTION. 


glano*  at  •  f*w  oxkinpIeK,  rhu-fty  dninfitlc  ;  »inc»  to  giv*  iiny  tUing 
Ilk  a  general  vii-w  of  thin  mibjfrt  nf  iho  nrclultrturi' einiiloy"'''  y 
bird«  would  (Ur  c xpt-ed  tin-  imrriiw  liiiiitH  wi-  prfiMTilte.  And  Uttm 
we  mny  reiimrk,  'I.  nfter  mi||{riitiiin,  tlnre  in  mi  more  certain 
dinpliiy  of  the  rpve.  <>f  initiiict  than  what  preiideB  over  tliis 
iiit.TeHtiiiK  imd  lu-rpB^iry  lohor  of  llu-  iipecies.  And  yet  bo  nice  nr« 
the  ohnervahle  j(riidatinii«  hflwixl  Ihin  iiiimlf  propennity  mid  th« 
dftwning*  of  reawiii,  that  it  i»  not  olwnyii  eoiiy  to  decide  ii|><iii  the 
chariict.'riHticii  of  one  nH  diHtincl  from  the  other.  Pure  nnd  unde- 
vintiiii;  inntiiicU  are  perlinpn  wluilly  roiifiiied  Ui  tlie  invertelivul  clam 
of  niiliiinlH. 

In  rcupcct  to  the  huliitH  of  liiriln,  we  well  know,  Uiot,  like  th« 
quadruped*,  they  powem,  though  in  on  inferior  degree,  the  capacity 
for  a  c.Tlain  niciiHure  of  wlml  may  be  Icrmfd  education,  or  the  power 
of  addiinf  to  their  Ntock  of  iiiviiriiible  Imliits,  tlic  udditioiml  circum- 
■tontiiil  traitH  of  an  inferior  di'irri-i.  of  riMiBon.     TIuih  in   tboHe   birds 
who  have  diHCoveretJ,  like  the   faithful  dog,  that  humble  com|Hvnion 
of  mail,  the  advantage*  to  be  derived  from  aggociating  round  Ilia 
premiHeH,  the  regularity  of  their  instinctive  linbitM  givew  way.  in  a 
meuHure,  to  improvable  conceptiims.     In  this  nmniier  our  (Jolden 
Robin   (letcrin  bnltimora)  or    Fiery    llang-Hird,  originally  only  a 
native  of  the  wilderncnH  and  the  forent,  ii<  now  a  couMlant  summer 
reHident  in   the   vicinity  of  vilbigen  and   dwellingH.     From   the  de- 
pending  bon;,'liH  ol'  our  towering   Kiiim,   like  the  Oriole   of  Knrope, 
and  the  CaBsicon  of  tropical  \inerica,  he  weaveM  hix  peudulouH  and 
purite-like  nest  cf  tlie  moBt  tenacious  and  durable  mnterinlH  he  can 
colU'ct.      These  naturally  consi&t  of  the   Indian  hemp,  tlax  of  fho 
■ilk-weed   {Aselepias   Bpecies),    and  other   tough  and   tibroiiB   Hub- 
Btttnces  ;  but  with  a  ready  ingenuity  he  discovert:  that  real  flax  and 
hemp,  as  well  as  thread,  cotton,  yarn,  and  even  hanks  of  silk,  or 
small  Mlrings,  and  horse  and  cow  hair,  are  excellent  substitutes  for 
his  original  domestic  materials ;  and   in   order  to  be   convenient  to 
these  accidental  resources,  a  matter  of  some  im|K)rtance  in  so  tedious 
a  labor,  he  has  left  the  wild  woods  of  liil  ancestry,  and  consciouB 
of  the  security  of  his  lolVy  and  nearly  inaccessible  nianaion,  has  taken 
up  his  welcome   abode   in   'he   precincts  of  our  habitations.     The 
same  motives  of  convenience  and  comfort  have  had  their  apparent 
influence  on  many  more  of  our  almost  donip  'i    fenl'iered  tribes  ; 
the   Blue-birds,  Wrens,  and  Swallows,   original  i'tluibit:    ts  of  the 
woods,  are  now  no  less  familiar  than  our  P\c'.ili      I  ■       Oat-bird 
often  leaves  his  native  solitary  thickets  fc     the  '.iiaTe..iunce  and 


■niiwuimiiwwii '  ■ 


D  (flv#  nny  thinj 
iri-  t'iiiplf>y<'<l  V 
rilic.  Aiicl  ht-tx 
iKi  tiii>r«'  certain 
i>iiiili>»  over  Uii» 
il  yi't  MO  tiicf  ar« 
ippiiHity  niid  tliA 
ili'riilt-  ii|Hiii  tll0 
I'liri-  niul  iiiiile- 
invrrtebral  clam 

V,  timt,  like  the 
;ree,  the  capacity 
iim,  or  tlip  power 
Idilidiuil  rirciim- 

IH  ill  tllDMC  liirilH 
iiiihie  coiiipaiiioil 
:iiitiiig  rotind  Ilia 
givcH  wny.  in  a 
iiicr  our  (ioUlen 
originiilly  only  a 
cnnittiint  Niiminer 
I.  From  tlie  ile- 
>ricilf  of  Kiirope, 
lis  pen<luloufi  and 
mntcriaU  he  can 
ipiiip,  flax  of  the 
and  tiliroiiH  niiI>- 
tliat  real  tlax  and 
hnnliii  of  Hilk.  or 
nl  Bubatituteg  for 
be  convenient  to 
mce  in  bo  tedious 
y,  and  consciouH 
lanjion,  has  taken 
habitationH.  The 
ad  their  apparent 
feolhered  tribe* ; 
nliubittitit*  of  tlie 
1.1  I  i  Jat-bird 
caaTe..iunce  and 


INTROIMTTION. 


u 


reftiKf  of  the  Knrden.  and   wiil<liiii({,  .km     ionally,  the   niotionf  of 
Uie  tenant,  anitwern  to  Iuh  wjiintlt'  with  coniplnisant  mimicry,  or  in 

petulant  nnifer  iroidii  at  hiN  intnuion.     The  C nioii  Uobin,  who 

never  vnrieH  hii  Mimple  and  roarne  anliitectiire  ;  tnnn  iled  l.y  the 
paranitic  Cuckoo,  or  the  iioiHy  Jay,  who  neek  at  liineM  to  rol.  him  of 
hia  progeny  ;  for  protection,  Inu  been  known  fearlemdy  to  build  hia 
U«at  witliin  a  few  yards  of  the  bluckNinitira  anvil,  or  on  the  .item 
timhern  of  an  uiiliniNhed  ve»Hel,  where  ih,.  carpentcrN  were  atill 
employed  III  their  noiny  laliorw.  Tli.il  M»Kiiiiiy  ohiniiiH  itx  inlliience 
over  uhviuying  iuHtinct  in  these  and  many  other  familiar  bird.^,  ni.iy 
readily  be  conceived,  when  we  obaerve,  that  thia  ventiiroua  iiHKOcIa- 
li  i>i  with  man  vaiiiahesi  with  the  occasion  which  reiiiiiriMl  it  ;  tor  no 
■ooiier  have  the  Oriole  and  Kobin  reared  their  younjf,  than  thflir 
natural  NiiHpicinn  and  HhyneMx  ajjain  return. 

UeHerta  and  aolitudea  are  avoided  by  many  kinds  of  birda.     In  an 
extenaive  country  of  unvaryini^  aurface,  or  ixwaeMsinir  but  little  va- 
riety of  natural   productions,  and    particularly    where  Hireams  and 
waters  are  scarce,  few  of  the  feathered  tribea  are   to  be  found.     The 
extensive  prairiea  of  the  west,  and  the  gloomy  and  almoat  intermin- 
oble    forests    of  the    north,   as    W.-II  as  the  umbrajreona,   wild,   and 
unpeople<l  banks  of  the   iMississippi,  and  other  of  the  larifer  rivera, 
no  less  than  the  vast  pine  barrens  of  the  southern  statea,  are  nearly 
without    birds,    aa    permanent   residents.     Jn    croasiiig  the  desolate 
piny  gludea  of  the  aouth,  with  the   exception  of  Creepers,  Wood- 
peckers,    I'ine    Warblers,   and   flocks   of  Hittinj,'   Larks   (Slmnclla), 
■carcely  any  birds  are  to  be  seen  till  we  approacli  the  lueaiiderB  of 
some  stream,  or  the   precincts  of  a   plantation.     The  food  of  birda 
being  extremely  various,   they  conaeipiently  congregate  only  v.liere 
BUBtenance    ia  to   be  obtained;   watery    situations    and  a  diversified 
vegetation   is  necessary  for  their  sujiport,  and  convenient  for  their 
rcBidence ;  the  fruits  of  the   garden  and  orchard,   the  swurnis  of  i 
sects  which  follow  the  progress  of  agriculture,  the  grain  whicli  we 
cultivate,  in  short,  every  thing  which  contributes  to  our  luxuries 
and  wants,  in  the  way  of  subsistence,  no  less  than  the  recondite  and 
tiny  enemies,  which  lessen  or  attack   these   various  resources,  all 
conduce  to  the  guppo.t  of  the  feathered  race,  which  consequently 
seek  out  and  frequent  uur  settlements,  as  iiumble  and  useful  depen- 
dents. 

The  most  ingenious  and  labored  nest  of  nil  the  lSU)»th  American 
birds,  is  that  of  the  Orchard  Oriole  or  Troopial.  It  is  suspended  or 
pensile,  like  that  of  the  Baltimore,  but,  with  the  excepUon  of  liair, 


■Tf^WBtifilfWy^'' 


[iii.im^.^i^i^Ai.P. . 


10 


INTRODUCTION. 


constantly  constructed  of  native  miiterials,  the  princiijal  of  which  is 
a  kind  of  tough  grass.  The  blades  are  formed  into  a  sort  of  platted 
purse,  but  little  inferior  to  a  coarse  straw  bonnet;  the  artificial  labor 
bestowed  is  so  apparent,  tlmt  Wilson  humorously  adds  that  on  his 
showing  it  to  a  matron  of  his  acquaintance,  betwixt  joke  and  earnest, 
she  asked,  "  if  he  thought  it  could  not  be  taught  to  darn  stockings." 
Every  one  has  heard  of  the  tailor  bird  of  India  {Sf)lvia  sutoria)  ;* 
this  little  architect,  by  way  of  saving  labor,  and  gaining  security  for 
its  tiny  frabric,  actually,  as  a  seamstress,  sows  together  the  edges  of 
two  leaves  of  a  tree,  in  which  her  nest,  at  the  extremity  of  the 
branch,  is  then  secured  for  thr  period  of  incubation.  Among  the 
Sylvias  or  Warblers,  in  whicli  are  included  the  Nightingale,  and 
familiar  Robin  Redbreast,  there  is  a  species  inliabiting  Florida  and 
the  West  Indies,  the  Sylvia pensilis,  which  forms  its  woven,  covered 
nest  to  rock  in  the  air  at  the  end  of  two  suspending  strings,  rather  tlian 
trust  it  to  the  wily  enemies  by  which  it  is  surrounded  ;  the  entrance, 
for  security,  is  also  from  below,  and  througli  a  winding  vestibule. 

Our  little  cheerful,  and  almost  domestic  Wren  {Troglodytes 
fulvus),  wliich  so  often  disputes  with  the  Martin  and  the  Blue- 
bird the  possession  of  the  box,  set  up  for  their  accommodaticm  ia 
the  garden  or  near  the  house,  in  his  native  resort  of  a  hollow  tree, 
or  the  shed  of  some  neglected  out-house,  begins  his  fabric  by  form- 
ing a  barricade  of  crooked  interlacing  twigs,  a  kind  of  chevaux-de- 
frise,  for  tlie  defence  of  his  internal  habitation,  leaving  merely 
a  very  small  entrance  at  the  upper  edge  ;  and  so  pertinacious  is  tlie 
instinct  of  tliis  little  petulant  and  courageous  warbler,  tliat,  without 
perceiving  the  inutility  of  his  industry,  in  the  artificial  mansion  pre- 
pared for  him,  he  still  laboriously  encumbers  the  interior  of  the  box 
with  the  same  mass  of  rude  sticks.  The  industry  of  this  little  bird,  and 
liis  afl'ection  for  his  mate,  are  somewhat  remarkable,  as  he  frequently 
completes  his  habitation  v/ithout  aid,  and  tlien  searches  out  a  female  on 
whom  to  bestow  it ;  but  not  being  always  successful,  or  the  premises 
not  satisfactory  to  his  mistress,  his  labor  remains  without  reward,  and 
he  continues  to  warble  out  his  lay  in  solitude.  The  same  gallant  habit 
prevails  also  witli  our  recluse  Wren  of  the  marshes.  Wilson's 
Marsh  Wren  {Troglodytes  palustris),  instead  of  courting  the  advan- 
tages  of  a  proximity  to  our  dwellings,  lives  wholly  among  the  reed 
fens,  suspending  his  mud-plastered  and  circularly  covered  nest 
usually  to  the  stalks  of  the  plant  he  so  much  affects.  Another 
marsh  species  inhabits  the  low  and  swampy  meadows  of  our  vicinity. 


INTKODUCTION. 


17 


])al  of  which  is 
I  sort  of  platted 
e  iirtificiftl  labor 
ills  that  oil  his 
)ke  and  euiiiest, 
arn  stockings." 
t/lvia  sutoria)  ;* 
ling  security  for 
ipr  tho  edges  of 
xtremity  of  the 
n.  Among  tlie 
lightingale,  and 
mg  Florida  and 
woven,  covered 
ings,  rather  than 
1 ;  tlie  entrance, 
ng  vestibule. 
n    {Troglodytes 

and  the  Blue- 
comniodation  ia 
jf  a  hollow  tree, 
s  fabric  by  form- 
J  of  ehevattx-de- 

leaving  merely 
rtinacious  is  the 
,er,  tliat,  without 
;ial  mansion  pre- 
terior  of  the  box 
lis  little  bird,  and 
,  as  he  frequently 
IS  out  a  female  on 
,  or  the  premises 
hout  reward,  and 
une  gallant  habit 
rshes.  Wilson's 
irting  the  advan- 
among  the  reed 
■ly  covered  nest 
iffects.  Another 
'8  of  our  vicinity, 

page  30. 


(Trogloilyies  *breviros(ris),  and,  with  ready  address,  constructs  its 
globular  nest  wholly  of  the  intertwined  sedge-grass  of  the  tussuck 
on  wliich  it  is  built ;  tliese  two  species  never  leave  tlieir  subaquiitic 
retreats  but  for  the  purpose  of  di»tant  migration,  and  avoid  and 
deprecate  in  angry  twitterings  every  sort  of  society  but  their  own. 

Among  the  most  extraordinary  liabitations  of  birds,  illustrative  of 
their  instinctive  invention,  may  be  mentioned  that  of  the  Bengal 
Grosbeak,  whose  pensile  nest,  suspended  from  the  lofty  boughs  of 
the  Indian  fig-tree,  is  fabricated  of  grass,  like  cloth,  in  the  form  of  a 
large  bottle,  with  the  entrance  downwards;  it  consists  also  of  two 
or  three  chambers,  supposed  to  be  occasionally  illuminated  by  the 
fire-flies,  which,  however,  only  constitute  a  part  of  the  food  it  proba- 
bly conveys  for  the  support  of  its  young.  But  the  most  extraordi- 
nary instinct  of  this  kind  known,  is  exhibited  by  the  Sociable  or 
Republican  Grosbeak  (I'loceua  sncius,  Cl'vikr)  of  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope.  In  one  tree,  according  to  Mr.  Paterson,  there  could  not  be 
fewer  than  from  800  to  1000  of  these  nests,  covered  by  one  general 
roof,  resembling  that  of  a  tliatched  house,  and  projecting  over  the 
entrance  of  the  nest.  Their  common  industry  almost  resembles 
that  of  bees.  Beneath  this  roof  there  are  many  entranced,  each  of 
which  forms,  as  it  were,  a  regular  street,  with  nests  on  eitlier  side, 
about  two  inches  distant  from  each  other.  The  material  which  they 
employ  in  this  building,  is  a  kind  of  fine  grass,  whose  seed,  also,  at 
the  same  time,  serves  them  for  food. 

That  birds,  besides  llieir  predilection  for  the  resorts  of  men,  are 
also  capable  of  appreciating  consequences  to  themselvf^s  and  young, 
scarcely  admits  the  shadow  of  a  doubt:  they  are  capable  of  commu- 
nicating their  fears,  and  nicely  calculating  the  probability  yti'  danger, 
or  the  immunities  of  favor.  We  talk  of  the  cunning  of  tlie  Fox,  and 
the  watchfulness  of  the  Weasel ;  but  theEagle,  Hawk,  Raven,  Crow, 
Pye,  and  Blackbird,  possess  those  traits  of  shrewdness  and  caution, 
which  would  seem  to  arise  from  reflection  and  prudence.  They 
well  know  the  powerful  weapons  and  wiles  of  civilized  man.  With- 
out being  able  to  smell  powder,  a  vulgar  idea,  the  Crow  and  Black- 
bird at  once  suspect  the  character  of  the  fatal  gun ;  they  will  alight 
on  the  backs  of  cattle  without  any  show  of  apprehension,  and  the 
Pye  even  hops  upon  them  with  insulting  and  garrulous  playfulness ; 
but  he  flies  instantly  from  his  human  enemy,  and  seems,  by  his 
deprecating  airs,  aware  of  tlie  proscription  that  affects  his  exitience. 
A  man  on  horseback,  or  in  d  carriage,  ia  much  less  an  object  of  sus- 
picion to  tliose  wily  birds,  tlian  when  alone ;  and  I  have  been  fre- 
2* 


18 


INTRODUCTION. 


quently  both  nmused  urid  surjirised,  in  the  Southern  states,  by  the 
sagncity  of  llie  Conunon  Blackbirds,*  in  starting  from  the  plougliing 
field,  with  looks  of  alarm,  at  the  sight  of  a  white  man,  as  distinct  from 
and  more  dangerous  than  the  black  slave,  whose  furrow  tliey  closely 
and  familiarly  followed,  for  the  insect-food  it  aftbrded  them,  without 
betraying  any  aijpearance  of  distrust.     Need  we  any  further  proof 
of  the  capacity      r  change  of  disposition,  than  that  which  has  so 
long  operated  upon  our  domestic  i>oultry,  "  those  victims,"  as  Buifon 
slightingly  remarks,   '•  which  are  nmltiplied  without  trouble,  and 
sacrificed  without  j-egrel."     How  difl'erent  the  habits  of  our  Goose 
and  Duck  in  their  wild  and  tame  condition.     Instead  of  that  ex- 
cessive and  timid  cautiousness,  so  jieculiar  to  their  savage  nature, 
they  keep  company  with  the  domestic  cattle,  and  hardly  shuffle  out 
of  our  path;  nay,  the   Gander  is  a  very  ban-dog;  noisy,  gabbling, 
and  vociferous,  he  gives  notice  of  the  stranger's  approach,  is  otlen  the 
terror  of  the  meddling  school-boy,  in  defence  of  his  fostered  brood  ; 
and  it  is  reported  of  antiquity,   tiiat  by  their  usual  garrulity  and 
watchfulness,  they  once  saved  the  Roman  capitol.     Not  only  is  tlie 
disposition  of  theso  birds  changed  l)y  domestication,  but  even  their 
strong   instinct  to  migration,   or   wandering   longings,   are  wholly 
annihilated.     Instead  of  joining  tlie  airy  phalanx  which  wing  their 
way   to   distant   regions,   they    grovel   contented   in  the  perpetual 
abundance  attendant  on  their  willing  slavery.     If  instinct  can  thus 
be  destroyed  or  merged  in  artificial  circumstances,  need  we  wonder 
that  this  protecting  and  innate  intelligence  is  capable  also  of  another 
change  by  improvement,  adapted  to  new  habits  and  unnatural  re- 
straints.    Even  without  undergoing  the  slavery  of  domestication, 
many  birds  become  fully  sensible  of  immunities  and  protection ;  and 
in  tlie  same  aquatic  and  rude  family  of  birds,  already  mentioned,  we 
may  quote  the  lame  habits  of  tlie  Eider  Ducks.     In  Iceland,  and 
other  countries .  where  tliey  breed  in  such  numbers,  as  to  render 
their  valuable  down  an  object  of  connnerce,  they  are  forbidden  to 
be  killed  under  legal  penalty,  and,  as  if  aware  of  this  legislative 
security,  tliey  sit  on  their  eggs  undisturbed  at  the  approach  of  man, 
and  are  entirely  as  familiar,  during  this  season  of  breeding,  as  our 
tamed  Ducks ;  nor  are  they  apparently  aware  ot  the  cheat  habitually 
practised  upon  them  of  abstracting  the  down  with  which  they  line 
their  nests,  though  it  is  usually  repeated  until  they  make  tlie  third 
attempt  at  incubation.     If,  however,  the  last  nest,  with  its  eggs  and 
down,  to  the  lining  of  which  the  male  is  now  obliged  to  contribute, 

*  QuiVcoiiu  verticolor. 


-mmiHifawnMii 


irtiri.n*Virati«ii»i;iiiiiiiili«ii*i*i>>MM>ilii>ii»»«« 


INTRODUCTION. 


19 


states,  by  the 
the  plougliing 
g  distinct  from 
iv  t)iey  closely 
them,  without 

further  proof 

which  has  so 
ms,"  as  Buffon 
t  trouble,  and 

of  our  Goose 
ad  of  that  ex- 
savage  nature, 
[Uy  shuffle  out 
aisy,  {rabbling, 
ch,  is  iiflcn  the 
bstered  brood  ; 

garrulity  and 
>iot  only  is  the 
but  even  their 
rs,  are  wholly 
ich  wing  their 

the  perpetual 
jtinct  can  tiius 
eed  we  wonder 
also  of  another 
1  unnatural  re- 

domestiuation, 
)rotection;  and 

mentioned,  we 
a  Iceland,  and 
3,  as  to  render 
re  forbidden  to 
this  legislative 
proach  of  man, 
reeding,  as  our 
iheat  habitually 
^hich  they  line 
make  tlie  third 
:th  its  eggs  and 
1  to  contribute, 


be  taken  away,  tliey  sagaciously  leave  the  premises  witljout  return. 
The  pious  Storks,  in  Holland,  protected  by  law  for  their  usefulness, 
build  tlieir  nests  on  tiie  tops  of  houses  and  cliurches,  often  in  the 
midst  of  cities,  in  boxes  prepared  for  them,  like  those  for  our  Mar- 
tins;  and,  walking  about  the  streets  and  gardens,  without  appreheu 
sion  of  danger,  perform  tlie  useful  office  of  domestic  scavengers. 

That  birds,  like  our  more  sedentary  and  domestic  quadrupeds,  are 
capable  of  exiiibiting  attachment  to  those  who  feed  and  attend  them 
is  undenii'ble.  Deprived  of  other  society,  some  of  our  more  intelli- 
gent species,  particularly  the  Thrushes,  soon  learn  to  seek  out  the 
company  of  their  friends  or  protectors  of  the  human  spe  ies.  The 
Brown  Tlirusli  and  jMocking-bird  become,  in  this  way,  e.vtremely 
familiar,  cheerful,  and  capriciously  playful ;  the  former,  in  particular, 
courts  tile  attention  of  iiis  master,  follows  his  steps,  complains  when 
neglected,  flies  to  him  v.'heii  suffered  to  be  at  large,  and  sing.s  and  re- 
poses gratefully  perched  on  liis  hand ;  in  short,  by  all  his  actions  he 
appears  capable  of  real  and  affectionate  attachment ;  and  is  jealous 
of  every  rival,  particularly  any  other  bird,  which  he  persecutes  from 
liis  presence  with  unceasing  hatred,  flis  petulant  dislike  to  par- 
ticular objects  of  less  moment  is  also  displayed  by  various  tones  and 
gestures,  which  soon  become  sufficiently  intelligible  to  tliose  who 
are  near  him,  as  well  as  his  notes  of  gratulation  and  satisfaction. 
His  language  of  fear  and  surprise  could  never  be  mistaken,  and  an 
Imitation  of  his  guttural  low  tsherr  tsherr,  on  these  occasions,  an- 
swers as  a  premonitory  warning  when  any  danger  awaits  liim, 
from  the  Ay  approach  of  cat  or  squirrel.  As  I  have  now  descended, 
as  1  may  say,  to  the  actual  biography  of  one  of  tliese  birds,  wliich 
I  raised  and  kept  uncaged  for  some  time,  I  may  also  add,  that  be- 
sides a  playful  turn  for  mischief  and  interruption,  in  which  he  would 
sometimes  snatch  off  the  paper  on  which  I  was  writing,  he  had  a 
good  degree  of  curiosity,  and  was  much  surprised  one  day  by  a 
large  springing  beetle  or  i:iater  {E.  ocellatus),  which  I  had  caught 
and  placed  in  a  tumbler.  On  all  such  occasions,  his  looks  of  ca- 
pricious surprise  were  very  amusing ;  he  cautiously  approached  the 
glass  witli  fanning  and  closing  wings,  and  in  an  under  tone  con- 
fessed his  surprise  at  the  address  and  jumping  motions  of  the  huge 
insect.  At  length  he  became  bolder,  and  perceiving  it  had  a  relation 
to  his  ordinary  prey  of  beetles,  he,  with  some  hesitation,  ventured  to 
snatch  at  the  prisoner  between  temerity  and  playfulness.  But  when 
really  alarmed  or  offended,  he  instantly  flew  to  his  loftiest  perch, 
forbid  all  friendly  approaches,  and  for  some  time  kept  up  hia  low 


20 


INTROOUCTIOnr. 


and  angry  tsherr.  My  late  friend,  the  venerable  William  Bartram, 
was  also  much  amuiied  by  the  intelligence  displayed  by  this  bird, 
and  relates,  that,  one  which  he  kept,  being  fond  of  hard  bread 
crumbs,  found,  when  they  grated  his  throat,  a  very  rational  remedy 
in  soflening  them,  by  soaking  in  his  vessel  of  water;  he  likewise, 
by  experience,  discovered  that  the  painful  prick  of  the  wasps  on 
which  he  fed,  could  be  obviated  by  extracting  their  stings.  But  it 
would  be  too  tedious  and  minute  to  follow  out  these  glimmerings  of 
intelligence,  which  exist  as  well  in  birds  as  in  our  most  sagacious 
quadrupeds.  The  remarkable  talent  of  the  Parrot  for  imitating  the 
tones  of  the  human  voice  has  long  been  familiar.  The  most  ex- 
traordinary and  well  authenticated  account  of  the  actions  of  one 
of  the  common  Ash-colored  species,  is  that  of  a  bird  which  Colonel 
O'Kelly  bought  for  a  hundred  guineas  at  Bristol.  This  individual 
not  only  repeated  a  great  number  of  sentences,  but  answered  many 
questions,  and  was  able  to  whistle  a  variety  of  tunes.  While  thus 
engaged,  it  beat  time  with  all  the  appearance  of  science;  and  pos- 
sessed a  judgment,  or  ear  so  accurate,  that,  if  by  chance  it  mistook 
a  note,  it  would  revert  to  the  bar  where  the  mistake  was  made, 
correct  itself,  and  still  beating  regular  time,  go  again  through  the 
whole  with  perfect  exactness.  So  celebrated  was  this  surprising  bird, 
that  an  obituary  notice  of  its  death  appeared  in  the  General  Even- 
ing Post  for  the  iltii  of  October,  1802.  In  this  account  it  is  added, 
that,  besides  her  great  musical  faculties,  she  could  express  her  wants 
articulately,  and  give  her  orders  in  a  manner  approaching  to  ration- 
ality. She  was,  at  the  time  of  her  decease,  supposed  to  be  more 
than  thirty  years  of  age.  The  Colonel  was  repeatedly  offered  five 
hundred  guineas  a  year  for  the  bird,  by  persons  who  wislied  to  make 
a  public  exhibition  of  her;  but  out  of  tenderness  to  his  favorite,  he 
constantly  refused  tlie  offer. 

The  story  related  by  Goldsmith  of  a  Parrot  belonging  to  King 
Henry  the  Seventh,  is  very  amusing,  and  possibly  true.  It  was  kept 
in  a  room  in  the  palace  of  Westminster,  overlooking  the  Thames, 
and  had  naturally  enough  learnt  a  store  of  boatmen's  phrase»  ;  one 
day  sporting  somewhat  incautiously,  Pol)  fell  into  the  river,  but  had 
rationality  enough,  it  appears,  to  make  a  profitable  use  of  the  words 
she  had  learnt,  and  accordingly  vociferated,  "  A  boat !  twenty 
pounds  for  a  boat !  "  This  welcome  sound  reaching  the  ears  of  a 
waterman,  soon  brought  assistance  to  the  parrot,  who  delivered  it  to 
the  king,  with  a  request  to  be  paid  the  round  sum  so  readily  promised 
by  the  bird ;  but  liis  majesty,  dissatisfied  with  the  exorbitant  demand, 


L 


INTUODUCTION. 


31 


liam  Bartram, 
1  by  tliis  bird, 
of  hard  bread 
tioiml  remedy 
;  he  likewise, 
the  waspB  on 
itiiigii.  But  it 
linimerings  of 
lost  sagacious 
imitating  the 
The  most  ex- 
ictions  of  one 
which  Colonel 
^his  individual 
xswered  many 
.  While  thus 
nee ;  and  pos- 
nce  it  mistook 
ke  was  made, 
n  through  the 
iirprising  bird, 
Seneral  Even- 
it  it  is  added, 
■ress  her  wants 
hing  to  ration- 
ed to  be  more 
lly  offered  five 
nsiied  to  make 
lis  favorite,  he 

iging  to  King 
5.  It  was  kept 
;  the  Thames, 
!  phrasey ;  one 
!  river,  but  had 
le  of  the  words 
boat .'  twenty 
;  the  ears  of  a 
delivered  it  to 
adily  promised 
bitant  demand, 


agreed,  at  any  rate,  to  give  him  what  the  bird  should  now  award; 
in  answer  to  which  reference.  Poll  shrewdly  cried,  "  Give  the  knave 
a  groat !  " 

The  story  given  by  Locke,  in  his  "  Essay  on  the  Human  Under- 
standing," though  ap])roaching  closely  to  rationality,  and  apparently 
improbalde,  may  not  be  a  greater  effort  than  could  have  been  accom- 
plished by  Colonel  O'Kelly's  bird.  This  Parrot  had  attracted  the 
attention  of  Prince  Maurice,  then  governor  of  Brazil,  who  had  a 
curiosity  to  witness  its  jwwers.  The  bird  was  introduced  into  the 
room,  wliere  sat  the  prince  in  company  witJi  several  Dutchmen.  On 
viewing  them,  the  Parrot  exclaimej,  in  Portuguese,  '•  VVliat  a  com- 
pany of  white  men  are  here  !  "  Pointing  to  the  prince,  they  asked, 
"  Who  is  that  man?"  to  which  the  Parrot  replies,  "  Some  general 
or  other."  The  prince  now  asked,  "  From  what  place  do  you  come? " 
The  answer  was,  "  From  Marignan."  "  To  whom  do  you  belong?" 
it  answered,  "  To  a  Portuguese."  "  What  do  you  do  there  ?  "  to 
which  the  Parrot  replied,  "I  look  after  chickens!"  The  prince, 
now  laughing,  exclaimed,  "  You  look  after  chickens !  "  To  which 
Poll  pertinently  answered,  "Yes,  /;  —  and  I  know  well  enough 
how  to  do  it;"  clucking  at  the  same  instant  in  the  manner  of  a 
calling  brood-hen. 

The  docility  of  birds  in  catching  and  expressing  sounds  depends, 
of  course,  upon  the  perfection  of  their  voice  and  hearing ;  assisted 
also  by  no  inconsiderable  power  of  memory.  The  imitative  actions 
and  passiveness  of  some  small  birds,  such  as  Goldfinches,  Linnets, 
and  Canaries,  are,  however,  quite  as  curious  as  their  expression  of 
sounds.  A  Sieur  Roman  exhibited  in  England  some  of  these  birds, 
one  of  which  simulated  death,  and  was  held  up  by  tin-  tail  or  claw 
witliout  showing  any  active  signs  of  life.  A  second  balanced  itself 
on  the  head,  with  its  claws  in  the  air.  A  third  imitated  a  milkmaid 
going  to  market,  with  pails  on  its  shoulders.  A  fourth  mimicked  a 
Venetian  girl  looking  out  at  a  window.  A  fifth  acted  the  soldier,  and 
mounted  guard  as  a  centinel.  The  sixth  was  a  cannonier,  with  a 
cap  on  its  head,  a  firelock  on  its  shoulder,  and  with  a  match  in  its 
claw  discharged  a  small  cannon.  The  same  bird  also  acted  as  if 
wounded,  was  wheeled  in  a  little  barrow,  as  it  were,  to  the  hospital ; 
after  which  it  flew  away  before  the  company.  The  seventh  ttirned 
a  kind  of  windmill ;  and  tlie  last  bird  stood  amidst  a  discharge  of 
small  fireworks,  without  showing  any  sign  of  fear. 

A  similar  exhibition,  in  which  twenty-four  Canary  birds  were  the 
actors,  was  also  shown  in  London  in  1620,  by  a  Frenchman  named 


2a 


INTRODITCTIOV. 


Dujon ;  one  of  these  Buffered  itself  to  be  eliot  at,  and,  falling  down, 
B8  if  dead,  watt  put  into  a  little  wheelbarrow,  and  conveyed  awajT 
by  one  of  its  comrades. 

The  docility  of  the  Canary  and  Goldfinch  is  thus,  by  dint  of  se- 
vere education,  ])ut  in  fair  competition  with  that  of  the  Dog;  and 
we  cannot  deny  to  the  leathered  creation  a  share  of  that  kind  of 
rational  intellijfence,  exhibited  by  some  of  our  sagacious  quadrupeds, 
an  incipient  knowledge  of  cause  and  etfect  far  removed  from  the 
unimprovable  and  unchangeable  destinies  of  instinct.  Nature,  proba- 
bly, delights  less  in  producing  such  animated  machines  than  we  are 
apt  to  suppose ;  and  amidst  t)ie  nnitability  of  circumstances  by  which 
almost  every  animated  being  is  surrounded,  there  seems  to  be  a 
frequent  deiuand  for  that  relieving  invention,  denied  to  those  animals 
which  are  solely  governed  by  inflexible  instinct. 

The  velocity  with  which  birds  are  able  to  travel  in  llieir  aerial 
element,  has  no  parallel  among  terrestrial  animals :  and  this  power- 
ful capacity  for  progressive  motion,  is  bestowed  in  aid  of  their  pe- 
culiar wauls  and  instinctive  habits.  The  swiflest  horse  may  perhaps 
proceed  a  mile  in  something  less  than  two  minutes,  but  such  exertion 
is  unnatural,  and  quickly  fatJil.  An  Eagle,  whose  stretch  of  wing  ex- 
ceeds seven  feei,  with  ease  and  majesty,  and  without  any  extraordinary 
effort,  rises  out  of  sight  in  less  than  three  minutes,  and  therefore 
must  fly  more  than  :J,.')()0  yards  in  a  minute,  or  at  the  rate  of  sixty 
miles  in  an  hour.  At  this  speed  a  bird  would  easily  perform  a 
journey  of  (UK)  miles  in  a  day,  since  ten  hours  only  would  be  required, 
■which  would  allow  frequent  halts,  and  the  whole  of  the  night  for 
repose.  Swallows,  and  other  migratory  birds,  might  therefore  pass 
from  Northern  Europe  to  the  equator  in  seven  or  eight  days.  In 
fact,  Adanson  saw,  on  the  coast  of  Senegal,  swallows  that  had 
arrived  there  on  the  '.Hh  of  October,  or  eight  or  nine  days  afler  their 
departure  from  the  colder  continent.  A  Canary  Falcon,  sent  to  the 
Duke  of  Lerma,  returned  in  sixteen  hours  from  Andalusia  to  the 
island  of  Toneriffe,  a  distance  of  750  miles.  The  Gulls  of  Bar- 
badoes,  according  to  Sir  Hans  Sloane,  make  excursions  in  flocks 
•  to  the  distance  of  more  than  200  miles  after  their  food,  and  then 
return  tlie  same  day  to  their  rocky  roosts. 

If  we  allow  that  any  natural  powers  come  in  aid  of  tlie  instinct 
to  migration,  so  powerful  and  uniform  in  birds,  besides  their  vast 
capacity  for  niotion,  it  must  be  in  the  perfection  and  delicacy  of  their 
vision,  of  which  we  have  such  striking  examples  in  the  rapacious 
tribes.    It  is  possible,  that  at  times,  they  may  be  directed  principally 


I 


•XMMMUMMHftr^  - 


INTRODUCTION. 


23 


1(1,  falling  down, 
coiiVfyed  away 

I,  by  dint  of  se- 
f  the  Dog ;  and 

of  timt  kind  of 
10U8  quadrupeds, 
moved  from  the 
Nature,  proba- 
ines  tiian  we  are 
tances  by  which 
seems  to  be  a 

to  those  animals 

I  in  their  aeritil 
and  this  power- 
aid  of  their  pe- 
rse may  perhaps 
mt  such  exertion 
retch  of  wing  ex- 
ny  extraordinary 
8,  and  therefore 
the  rate  of  sixty 
•asily  perform  a 
ould  be  required, 
of  the  night  for 
ht  therefore  pass 
■  eight  days.  In 
dUows  that  had 
?  days  after  their 
ilcon,  sent  to  the 
Vndalusia  to  the 
le  Gulls  of  Bor- 
irsioMs  in  flocks 
'  food,  and  then 

d  of  the  instinct 
esides  their  vast 
delicacy  of  their 
in  the  rapacious 
ected  principally 


by  atmospheric  .  henomena  alone  ;  and  hence  we  find  that  their  ap- 
peorance  is  frequently  a  concomitant  of  the  approaching  season, 
and  the  wild  Petrel  of  the  ocean  is  not  the  only  harbinger  of  storm 
and  coming  change.     The  currents  of  the  air,  in  those  which  make 
extensive  voyages,  are  sedulously  employed  ;  and  hence,  at  certain 
seasons,  when  they  are   usually  in  motion,  we  find  tlieir  arrival  or 
departure  accelerated  by  a  favorable  direction  of  the  winds     That 
birds  «,so  should  be  able  to  derive  advantage  in  their  journeys  from 
the  acuteness  of  their  vision,  is  not  more  wonderful,  than  tiie  ca- 
pacity of  a  dog  to  discover  tlie  path  of  his  master,  for  many  miles 
in  succession,  by  the  mere  scent  of  his  steps.     It  is  said,  indeed,  in 
corroboration  of  this  conjecture,   that   the    Passenger  or  Carrying 
Pigeon,   is  not  certain  to  return  to  the  place  from  whence  it  is 
brouglit,  unless  it  be  conveyed  in  an  open  wicker  basket,  admitting 
a  view  of  the  passing  scenery.     Many  of  our  birds,  however,  follow 
instinctively  the  great  valleys  and  river  courses,  which  tend  towards 
tlieir  southern  or  warmer  destination  ;  thus  the  great  valleys  of  the 
Connecticut,  the    Hudson,  the   Delaware,    the    Susquehannah,  the 
Santee,  and  more  particularly   the   vast  Mississippi,  are  often,  in 
part,  the  lending  routes  of  our  migrating  birds.     But,  in  fact,  rnys- 
terious  as  is  the  voyage  and  departure  of  our  birds,  like  those  of 
all  other  countries  where  they  remove  at  all,  the  destination  of  many 
IS  rendered  certain,  as   soon  as  we   visit  the  southern  parts  of  tha 
Union,  or  the  adjoining  countries  of  Mexico,  to  which  they  have 
retired  for  the  winter ;  for  now,  where  they  were  nearly  or  wholly 
unknown  in  summer,  they  throng  by  thousands,  and  flit  before  our 
path  like  the  showering  leaves  of  autumn.     It  is  curious  to  observe 
Uie  pertinacity  cf  this  adventurous  instinct  in  those,  more  truly  and 
exclusively   insectivorous  species,  which  wholly  leave   us  for  tlia 
mild  and  genial  regions  of  the  tropics.     Many  penetrate  to  their 
destination  through  Mexico  over  land;  to  these  the  whole  journey 
18  merely  an  amusing  and  varied  feast ;  but  to  a  much  smaller  num- 
ber, who  keep  too  far  toward  the  sea,coast,  and  enter  the  ocean-bound 
peninsula  of  Florida,  a  more  arduous  aerial  voyage  is  presented; 
tlie  wide  ocean  must  be  crossed,  by  the  young  and  inexperienced^  ■ 
08  well  as  the  old  and  venturous,  before  they  arrive  either  at  tlie 
tropical  continent,  or  its  scattered  islands.     When  the  wind  proves 
propitious,  however,  our  little  voyagers  wing  their  unerring  way 
like  prosperous  fairies;  but,  baffled  by  storms  and  contrary  gales, 
they  often  suffer  from  want,  and  at  times,  like  the  Quails,  become' 
vicUms  to  the  devouring  waves.    On  such  unfortunate  occasions, 


iMw 


24 


INTRODUCTION. 


(ai  Mr.  Bullock "  witnewed  in  a  voyage  near  to  Vera  Cruz  late  in 
autumn,)  the  iumislied  travellers  familiarly  crowd  the  decks  of  the 
vessel,  in  tiie  hope  of  obtaining  rest  and  a  scanty  meal,  preparatory 
to  the  conclusion  of  their  unpropitious  flight. 

Superficial  observers,  substituting  their  own  ideas  for  facts,  are 
ready  to  conclude,  and  frequently  assert,  that  the  old  and  young, 
before  leaving,  asspnihte  together  for  mutual  departure ;  thin  may  be 
true,  in  many  instances,  but  in  as  many  more  a  different  arrange- 
ment obtains.  The  young,  often  instinctively  vagrant,  herd  together 
in  separate  Hocks  previous  to  their  departure,  and  guided  alone  by 
the  innate  monition  of  nature,  seek  neither  the  aid  nor  the  company 
of  the  old ;  consequently  in  some  countries  flocks  of  young  of  pai- 
ticular  species  are  alone  observed,  and  in  others,  far  diutant,  we 
recognise  the  old.  From  parental  aid,  the  juvenile  company  have 
obtained  all  that  nature  intended  to  bestow,  existence  and  education ; 
and  they  are  now  thrown  upon  the  world  among  their  numerous  com- 
panions, with  no  other  necessary  guide  than  self-preserving  instinct. 
In  Europe  it  appears  that  these  bands  of  the  young  ahvays  nftect 
even  a  warmer  climate  than  the  old ;  the  aeration  of  their  l)lood 
not  being  yet  complete,  they  are  more  sensible  to  the  rigors  of  cold. 
The  season  of  the  year  has  also  its  effect  on  the  movements  of 
birds;  thus  certain  species  proceed  to  their  northern  destination 
more  to  the  eostward  in  tiio  spring ;  and  return  from  it  to  the  south- 
westward  in  autumn. 

The  habitudes  and  extent  of  the  migrations  of  birds  admit  of  con- 
siderable variety.  Some  only  fly  before  the  inundating  stornjs  of 
winter,  and  return  with  the  first  dawn  of  spring ;  these  do  not  leave 
the  continent,  and  only  migrate  in  quest  of  food,  when  it  actually 
begins  to  fail.  Among  tlicse  may  be  named  our  connnon  Song 
Sparrow,  Chipping  Sparrow,  Blue-bird,  Robin,  Pewee,  Cedar-bird, 
Blackbird,  Meadow  Lark,  and  many  more.  O'liers  pass  into  warmer 
climates  in  the  autumn,  after  rearing  their  young.  Some  are  so 
given  to  wandering,  that  tlieir  choice  of  a  country  is  only  regulated 
by  the  resources  which  it  offers  for  subsistence ;  such  are  the  Pigeons, 
Herons  of  several  kinds,  Snipes,  Wild  Geese  and  Ducks,  the  wan- 
dering  Albatros,  and  Waxen  Chatterer. 

The  greater  number  of  birds  travel  in  the  night ;  some  species, 
however,  proceed  only  by  day,  as  the  diurnal  birds  of  prey.  Crows, 
Pies,  Wrens,  Creepers,  Cross-bills,  Larks,  Blue-birds,  Swallows,  and 


•  Travels  ia  Mexico. 


I 


INTnODUCTION. 


26 


a.  Cruz  late  in 
>  (IflckH  of  tha 
111,  preparatory 

for  fiicta,  are 
Id  and  young, 
f ;  thi»  may  be 
ercnt  iirrange- 
,  lierd  together 
uided  alone  by 
r  the  company 
young  of  pol- 
ar distant,  we 
company  have 
and  education ; 
luinerouH  com- 
(rving  instinct. 
'  alv/ayg  affect 

of  their  blood 

rig'ors  of  cold. 

movements  of 
Tu  destination 
it  to  the  soutli- 

8  admit  of  con- 
iting  storms  of 
se  do  not  leave 
len  it  actually 
common  Song 
ee,  Cedar-bird, 
188  into  warmer 
Some  are  so 
only  regulated 
ire  the  Pigeons, 
uoks,  the  wan- 

;  some  Bpecies, 
if  prey,  Crows, 
,  Swallows,  and 


some  others.  Those  which  travel  wholly  in  the  night  are  the  Owls, 
Butcher-birds,  KingfisherH,  ThruslieH,  Flycatchers,  Night-Hawks, 
Whip-poor-wills,  and  also  a  great  numlier  of  aiiuatic  birds,  whose  mo- 
tions II. !■  often  principally  nocturnal,  px<'ept  in  the  cold  and  desolate 
northern  regions,  where  they  usually  retire  to  breed.  Other  birds  are 
go  powerfully  impelled  by  this  governing  motive  to  migration,  that 
they  stop  neither  day  nor  niglil ;  sucli  are  liie  Herons,  Motaiillas, 
Plovers.  Swans,  Craiies,  Wild  Geese,  Storks,  Ac.  When  untoward 
circumstances  render  haste  necessary,  certain  kinds  of  birds,  which 
ordinarily  travel  only  in  the  night,  contiimu  their  route  during  the 
day,  anil  scarcely  allow  themselves  time  to  eat:  yet  tiie  singing 
birds,  properly  so  called,  never  migrate  by  day,  whatever  mav  hap- 
pen to  them.  And  it  may  here  be  inquired,  with  astonishment,  how 
these  fei-l)le  hut  enthusiastic  animals  are  able  to  pass  the  time,  thus 
engaged,  without  the  aid  of  recruiting  sleep.'  But  so  powerful  is 
this  neces-iity  for  travel,  that  its  incentive  breaks  nut  ecpnillv  in  those 
which  are  detained  in  captivity  ;  so  nuirh  so,  that  allhougli,  during 
the  day,  they  are  no  more  alert  than  usua!,  and  only  occupied  in 
taking  nourishment,  at  the  approach  nf  niirlil,  far  from  seeking 
repose,  as  us\nil,  they  manifest  great  agitation,  sing  without  ceasing 
in  the  cage,  whether  the  apartment  is  liirhted  or  not;  and  when 
the  moon  shines,  they  appear  still  more  restless,  as  it  is  their  custom, 
at  liberty,  to  seek  the  advantage  of  its  light,  for  facilitating  their 
route.  Some  birds,  while  engaged  in  ti.eir  journey,  still  find  mtans 
to  live  without  halting;  the  Swallow,  w  liile  Iraversini;  the  sea, 
pursiies  its  insect  prey  ;  those  who  can  subsist  on  tish,  without  any 
serious  effort,  feed  as  they  pass  or  graze  the  surface  of  the  deep.  If 
the  Wren,  the  Creeper,  and  the  Titmouse  rest  for  an  instant  on  a 
tree  to  snatch  a  hasty  morsel,  in  the  ne.\l  (hev  are  on  the  wing,  to 
fulfil  their  destination.  However  abunilant  m:iy  be  the  nourishment 
which  presents  itself  to  supply  their  wants,  in  general,  birds  of  pas- 
sage rarely  remain  more  than  two  days  togetlier  in  a  place. 

The  cries  of  many  birds,  while  engaged  in  their  aerial  voyaire,  are 
such  as  are  only  heard  on  this  important  occasion,  and  aj>pear  ne- 
cejsary  for  the  direction  of  those  which  fly  in  assembled  ranks. 

During  these  migrations,  it  has  been  observed,  that  birds  fly  ordi- 
narily in  the  higher  regions  of  the  air,  except  when  fogs  force  them 
to  seek  a  lower  elevation.  This  habit  is  particularly  prevalent  with 
Wild  Geese,  Storks,  Cranes,  and  Herons,  which  often  pass  at  such  a 
height  as  to  be  scarcely  distinguishable, 

3 


so 


INTIlonilCTION. 


We  »hall  not  h»re  tenter  into  nny  detailrd  dvRcription  of  the  man- 
ner in  whicli  each  ipcciei  conductii  iU  migration ;  hut  shall  eon- 
tent  oumelvee  with  ciliiiK  the  «inj]rle  n-niarliable    example  of  the 
motionii  of  the  Craiien.     Of  all   migrating  hird»,  thene  appear  to  b« 
endowed  with  the  greuteiit  Hhare  of  foreniiflit.    They  never  under- 
take the  journey  nlone  :  throughout  a  circle  of  leveml  milee,  they 
appear  to  comnuinicnte  the  intention  of  commencing  tiieir  route. 
Severiil  dayH  previous  to  their  deprrture,  they  call  upon  each  other 
by  a  |>eculiur  cry,   an    if  giving   wan    ng   to   aiweml.le   ot  a  cen- 
tral point;    the  favorable   moment  bei    lT    nt   length    arrived,  they 
betake   theiuHelves   to   flight,  and,   in   luilitary   ntyle,   full    into   two 
lines,  which,  uniting  at  the  Bununit,  form  an  extended  angle  with 
two  equal   sides.     At  the  central  point  of  the   phnlitnx,  the  chief 
takes  his  station,  to  whom  the  whole  troop,  by  tlieir  subordinntiou, 
appear  to  linve   pledged  their  obedience.     The  commander  has  '  <-t, 
only  the  painful  tiwk  id"  breaking  the  path  through  the  air,  but  /;« 
has  alio  tlie  tliarge  of  watching  for  the  conuuon  safety  ;  to  Hvoid 
Uie  attacks  of  birds  of  prey ;  to  range  the  two  lines  in  a  circle,  at 
the  approach  of  a  tempeHt,  in  ord.  r  to  resist  with  .nore  effect  tht 
squalls  which  menace  the  dispersion  of  the  linear  ranks;  and,  lastly, 
it  is  to  their  leiuler  that  the  fatigued  company  look   up  to  appoint 
the  most  convenient  places  for  nourishment  and  repose.     Still,  im- 
portant  as   is  the  sUtion  and  function  of  the  aerial  director,  its 
existence  is  but  momentary.     Ak  «oon  as  he  feels  sensible  of  fatigue, 
he  cedes  his  place  to  the  next  in  the  file,  ann  reiiies  himself  to  its 
extremity.      During   the   night,   their  flight   ik  ..Ltended   with  con- 
■iderable  noise ;  the  loud  cries  which  we  hear,  seem  to  be  the  march- 
ing orders   of  the  chief,  answered  by   the    ranks   who    follow  his 
commands.     Wild  Geese,  and  several  kinds  of  Ducks,  also  make 
their  aerial  voyage  nearly  in  the  same  manner  as  the  ('ranes.     The 
loud  call  of  the  passing  Geese,  as  they  soar  securely  through  the 
higher  regions  of  the  air,  is  familiar  to  all ;  but  as  an  additional 
proof  of  their  sagacity  and  caution,  we  may  remark,  llint  when 
fogs  in  the  atmosphere  render  their  flight  necessarily  low,  they  steal 
along  in  silence,  as  if  aware  of  the  danger  to  which  their  lower  path 
now  exposes  them. 

To  assist  the  efforts  of  birds,  and  sustain  tliem  through  their  long 
journeys,  it  is  often  necessary  to  borrow  the  aid  of  the  winds  ;  but 
that  this  element  may  assist,  it  is  pro])er  that  it  njeet  them ;  or  be 
in  the  reverse  of  its  aid  to  the  navigator.  This  observation  is  so 
far  verified,  that  to  succeed  in  the  chase  of  bird?<  upon  tlie  water,  it 


1 


INTROniTCTIOV. 


27 


I  of  tlie  man- 
ut  fhsll  eon- 
iiiiplw  of  tha 
appvar  to  b« 
never  under- 

I  niilfR,  they 
r  tlifir  route. 
)n  encli  other 
.\»  at  a  ccn> 
arrived,  they 
fall  into  two 
gd  imgln  with 
iix,  tliH  rhief 
i^bordinntiou, 
inder  has  not 
le  nir,  but  n« 
ety  ;  to  Hvoid 

ill  u  circle,  at 
lore  effect  thfc 
)  -,  and,  lastly, 
up  to  appoint 
ge.    Still,  im- 

II  director,  its 
ible  of  fatigue, 
hiniHflf  to  its 
led  with  con- 
be  tlie  niurch- 
ho  follow  his 
ks,  hIbo  make 
Oauen.     The 

ly  through  the 
un  additional 
tk,  that  when 
low,  they  steal 
leir  lower  path 

ugh  their  long 
:he  winds ;  but 
t  them ;  or  be 
nervation  is  so 
in  tlie  water,  it 


il  neeeisary  to  approach  them  by  cutting  the  winil  upon  fheni ;  conse- 
quently, by  the  diHponition  of  their  wingx,  they  are  obliged  to  come 
toward!)  the  boat,  which  is  also  at  the  same  time  pushed  towards  them. 
Our  common   PaxMenger  Pigeons  and  Wild  Oeese,  decided  migra- 
tors, may  be  observed,  when  moving  in  the  largest  bodies,  flying  in 
a  path  contrary  to  the  wind.     The  direction  of  the  winds  is  then  of 
great  importance  to  the  migration  of  birils,  not  only  as  an  aHsistance 
when  favorable,  but  to  be  avoided   when  contrary,  as  the   nifwt  dis- 
astrous i>f  accidents,  when  they  are  traversing  the  ocean.     If  the 
breeze  suddenly  change,  the  aerial  voyagers  tack  to  meet  it,  and 
diverging  from  their  original  course,  seek  the  asylum  of  some  land 
or  island,  as  is  the  caHe  very  frequently  with  the  Quails,  who  onse- 
quently,    in    their    paxsage    acrtiss    tlie    Mediterranean,    at    variable 
times,  make  a  descent  in   immense  numbers  on   the   islands   of  the 
Archipelago,   where    they    wait,  sometimes  for  weeks,   the  arrival 
of   a  jiropitious  gale  to  terminate  their  journey.     And  hence   we 
perceive  the  object  of  migrating  birds,  when   they  alight  upon  ft 
vessel  at  sea  ;    it  has   fallen  in  their  course  while  seeking  refuge 
from  a  baffling   breere,  or  overwhelming  storm,  and  after  a  few 
hours  of  rcbt,  they  wing  their  way  to  their  previous  destination. 
Tkat  nature  has  provided  ample  means  to  fulfil  the  wonderful  in- 
stinct of  these  feeble  but  cautious  wanderers,  appears  in  every  part 
of  their  economy.     As  the  period  approaches  for  their  general  depar- 
ture, and  the  chills  of  rutumn  begin  to  be  felt,  their  bodies  begin 
to  be  loaded  witli  cellular  matter,  and  at  no  season  of  the  year  are 
tlie  true  birds  of  passage  so  fat  as  at  the  approach  of  their  migration. 
The  Gulls,  Cranes,  and  Herons,  almost  proverbially  mncilent,  art 
at  this  season  loaded  with  this  reservoir  of  nutriment,  which  is  in- 
tended to  administer  to  their  support  through  their  arduous  and 
hazardous  voyage.     With  this  natural  provision,  dormant  uuimall 
also  commence  their  long  and  dreary  sleep  through  the  winter ;  a 
nutritious  resource,  no  less  necessary  in  birds  while  engaged  in  ful- 
filling the  powerful  and  waking  reveries  of  instinct. 

But  if  the  act  of  migration  surprise  us  Avhen  performed  by  birdi 
of  active  power  of  wing,  it  is  still  more  remarkable  when  under- 
taken by  those  of  short  and  laborious  flight,  like  the  Coots  and  Rails, 
who,  in  fact,  perform  a  part  of  their  route  on  foot.  The  Great  Penguin 
{^ka  impennit),  the  Guillemot,  and  the  Divers,  even  make  their 
voyage  chiefly  by  dint  of  swimming.  The  young  Loons  {Colymbtu 
glaeialis),  bred  in  inland  ponds,  though  proverbially  lame  (and 
hence  tlie  name  of  Lorn  or  Loon),  without  recourse  to  their  wings, 


A 


98 


INTnoniTTION. 


which  nro  nt  ihii  tim*  inflficif nl,  conliniie  their  route  fVoni  poiiil  to 
pond,  llouiulering  over  thf  interveiiinK  IhikI  hy  niifht,  until  iil  length 
they  gain  •onie  creek  .it' the  nen,  iinil  finally  couipleta  their  necegimry 
inigrntinn  by  witter. 

Uirdu  of  imnMage,  hoth  in  the  old  nnd  new  continent*,  are  obierved 
generolly  to  migrate  Houth-wevt  in  autumn,  and  to  pan  to  the  north- 
•ast  in  Hpring.  I'lirry,  however,  it  Heeni«,  (diHerved  the  birds  of 
Oreenlnnd  proceed  to  the  Hoiitli->'i\iit.  Thin  nppurenl  nberriition  t'rora 
the  u»unl  courne,  mny  be  nrcounted  for  by  connidering  the  linbitH  of 
theie  nquatio  birdn.  Intent  on  food  and  shelter,  a  part,  bending  their 
oourse  over  the  oold  regiomt  of  Norway  and  KuHHia,  seek  tlie  shores 
of  Kurop.  •  while  another  division,  ennally  considerable,  proceeding 
•outh-west,  spread  themsi-lves  over  the  interior  of  Uie  United  States 
and  the  coast  and  kingdom  of  Mexico. 

This  propensity  to  change  their  climate,  induced  by  whatever 
cause,  is  not  confined  to  the  birds  of  ti'nipt'rnte  regions;  it  likewiiti 
exists  among  many  of  those  who  iiihahit  the  (Topics.  Ai|uatic  birds, 
of  several  kinds,  according  to  Humboldt,  cross  the  line  on  either 
side  about  the  time  of  the  periodical  rise  of  the  rivers.  Waterton, 
likewise,  who  spent  much  time  in  Demerara  and  the  neighbouring 
countries,  observed,  that  the  visits  of  many  of  the  Irojiical  birdn  were 
periodical.  Thus  the  wonderful  Caniiianero,*  whose  solemn  voice  is 
heard,  at  intervals,  tolling  like  the  convent  bell,  was  rare  to  Water- 
ton,  but  frequent  in  Brazil,  where  they  most  prolmbly  retire  to 
breed.  The  failure  of  particular  food  at  any  season,  in  the  mildest 
climate,  would  be  a  sufficient  incentive  to  a  partial  and  overland  mi- 
gration with  any  species  of  the  feathered  race. 

The  longevity  of  birds  is  various,  and,  dift'erent  from  the  case  of  man 
and  quadrupeds,  seems  to  bear  but  little  proportion  to  the  age  at  which 
they  acquire  maturity  of  character.  A  few  months  seems  sufficient  to 
bring  the  bird  into  full  possession  of  all  its  native  powers  ;  and  there 
are  some,  as  our  Marsh  Titmouse  or  Chicadee,  which,  in  fact,  as 
soon  as  fledged,  are  no  longer  to  be  distinguished  from  their  parents. 
Land  animals  generally  live  six  or  seven  times  as  long  as  the  period 
required  to  attain  maturity  ;  but  in  birds  the  rate  is  ten  times  greater. 
In  projjortion  to  their  size,  they  are  also  far  more  vivacious  and 
long-lived,  tlian  other  animals  of  tlie  superior  class.  Our  know- 
ledge of  the  longevity  of  birds  is,  however,  necessarily  limited  to 
the  few  examples  of  domesticated  species,  which  we  have  been  able 


♦  Camutrhynehm  earunculata. 


L 


INTRODUCTION. 


29 


Troni  pond  to 
until  lit  length 
heir  necfiwiry 

I,  are  nlwerved 
R  to  the  north- 
;l  llie  liirda  of 
bprriition  from 
r  the  liubilit  of 
,  bending  their 
pek  the  ihorea 
<le,  proceeding 
United  UtateH 

1  by  whatever 
m ;  it  likewiio 
Aiiiialic  birdd, 
line  on  either 
r«.  Waterton, 
e  neighbouring 
lical  birilH  were 
Holeniii  voice  i« 
rare  to  Water- 
bubly  retire  to 
,  in  the  niildest 
id  overland  mi- 

the  case  of  man 
he  age  at  which 
■niH  Hvilficient  to 
vers ;  and  there 
ich,  in  fact,  ai 
111  their  parents. 
rig  na  the  period 
m  times  greater. 
i  vivacious  and 
H.  Our  know- 
sarily  limited  to 
liave  been  able 


to  iupport  th'oujfh  life;  the  result  of  these  cxamplesiH,  that  our 
domestic  fowls  have  lived  twenty  years,  I'igeons  have  e.iceed«d 
that  period ;  i'arrcH*  liave  utuined  more  than  tliirty  years.  UeeM 
lire  prolmlily  niiire  than  half  a  century  ,  a  I'elican  has  lived  to  eighty 
years;  and  awiins,  llaveiiM,  and  Kagles  have  exceeded  u  century  : 
even  l.iiinetH,  m  the  unnatural  reslrainU  of  the  cage,  have  survived 
for  fourteen  or  tilleen  years,  and  Canaries  twenty-Hve.  To  account 
for  this  remarkable  tenacity  of  life,  nothing  very  satisfactory  ha« 
been  otfered  ;  though  Uutfoii  is  of  opinion,  that  the  sort  and  porou* 
nature  of  their  lionea  contributes  to  tliis  end,  as  the  general  ossifica- 
tion and  rigidity  of  the  system  perpetually  tends  to  abridge  the 
boundaries  of  life. 

In  a  general  way  it  may  be  considered  as  essential  for  the  bird  to 
fly,  as  it  is  fur  the  fish  to  swim,  or  the  rpiadruped  to  walk  ;  yet  in 
all  these  tribes  there  are  exceptions  to  the  general  habits.  Thus 
among  quadrupeds,  the  BaU  fly ;  the  Seals,  and  other  animals  of 
that  description,  swim;  and  the  Beaver  and  tJtter,  with  an  inter- 
mediate locomotive  power,  swim  better  than  they  can  walk.  So 
also  imoiiir  birds,  the  Ostrich,  Cassowary,  Uodo,  and  some  other*, 
incapable  of  Hying,  are  obliged  to  walk  ;  others,  as  the  Penguins, 
Dippers,  and  Razor-bills,  fly  and  swim,  but  never  walk.  Some,  in 
fine,  like  the  Birds  of  I'aradise,  Swallows,  and  llumiiiing-birds,  can 
neitlier  walk  nor  swim,  but  pass  their  time  chiefly  on  the  wing. 
A  far  greater  number  of  birds  live  on  the  water  than  of  quadrupeds, 
for  of  the  latter  there  are  not  more  than  five  or  six  kinds  furnished 
with  webbed  or  oar-like  feet ;  whereas  of  birds  with  this  structure 
tJiere  are  above  three  hundred.  The  lightness  of  their  feathers  and 
bones,  as  well  as  the  boat-like  form  of  their  bodies,  contributes 
greatly  to  facilitate  their  buoyancy  and  progress  in  the  water,  and 
their  feet  serve  as  oars  to  propel  tlieni. 

Thus  in  whatever  way  we  view  the  feathered  tribes  which  surround 
Ui,  we  shall  find  much  botli  to  amuse  and  instruct.  We  Jiearken  to 
their  songs  with  renewed  delight,  as  the  harbingers  anil  associates 
of  the  season  they  accompany.  Their  return,  atler  a  long  absence, 
is  hailed  with  gratitude  to  the  Author  of  all  existence  ;  and  the 
cheerless  solitude  of  inanimate  noture  is,  by  their  presence,  attuned 
to  life  and  harmony.  Nor  do  they  alone  administer  to  the  amuse- 
ment and  luxury  of  life ;  faithful  aids  as  well  as  messengers  of  the 
Reasons,  they  associate  round  our  tenements,  and  defend  the  various 
productions  of  the  earth,  on  which  we  so  much  rely  for  subsiste  -e, 
from  the  destructive  depredations  of  myriads  of  insects,  wliioh,  but 
3* 


30 


INTKODUCTICN. 


for  timely  riddance  by  unnumbered  birds,  would  be  followed  by  a 
general  failure  and  famine.  Public  economy  and  utility,  then, 
no  less  than  humanity,  plead  for  the  protection  of  the  feathered 
race ;  and  the  wanton  destruction  of  birds,  so  useful,  beautiful,  and 
amusing,  if  not  treated  as  nuch  by  law,  ought  to  be  considered  as  a 
crime  by  every  nioral,  feeling,  and  reflecting  mind. 


Nost  of  the  Tailor-Bird. 


-.iiKumnruaiMMtiwiwwiiMiiirinririiWi 


i<l«liliHi»iji.iii     - 


be  followed  by  a 
nd  utility,  then, 
of  the  feathered 
ul,  beautiful,  and 
i  considered  as  a 


BIRDS    OP    PREY. 


Rapacious  birds  seem  to  occupy  among  the  feathered 
race,  the  same  situation  as  the  carnivorous  order  among 
the  quadrupeds.     Ail  obtain  their  subsistence   from  the 
animal  kingdom,   and   most  of  tiieni  live  essentially  on 
flesh.     Some,  dastardly  and   indolent   by  nature,  as  well 
as  unprovided  with  the  means  of  seizing  prey,  live  on 
carrion  and  garbage,  and   act  the  useful  part  of  scaven- 
gers in  ridding  the  earth  of  such  offensive  matters.    Oth- 
ers boldly  or  insidiously   attack   living   animals,  quadru- 
peds or  birds.    Some  again  there  are,  that  subsist  almost 
wholly  on  fish  and  reptiles ;    and  a  kw  of  small  size  are 
contented  with  crustaceous-winged  insects.    Less  attach- 
ed to  the  earth  than  other  birds,  they  traverse  the  aerial 
regions   with  a   rapid   flight,   and  often  disappear  from 
view  in  the  ambient   space,  from   whence,  ever  watchful 
and  keen  of  sight,   they   survey  the  wide  landscape  and 
mark  out  their  distant  quarry.    Some  peculiarities  of  their 
skeleton    are   in    accordance    with    the   power   of    their 
wings  ;  thus  the  sternum  is  broad  and  completely  ossified 
in  order  to  give  more  extensive  insertion  to  the  muscles. 
The  fourchette  also,   semicircular  and  widely  separated, 
serves  effectually  to  resist  the  violent  motions  of  the  hu- 
merus in   the   act  of  rapid   flying.     Endowed   with  such 
powerful  means  of  flight,  and  natural  weapons  of  destruc- 
tion, they  are  justly  the  terror  of  all  other  birds.     Wan- 


»i'|M 


33 


BIRDS  OF  PREY. 


derers  and  vagabonds,  they  live  in  solitude,  or  only  asso- 
ciate  by   pairs.     Their  parental   feeling,    indeed,  com- 
monly vanishes  with  the  growth  of  their  offspring  ;    the 
young   are   driven  forth   with   violence,    and   sometimes 
even  savagely   destroyed   by  these,   their  fierce,  though 
natural  i)roteotors.     Nature,  apparently  willing  to  dimin- 
ish or  abridge  the  number  of  such   cruel   animals,   has 
limited  their  annual  progeny  to  a  single  brood,  and  their 
eggs,   sometimes   2,    never   exceed    the  number   of  4. 
For  this  purpose  their  nests   are  hidden   in  the  clefts  of 
inaccessible  rocks,  or  fixed    in  the  summits  of  the  tallest 
trees  ;  and  in  the  nocturnal  kinds,   in  hollow  trunks,  or 
the  ruins  of  desolate   buildings  which  their   discordant 
cries  fill   with   sounds  of  horror ;    the   diurnal,  also  in- 
quiet,  gloomy,  and  suspicious,  utter  often  loud,   squealing 
plaints,  or,  in  the  larger  kinds,   almost  wolfisli  barkings, 
sounds  consonant  with  their  insatiable  and  sanguinary  ap- 
petites :  indeed,  when  their  victims  are  sufficiently  abund- 
ant, their  sole  <lrinU    is  often  blood,   and  like  the  votary 
of  intemperance,  water,   to  quench  their  thirst,  is  only  a 
last  resort.     The  more  powerful  birds  of  this  order  see 
with  proverbial  perfection  in  the  day,  and  like  most  oth- 
ers   have  the   eyes   directed   sideways.     The   nocturnal 
tribe  pass  away  this  period  in   sleep  and  indolence,  only 
perceiving  their  prey  distinctly   in  the  twilight,  and  in 
these   the  eyes   are  placed   in   front.     The  structure  of 
their  digestive  organs  indicates  the  stern  necessity  of  this 
life  of  rapine.     Their  prey  is  either  torn  to  pieces  or 
swallowed  whole  ;    in   either  case  the  hair,   bones   and 
feathers,  indigestible  to  them,  are   successively  ejected 
from  the  stomach,  by  the  mouth,  in  small  balls  or  pellets. 
They  eat  largely  when  occasion  offers,  and  can  also  fast 
for  several  days.     In  all  this  tribe   the  female  is  larger 
than  the  male,  and  this  disparity  sometimes  amounts  to  a 


VDLTURES. 


33 


)r  only  asso- 
ideed,  coin- 
spring  ;    the 
I  sometimes 
irce,  though 
ng  todimin- 
inimals,   has 
)d,  and  their 
mber   of   4. 
the  clefts  of 
jf  the  tallest 
w  trunks,  or 
r  discordant 
nal,  also  in- 
d,  squealing 
ish  barkings, 
nguinary  ap- 
ently  abund- 
<e  tlic  votary 
rst,  is  only  a 
lis  order  see 
ke  most  oth- 
l\e  nocturnal 
Jolence,  only 
light,  and  in 
structure  of 
cessity  of  this 
to  pieces  or 
,   bones   and 
sively  ejected 
ills  or  pellets, 
can  also  fast 
lale  is  larger 
amounts  to  a 


third ;  she  alone  hatches  the  brood,  and  probably,  finds 
the  occasional  necessity  of  defending  them  from  her  un- 
feeling mate. 

This  ordor  of  birds  are  well  distinguished  by  iheir  short, 
robust  bill,  compressed  at  its  sides,  and  curved  towards 
its  extremity  ;  tlie  upper  mandible  is  also  covered  at  its 
base  by  a  particular  coating  called  tlie  cere.  The  nos- 
trils are  open.  Tlie  feet  strong,  short,  or  of  middling 
length,  feathered  to  the  knees,  or  sometimes  down  to  the 
toes.  The  toes  are  three  before,  and  one  behind,  all 
equally  touching  the  ground,  and  wlioliy  divided,  or 
united  at  the  base  by  a  membrane  ;  the  sole  is  rough,  to 
assist  in  holding  the  animals  on  which  they  feed,  and 
more  remarkably  so  in  those  which  live  on  fish,  and  re- 
quire this  additional  aid  to  retain  their  slippery  prey. 
The  toes  are  armed  with  powerful,  sharp,  retractile,  and 
curved  nails. 

VULTURES. 

TnF.SK  are  ignoble,  cowardly,  and  gregarious  birds,  generally  con- 
fined to  n:ild  or  warm  climates,  where,  feeding  on  unburied  carcases 
and  filth,  they  render  an  important  service  to  man,  and  in  the  South- 
ern parts  of  the  United  States  they  are  consequently  protected  from 
destruction  by  law.  They  sometimes  also  prey  upon  small  living 
animals,  reptiles,  and  the  eggs  of  birds.  They  are  exceedingly  indo- 
lent, and  in  their  mean  and  disgusting  figure,  slovenly  attitude, 
foetid  scent,  and  heavy  gait,  they  are  strikingly  distinguished  from 
tliose  birds  of  rapine  which  give  a  preference  to  living  animals,  and 
seize  their  prey  by  stratagem  or  strength.  In  the  conformation  of 
their  feet  and  claws,  they  are  destitute  of  that  powerful  armature 
which  is  peculiar  to  the  other  rapacious  birds  ;  they  are  unable  to 
make  use  of  those  members  either  in  attacking  or  conveying  their 
prey,  which  must  consequently  be  consumed  on  the  spot.  Their 
head  and  neck  wholly  naked,  or  partially  clothed  with  a  woolly 
down,  is  small  compared  with  the  size  of  the  body,  and  the  lat- 
ter is  frequently  long  and  slender.     Although  their  flight  is  slow^ 


<j^ 


84 


BIRDS    OP    PUEY. 


they  can  elevate  tliemselves  to  a  prodigious  height,  ascending  and 
descending  in  wide  spiral  circles.  Their  sigiit,  like  that  of  the 
Hawks  mid  Eagles,  is  keen  ;  and  the  organ  of  scent  was  improp- 
erly supposed  to  be  very  perfect.  Tlieynest  often  amidst  inaccessi- 
ble rocks,  laying  but  two  eggs,  and  bear  in  their  ample  craw  nour- 
iahment  for  their  young,  which  they  disgorge  before  tliem.  They 
moult  once  in  tiie  year  :  and  diflerence  of  size  alone  distingoishea 
the  sexes  in  appearance. 

None  of  the  Vultures,  properly  so  called,  exist  out  of  tlie  ancient 
continent;  but  the  genus  Ca</iar<ea,  which  comprehends  our  Vul- 
tures, admits  of  geographical  and  natural  sections,  tlie  transatlantic 
species  being  still  s'.'parable  from  those  of  America. 


1.    CATHARTES. 

br  this  genus  the  bill  is  long  and  straight,  merely  curved  towards 
the  |K)int;  tlie  cere  is  naked  and  extending  beyond  the  middle  of 
the  beak  ;  tlie  nostrils  oval,  naked  and  pervious;  and  situated 
about  the  centre  of  the  bill :  the  tongue  channeled,  with  the  edges 
serrated.  —  Head  elongated,  flattened,  and  wrinkled.  The  tarsus 
Of  leg  rather  slender  and  naked ;  tlie  side  toes  equal,  the  mid- 
dle toe  long  and  united  to  tho  exterior  at  its  base ;  the  hind  one 
shortest.  The  first  primory,  or  quill,  ratlier  short,  the  third  long- 
est. In  the  American  section  of  the  genus,  the  bill  is  rather 
Btout }  and  the  toil  consists  of  12  feathers. 


m 


,  ascending  and 
ke  that  of  the 
nt  W08  improp- 
midst  inaccesgi- 
iple  craw  nour- 
•e  tliem.  They 
e  dietinguisheB 

t  of  the  ancient 
hends  our  Vul- 
he  transatlantic 


curved  towards 
id  the  middle  of 
IB ;  and  situated 
,  with  the  edges 
led.  The  tarsus 
equal,  the  mid- 
I ;  the  liind  one 
,  the  tliird  long- 
te  bill  is  rather 


THE  CONDOR. 

{Calhitites  f^ryphus,  Temmii.ck.     Vultur  gryphus,  LiN«r,f:i;s.) 
Specific  Charactkr.  — Blackish;    wings  varied  witii  white,  and 
not  extending  beyond  the  tail ;  collar  white  ;  the  head  furnished 
with  a   tieshy   crest.  —  Female  destitute  of  the  caruncle.     Th» 
young  wholly  brown. 

The  Condor  derives  its  name  from  an  Indian  word 
which  alludes  to  its  supposed  sagacious  scent.  It  inhab- 
its the  whole  chain  of  the  Andes  of  Mexico,  Peru,  and 
Chili,  and,  on  the  authority  of  Lewis  and  Clarke,  they  are 
not  uncommon  in  the  range  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
towards  the  sources  of  the  Missouri,  where,  in  their  jour- 
ney, they  are  mentioned  as  enormous  bustards ;  though 
the  bill  and  talons  of  one  which  was  presented  to  Peale's 


36  niuus  OF  pnEY. 

museum  proved  the  bird  to  be  cither  the  present  spcciea, 
or  the  nearly  allied    Vultiir   foliforninniis.     The    migra- 
tion of  these  birds  into  this   cool  alpine  region  is  in  con- 
formity  with  their  habits  in  the  milder  climates  of  Mexico 
and  South  America,  where,  according  to  Humboldt,  they 
are  known  to  soar  to  an  elevation  almost  six  times  greater 
than  that  at  which  the   clouds   are  ordinarily  suspended 
over  our  heads.     At  the  immense  height  of  nearly  <>  per- 
pendicular miles,  the  Condor  is  seen  majestically  sailing 
in  the  ethereal  space,  watchfully   surveying  the  vast  ex- 
panse in  quest  of  his  accustomed  prey.     Elevated  farther 
above  our  pinnet  than  any  other  animal,  impelled  by  Imn- 
gcr  alone  he  d.;scen<ls  into  the  nearest  plains  which  bor- 
der the  Cordilleras;    but  his  stay   in  this  region  is  only 
for   a  few  hours,  iis  he  prefers  these   de.solatc  and  lofty 
mountains,  and  this   rarilied    a-  rial   space,   in  which  the 
barometer  only  attains   an  elevation  of  about  Hi  inches. 
These  rocky   eyries  of  the  Peruvian  Andes  (whose  plain 
is  elevated  about  15,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,) 
have  hence  obtaineil  the  vernacular  name  of  Condor  nests. 
Here,  perched  in  dreary  solitude,  on  the  cre.sts  of  scat- 
tered rocks,  at  the  very  verge  of  the  region  of  perpetual 
snow,  these  dark  gigantic  birds  are  seen  silently  reposing 
like  melancholy  spectres,  rousing  only    from  their  slum- 
bers at  the  calls  of  hunger.     Their  peculiar  residence  is 
the  great  chain  of  the  high  Andes,  where  they  associate 
3  or  4  together  upon  the   points  of  cliffs  without  either 
fearing  or  injuring  men,  so  that  they  may  be  approached 
within  4  yards  without   showing   alarm,   or  making  on 
their  part  any  attempt  at  attack.     Hardly  an  instance  is 
really  known  of  their  even   assaulting   an  infant,  though 
some  credulous  naturalists,  with  the  exaggerating  privi- 
lege of  travellers,  have  given   accounts  of  their   killing 
young  persons  of  10  or   12  years  of  age.     Their  ability 


roNDOR. 


37 


jscnt  species, 
The   iiiigra- 
ion  is  in  con- 
tes  of  Mexico 
iimbohlt,  they 
times  greater 
ily  suspended 
'  nearly  <>  per- 
itically  sailing 
r  the  vast  ex- 
evated  farther 
polled  by  hun- 
iis  which  bor- 
region  is  only 
alate  and  lofly 
in  which  the 
lOUt  Hi  inches. 
s  (whoso  plain 
ol  of  the  sea,) 
i  Condor  ufsts. 
crests  of  scat- 
a  of  perpetual 
Icutly  reposing 
onj  their  slum- 
tr  residence  is 
they  associate 
without   cither 
be  approached 
or  making  on 
an  instance  is 
infant,  though 
(fcrating  privi- 
(f  their   killing 
Their  ability 


for  such  rapine  is  not  to  be  doubted,  but  their  natural 
cowardice  forbids  the  attempt.  At  the  same  time,  it  is 
not  uncommon  to  see  them  follow  and  hover  around  a 
young  bull  until  they  have  torn  out  his  eyes  and  tongue. 

A  pair  of  Condors  will  not  only  in  this  way  attack  the 
Deer  of  the  Andes,  the  Puma  or  American  Lion  (our 
Panther),  the  Vicognc,  and  the  Lama  (or  American 
Camel),  but  also  the  Wild  Heifer.  They  will  pursue  it 
for  n  long  time,  occasionally  wounding  it  with  their  bill 
and  claws,  until  the  unfortunate  aninial,  now  stifled  and 
overcome  with  fatigue,  extends  its  tongue  and  groans  ; 
on  wliich  occasion  the  Condor  seizes  thi.'s  member,  bring 
a  very  tender  and  favorite  morsel,  and  tears  out  the  eyes 
of  his  prey,  vvhich  at  length  falls  prostrate  to  the  earth 
and  slowly  expires.  The  Condor  then  gorges  himself, 
and  rests  in  stupidity,  and  almost  gluttonous  inebriation, 
perched  upon  the  highest  neighbouring  rocks.  The  for- 
midable hunter  now  loaded  with  his  meal,  may  be  driven 
about  without  his  attempting  to  fly  ;  and  in  this  state  the 
Indians  sometimes  pursue  ihem  with  the  lasso  or  noose, 
and  easily  take  them  captive.  Thus  restrained,  the  Con- 
dor makes  extraordinary  efforts  to  rise  into  the  air ;  but 
fatigued  by  the  attempt,  he  begins  to  disgorge  himself 
freely,  an  effort  he  appears  to  assist  by  lengthening  and 
shortening  the  neck,  and  bringing  forward  the  sheath  of 
his  beak.  They  will  approach  dwellings  when  allured 
by  the  scent  of  food ;  and  a  dead  animal  will  draw  down 
a  crowd  of  these  gluttons,  where  none  at  the  time  are  at 
all  visible  ;  they  tear  and  eat  with  the  greatest  voracity, 
pushing  sometimes  with  their  feet,  and  flapping  their 
wings. 

They  make  no  nest,  but  deposit  their  eggs  upon  the 
naked  rock  ;  tlies  ;  are  wholly  white,  and  3  or  4  inches 
in  length.     It  is  said  that  the  female  remai.is  with  her 


88  BIRDS    OF    PREY. 

young  for  the  space  of  a  year.  Tlie  young  Condor  has 
no  feathers.  His  hody,  for  several  months,  is  covered 
only  with  a  very  fine  down  or  whitish  frizzled  hair,  which 
resembles  that  of  young  owls.  This  down  disfigures  the 
young  l)ird  so  much,  that  in  this  state  it  appears  almost 
as  larao  as  an  adult. 


The  Condur  at  the  end  of  the  aerornl  year  changes  from  black  to 
blackish  browii.     The  female  as  well  as  the  male,  at  this  age.  ac- 
quires the  white  color  at  the  base  of  Ihe  naked  neck,  consisting  of 
longer  feathers  than    liiose   on  the  rest  of  the   body.     The  bill   is 
straight,   but  slnmgly   hookeii  at  tlie  point ;     the   lower   mandible 
oonsideiably  shorter  tlmii  the  upper ;    the  [damage  is  white  in  front, 
everywhere  else  of  a  brownish  grey.     The  head  and  neck  are  naked, 
ami  covered  with  a  hard,  dry,  and   wrinkled  skin  of  n  reddish  color, 
nnd  scattered  over  wi;«  shor),  rigid,  brown,  or  blackish  hairs.     The 
cranium  is  remarkably  flnttencii,  an  in  most  other  ferocious  animals. 
The  lleshy,  or  almost  cartlli.ginous  crest,  peculiar  to  the  male,  occu- 
pies the  sununitof  the  head,  and  is  about  one  fourth  the  length  of  the 
bill ;.  it  is  of  an  oblong  figure,  ami  thin  and  wrinkled.     The  skin  of 
the  head  in  the  male  forms,  behind  the  eye,  fohls  or  rugosities,  and 
beard-like  lutls,  which  descend  towards  the   neck,  and  there  unite 
into  a  loose  membrane,  which  the  animal  has  the  power  of  rendering 
more  or  less  visible,  and  swelling  out  at  pleasure,  somewhat  afler 
the  manner  of  the  Turkey.     The  ear   is  large,  and  hidden  under  a 
membranous  fold.     Tlie  eye  is  remarkably  elongated,  farther  remov- 
ed from  the  bill  than  in   the   eagles,  very  lively,  and  of  a  purple 
color  ;    the  whole  neck  is  covered   with   parallel   wrinkles,  but  the 
skin  is  not  so  loose  as  that  which  covers  the  throat.     The  wrinkles 
are  placed  longitudinally,  and  originate  in  the  habit  this  Vulture  has 
ofdrawinginitsneck,  and  hiding  it  in  the  collar,  which  serves  it 
as  a  hood.     This   collar,   formed  of  silky   down,   is  common  to  the 
adult  of  both  sexes  ;    it  is  a  white  band  which  Eeparates  tlie  naked 
part  of  the  neck  from   the   rest  of  the  body   covered   with   true 
feothers.     The  back,  the  wings,  and  the  tail  are  of  a  greyish  black. 
The   feathers   of  the   Condor   are   sometimes  of  a  brilliant  black ; 
but  most  frequently  the  black  borders  on  grey.     The  primary  quill 
feathers  of  the  wing  are   black,  and  the  secondaries  are  botli  in 
the  male  and  female  exteriorly  edged  with  white.     In  the  female, 
the  wing  coverts  are  of  a  greyish-black,  but  the  points,  and  even 


Till 


CALUOnNIAN    VLLTURE. 


39 


Condor  has 
,  is  covered 
I  hair,  which 
listigures  the 
ipcurs  almost 


!s  from  l)lack  to 
at  this  age.  ac- 
k,  couHiHting  of 
y.  The  bill  in 
owpr  mandible 
I  white  ill  front, 
neck  are  naked, 
a  reddish  color, 
ish  hairs.  The 
rocious  unimals. 
tiie  male,  occu- 
le  length  of  the 
d.  The  skin  of 
rngosiliea,  and 
iind  lliiTP  unite 
ver  of  rendering 
somewhat  after 
hidden  under  a 
,  farther  reinov- 
und  of  a  purple 
rinkles,  but  the 
The  wrinkles 
this  Vulture  has 
wliich  serves  it 
common  to  the 
irates  tlie  naked 
ered  with  true 
a  greyish  black. 
brilliant  black  ; 
he  primary  quill 
.ries  are  botit  in 
In  the  female, 
[loints,  and  even 


the  half  of  thesp  feathers,  arc  white  in  the  male,  ho  that  the  wing 
appears  in  this  ex  ornamented  with  a  large  white  patch.  The 
tail  is  wedge-sliaped,  rather  siiort,  and  hiackisli  in  both  s.-.xes.  The 
feet  are  very  stout,  of  a  irreyisli  blue,  nud  ornamented  with  wiiite 
wrinkles  ;  the  nails  are  blackish,  but  lililu  crooked,  and  very  long  ; 
tht>  4  toes  are  connected  by  a  very  loose  hut  strongly  marked  mem- 
brane ;   the  4th  toe  is  very  sirmll,  and  the  nail  more  curved. 

Total  lenirti),  •.'  to  ;i  feet  2  lines  (Fremh  mensuie) ;  bill  1  inch  10 
lines;  extent  of  the  wings  about  !)  fett  and  a  half  our  measure; 
the  tail  about  1  foot  'i  inches ;  intermediati'  or  longest  toe,  with  the 
nail,  near  half  a.  foot.  The  measurements  of  this  bird  have  been 
greatly  exag;:erated  ;  an  individual,  in  the  Leveriaii  Museum  in  Eng- 
land, is  said  to  have  extended,  from  llio  end  of  the  wings,  l;(  feet 
1  inch  (Frenoli  measure.)  Desmarcliais  gave  it  a  stretch  of  1«  feet 
and  adds,  Diat  the  excessive  magnitude  of  its  wings  hindered  it  from 
entering  into  the  forests  !  It  always,  however,  li-.i/n  choice,  perches 
on  the  ground,  or  on  elevated  rocks,  its  talons,  by  their  situation,  not 
affording  it  a  Bufficient  support  on  the  branches  of  trees. 


CALIFORNIAN  VULTURE. 

(Catharte»  tal{formanU8,K\n/..  Bonapartk,  Annal.  Lye.  vol.11, 
p.  !W.  Cathaites  vttlturinu.i,  Temm.  rultttr  caUfornianus, 
L.vTiiAM.     SiiAw's  Naturalists  iVliscellany,  vd.  ix.  p.  ;!0I.) 

Spec.  Charact.  —  IJlackish  :  feathers  of  the  collar  and  breast  lanceo- 
late ;  the  wings  reaching  much  beyond  the  tail. 

This  bird  which  Menzies  brought  froui  California, 
and  deposited  in  the  British  Museum,  seems,  according 
to  Latham,  to  have  some  aftinity  with  the  Condor,  and 
almost  equals  it  in  size.  Considering  the  great  predi- 
lection ail  this  part  of  the  Vulture  .section  (Cathartes) 
have  for  temperate  regions,  seeking  out,  in  the  warmer 
latitudes,  the  high  Andes  for  their  favorite  abode,  we 
may  naturally  enough  expect  to  meet  with  this  species 
in  some  part  of  the  extensive  range  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains ;  and  indeed  we  are  by  no  means  certain  but  that 
the  Vulture  met  with  by  Lewis  and  Clarke  may,  in  fact, 


40 


BII(I>B    OF    I'RKY. 


provo  to  be  the  prownt.  Nor  i«  it  likely  tlint  this  spe- 
cies cnn  remain  wliolly  contine<l  to  the  narrow  liniit^i  of 
the  AiidcH  of  California,  but  proltnbly  it  asuocialcH  with 
the  true  Condor  over  on  extensive  range,  agreeably  to 
the  habit  of  all  the  other  species  ;  nn«l  notwithMtan<ling 
Humboldt's  criticism,  it  is  not  improbable,  that  the 
bltirk  Condor  of  the  Peruvians  may  be  the  present 
spcciee. 

Tlip  gpnornl  color  of  tliiH  bird  in  lilnck  ;  liuf  the  secondnry  quill 
fVntlif  r«  nrc  whiti»li  at  their  i-xtreiiiilieu,  and  tlu'  cove rl«  of  th« 
wiiitCH  incline  to  l)rown  ;  Uie  folded  wings  extend  beyond  the  tail. 
The  »kiii  of  llie  head  imd  n"ck  is  dentitiite  of  feathert",  snioolli  nrnl  of 
a  dusky  red  ;  aoro»»  tlie  forelieiid  [insHeH  n  l)luckiMh  Imr,  and  'J  other 
piirnllel  ones  are  seen  on  tlie  hind-head.  The  liill  is  of  a  pule  color; 
the  base  of  the  neck,,  as  usual,  is  surrounded  with  a  rulf  of  narrow 
black  feathers  ;  and  the  under  parts  of  the  body  are  covered  with 
lor.se  and  downy  plumes.  The  tail  is  equal  at  its  extremity,  and  tlie 
feut  black. 


KING  VULTURE. 

(Calhartes  papa,  Ii.mokh.  Bo.nap.    Vullur  papa,  Lin.  and  Latham. 

Gffpagus  papa,    Vikii.lot,   Diclionaire   Hist.   Nat.   vol,    xxxvi. 

p.  4riti.  tab.  ii.  fig.  1.) 
Spec.  CimiACT.  —  Reddish-white;    wings  and  tail  black  ;    nostrils 

carunculated. —  Young,  dark  bluish  ;  belly  and  sides  of  the  rump 

whitish. 

This  beautiful  species  is  found  in  America  from  the 
3()th  degree  of  north  latitude  to  the  3'2d  in  the  southern 
hemisphere  ;  but  tiiey  become  more  numerous  as  we  ad- 
vance towards  the  torrid  zone.  They  are  met  with  in 
Peru,  Brazil,  Guiana,  Paraguay,  and  Mexico. 

The  king  of  the  Vultures,  which  the  Spaniards  of  Par- 
aguay call  the  White  Crow,  from  the  color  which  pre- 
vails in  its  plumage,  is   very   shy   when  found  upon  the 


KINO  Vt'LTUBE. 


41 


tlint  tlii!4  spc- 
rou'  liinitH  of 
fWciittCH  with 

ajrrofiihly  to 
witlistaiiiliiig 
l(>,    tliat    llie 

the   present 

serondnry  quill 
coverU  of  the 
)i>yoiid  the  tail. 
«,  HiiKKitli  and  of 
hiir,  iukI  '2  otlipr 
oCa  pale  rolor  ; 
a  ruff  of  narrow 
re  covered  with 
treinity,  and  ths 


N.  and  liATnAM. 
lut.   vol.    x.vxvi. 

black  ;  nostrils 
ides  of  the  rump 

rica  from  the 
I  tlie  southern 
JUS  as  \vc  ad- 
B  met  with  in 
;o. 

niards  of  Par- 
or  which  pre- 
luud  upon  the 


ground  or  upon  an  isolated  tree,  hut  mny  be  approached 
and  readily  killed,  wlien  in  the  woods,  or  in  some  place  to 
which  carrion  has  attracted  it.  While  thi^  bird  is  feed- 
ing, cither  through  fear  or  aversion,  the  common  Vul- 
ture.-  or  Turkey-Huz/nrds  keep  at  a  distance,  and  are 
'  ont^n'id  with  the  fragments  lell  by  their  monarch. 
According  to  M.  do  Azara,  it  makes  its  nest  in  hollow 
trees,  where  it  lays  2  eggs. 

Tlii»  hill  of  this  sppfieH  ia  Htraight  for  one  third  of  it»  length,  then 
strongly  curved,  and  xurrounded  at  its  haae  by  a  nieniliiane   which 
forniB,  on  either  oide  up  to  the  eye*,  a  large  de,}reiiiiion,  in  which  are 
Hituated  the  ample  openingu  of  tlie   noHtrilii ;    between  theHe  arines  a 
kind  of  loose,  Holl  crest,  which  moves  readily  from  one  side  to  the  oth- 
er, its  extremity  tenninntiiig  in  a  remarkable  i^lunter  of  wiirls.     The 
crown  of  the  head  is  naked  and  of  a  scarlet  color  ;  a  band  of  very 
short  black  hairs  goes  from  one  eye  to  the  other  across  the  hind- 
head.     Below  the  naked  part  of  the  neck  there   is  a  very  handsome 
plumy,  greyish  collar,  with  the  feathers  directed  backward  and  for- 
ward ;  it  is  HulHciently  large  to  allow  the  bird  at  will  to  retract  and 
liide  his  neck  and  pan  of  his  head.     Behind   the  eye  are  some  large 
wrinkles  which  come  together  on   the  liind-head  and  form  a  salient, 
fleshy,  orange  band,  which  descends  from  thence  to  the  collai  ;  lliese 
wrinkles  hide  the  auditory  canal,  which  is  very  small,  and  ailer- 
.vards  unite  with  the  other  wrinkles  which  extend  to  the  bill ;  be- 
twixt these  wrinkles  we  perceive  a  down  as  well  as  on   the  other 
sides  of  the  head.  The  iiuills  and  the  great  coverts  of  the  wings,  the 
tail,  a  space  ovtr  the  back,  and   the   bill   up  to  the  nienibnine,  with 
the  feet,  are  black.    The  membrane  and  the  fleshy  crest  of  the  beak 
are  orange;    the  naked  skin  at   tlie  base  of  the  bill  is  purple;   the 
edges  of  the  eye-brows  are  of  a  lively  red ;  the  sides  of  the  neck  are  ■ 
flesh-colored,  purple  below  the  head,  yellow  above,  and  of  a  darkish 
violet  near  to  the  band,  and  tiie  wrinkles  of  the  hind-head.    The  iris, 
and  all  the  rest  of  the  plumage,  are  white.     Some  individuals,  sup- 
posed to  be  males,  have  a  feeble  tint  of  red  with  the  white  of  the 
upper  part  of  the  back.     Total   length  2i)J  inches  (French).     This 
deicription  applies  to  the  bird  when  it  haa  accomplished  its  4th 
year. 

At  3  yean  of  age  there  is  some  black  in  the  middle  of  the  white 
wing  coverts.    At  2  year$  of  age,  the  whole  head  and  the  naked 


43 


BIRI'8    or    PREV. 


purl  oi  tho  neck  arc  ut' a  black  inclinin([  to  violet,  with  a  little  yellow 
upon  the  neck  ;  all  the  upper  parta  blackiih  ;  the  lower  •imilar,  but 
with  long  lilotcheaof  white.  The  ore»t  black,  •rarcely  inovahle,  und 
having  ita  extremity  divided  into  3  very  mnall  protuheranceii.  In 
ittfirit  year,  it  Im  throughout  of  a  dark  greyiah  blue,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  belly  and  the  iiideH  of  the  rump,  which  are  white;  the 
under  part  of  the  feathers  alio  beneath  the  br)dy  nre  while.  The  feet 
greeniiih.  The  upper  mandible  in  blackiMh  red  ;  the  lower,  orange 
mixed  with  blackiHh,  und  with  long  black  apola.  The  naked  porta 
of  the  head  and  neck  black,  and  the  iria  alao  dark,  aa  well  aa  the 
creat,  which  conaiata,  at  thia  age,  of  only  a  aingle  aolid  and  lleahy 
excreacence. 


The  H'hite-tailed  Vullure  nf  Bartrani,  called  alao  the  Sacred  P'ut- 
ture,  from  ita  veneration  by  the  Creeka,  aeenia  in  thia  particular  of 
the  color  of  the  tail  to  differ  eaHcntially  from  the  true  King  Vulture, 
to  which  it  ia  referred  by  Latham.  Mr.  Vieillot  conaidera  it  aa  a  dia- 
tinct  apocieH,  and  deacribeH  it  aa  foilowa  :  It  baa  the  bill  long  and 
■traight  almoat  to  itu  extremity,  where  it  ia  curved  abruptly  and  be- 
comea  very  pointed  ;  the  head  and  peck  are  naked  almost  to  the 
Btomaoh,  where  the  fealhera  begin  to  cover  the  akin  ;  they  then 
lengllten  by  degreea,  and  form  a  rutf  in  which  the  bird,  contracting 
ita  neck,  hidea  it  up  to  the  head.  The  nuked  akin  of  the  neck  ia 
spotted,  wrinkled,  und  of  a  lively  yellow,  mixed  with  coral  red; 
the  poaterior  part  ia  ulmost  covered  with  abort  thick  huira,  and  the 
akin  ia  of  a  deep  purple,  which  becomea  more  clear  and  red  aa  it 
appruachea  the  yellow  at  the  aides  of  the  fore  part  of  the  neck  ; 
tlie  crown  of  the  head  ia  red  ;  there  are  aome  orange  red  appendices 
at  the  baae  of  the  upper  mandible.  Ita  plumoge  ia  ordinarily  white, 
with  the  exception  of  the  wing  and  2  or  ;t  rangea  of  small  feathera 
covering  it,  which  nre  of  a  fine  deep  br(jwn.  The  tail  is  large,  white, 
and  aprinMed  with  the  some  brown  or  black  <'>l)r.  The  lega  and 
feet  are  of  a  clear  white  The  eye  ia  aurroundeil  with  a  golden-col- 
ored ilia. 

The  Creeka,  according  to  Mr.  Bartrarti,  form  their  royal  atandard 
with  the  feathera  of  thia  bird,  to  whi<  U  they  give  the  name  of  the 
Eagk'^  'nil  Theae  birda  are  scarcely  ever  seen  in  Floridn,  except 
after  tlic  burning  of  the  prairies,  when  they  assemble  from  all  quar- 
ters, and  approaching  by  degrees  the  scorched  plains,  collect,  aniidat 
the  still  warm  uahea,  the  roasting  reptilea,  snakes,  lizards,  frogs,  &C. 
on  which  they  feed.    Having  thus  gorged  themselves,  they  become 


M* 


TtrRKKY-nt'K/AnU. 


43 


It  a  little  y«llow 
iver  limilar,  but 
\y  movnblit,  und 
tuht>ranc(>«.  In 
with  tilt"  eic»p- 
Br«  wliite  ;  the 
vhit«.  The  I'eet 
(•  lower,  ornngp 
'he  linked  partu 
I,  M  well  A*  the 
olid  and  ilethy 


the  Snered  Vul- 
hJH  pnrticuliir  o( 
B  King  Vulture, 
lidiTH  it  uM  a  dis- 
le  bill  lung  and 
liruptly  and  be- 
ed  iilmnst  to  the 
kin  -,  they  then 
nrd,  contracting 
1  of  the  neck  ii< 
with  coral  red ; 
k  liuiru,  and  the 
r  and  red  as  it 
irt  of  the  neck  ; 
red  appendices 
)rdinarily  white, 
f  aniall  featherH 
1  in  large,  white, 
■.  The  legs  and 
ith  a  golden-col- 

ir  royal  standard 
the  name  of  the 
1  Florida,  except 
lie  from  all  quar- 
8,  collect .  amidst 
zards,  frogs,  &c. 
es,  they  become 


an  eaiy  prey,  and,  even  during  their  repast,  i««m  lo  employed  aa  to 
fear  no  danger.  During  n  late  jiurney  to  West  Florida  I  made 
many  inipijries  reHpecting  this  rare  bird,  but  rould  only  learn,  thut 
Uiey  were  occasionally  seen  near  tlie  sea-coBst  of  the  Oulf  of 
Mexico. 


TURKEY-BUZZARD. 

(Calharlei  aura,  lu.io.    Boi»ap.     I'ultur  awa,  Liw.   and  Lath. 
VViLsow.  Am.  Orn.  Vol.  ix.  p.  1)5.  pi.  75.  f.  1.) 

Spic.  CiiAHACT.  —  niackish  ;  neck  feathered  equally  all  round; 
wlnga  not  e.ttending  beyond  the  tail,  which  is  rounded ;  the  no»- 
trils  ovul. —  YouiiK,  dark  brown;  with  the  wing-covert«  and 
secondaries  somewhat  spotied  with  white. 

This  coiiunoii  Turkey-liko  Vulture  is  found  abund- 
antly in  both  North  and  South  America,  but  seems 
wholly  to  avoid  the  North-eastern  or  New  Enghmd  states, 
a  straggler  being  seldom  seen  as  far  as  the  latitude  of  41 
degrees.  VVliether  this  limit  arises  from  some  local  an- 
tipathy, their  dislike  of  the  cold  eastern  storms  which 
prevail  in  the  spring  till  the  time  they  usually  breed,  or 
some  other  cause,  it  is  not  easily  assignable  ;  and  the  fact 
is  still  more  remarkable,  as  they  have  been  observe^ 
in  the  interior,  by  Mr.  Say,  as  far  as  P»>mbino  in  the  41  vh 
degree  of  north  latitude,  an.'  ^  Lewis  and  Ciarke 
near  the  Falls  of  the  Columbia.  They  are,  however, 
much  more  abundant  in  tlu;  warmer  than  in  the  colder 
regions ;  and  are  founrl  beyond  the  equator,  even  n  >■  far, 
or  farther  than  the  La  Plata.  All  the  West  India  isl- 
ands are  inhabited  by  t!iem,  as  well  as  the  tropical  con- 
tinent, where,  as  in  the  Southern  states  of  the  Union, 
they  are  commonly  protected  by  law,  for  their  services 
as  scavengers  t^f  carrion,  which  would  prove  highly  dele- 
terious in  those  warm  and  humid  climates.  In  the  win- 
ter they  generally  seek  out  warmth  and  shelter,  hovering 


1^ 


44 


BIRDS    OP    PREY. 


often  like  grim  and  boding  spectres  in  the  suburbs,  and 
on  the  roofs  and  chimneys  of  the  houses,  around  the 
cities  of  the  Southern  states.  A  few  brave  the  winters 
of  Maryland,  Delaware,  and  New  Jersey  ;  but  the 
greater  part  migrate  south  at  the  approach  of  cold 
weather. 

The  Turkey-Buzzard  has  not  been  known  to  breed 
north  of  New  Jersey  in  any  of  the  Atlantic  states.  Here 
they  seek  out  the  swampy  solitudes,  and,  without  forming 
any  nest,  deposit  from  2  to  4  eggs  in  the  stump  of  a 
hollow  tree  or  log,  on  the  mere  fragments  of  rotten  wood 
with  which  it  is  ordinarily  strewed.  Occasionally,  in 
the  Southern  states,  they  have  been  known  to  make 
choice  of  the  ruined  chimney  of  a  deserted  house  for 
this  purpose.  The  eggs  are  larger  than  those  of  a  Tur- 
key, of  a  yellowish  white,  irregularly  blotched  with  dark 
brown  and  blackish  spots,  chiefly  at  the  larger  end. 
The  male  often  attends  while  the  female  is  sitting  ;  and, 
if  not  materially  disturbed,  they  will  continue  to  occupy 
the  same  place  for  several  years  in  succession. 

The  young  are  covered  with  a  whitish  down,  and,  in 
common  with  the  habit  of  the  old  birds,  will  often  eject, 
upon  those  who  happen  to  molest  them,  the  filthy  con- 
tents of  their  stomachs. 

In  the  cities  of  the  south  they  appear  to  be  somewhat 
gregarious ;  and,  as  if  aware  of  the  protection  afforded 
them,  present  themselves  often  in  the  streets,  and  partic- 
ularly near  the  shambles.  They  also  watch  the  empty- 
ing of  the  scavengers'  carts  in  the  suburbs,  where,  in  com- 
pany with  the  still  more  domestic  Black  Vultures,  they 
search  out  their  favorite  morsels  amidst  dust,  filth,  and 
rubbish  of  all  descriptions.  Bits  of  cheese,  of  meat, 
fish,  or  any  thing  sufiiciently  foetid,  and  easy  of  digestion, 
is  greedily  sought  after,   and  eagerly  eyed.     When  the 


^T^XSJvSfeW^WWP^.WaiSr^SSSKSSPSSB^S 


TURKEY-BUZZABD. 


4ft 


suburbs,  and 
;s,  around  the 
ve  the  winters 
sey  ;  but  the 
oach   of    cold 

nown  to  breed 
;  states.  Here 
ithout  forming 
he  stump  of  a 
)f  rotten  wood 
casionally,  in 
own  to  make 
rted  house  for 
lose  of  a  Tur- 
hed  with  dark 
e  larger  end. 
I  sitting  ;  and, 
uue  to  occupy 
ion. 

iown,  and,  in 
ill  often  eject, 
the  filthy  con- 

)  be  somewhat 
ction  afforded 
ts,  and  partic- 
;h  the  empty- 
ivhere,in  com- 
Vultures,  they 
ust,  filth,  and 
sese,  of  meat, 
ly  of  digestion, 
d.     When  the 


opportunity  offers  they  eat  with  gluttonous  voracity,  and 
fill  themselves  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  sometimes  in- 
capable of  rising  from  the  ground.  They  are  accused  at 
times  of  attacking  young  pigs  and  lambs,  beginning  their 
assault  by  picking  out  the  eyes.  Mr.  Waterton,  how- 
ever, while  at  Demerara,  watched  them  for  hours  together 
amidst  reptiles  of  all  descriptions,  but  they  never  made 
any  attack  upon  them.  He  even  killed  lizards  and  frogs 
and  put  them  in  their  way,  but  they  did  not  appear  to 
notice  them  until  they  attained  the  putrid  scent.  So 
that  a  more  harmless  animal,  living  at  all  upon  flesh,  is 
not  in  existence,  than  the  Turkey  Vulture. 

At  night  they  roost  in  the  neighbouring  trees,  but,  I 
believe,  never  in  flocks  like  the  Black  kind.  In  winter 
they  sometimes  pass  the  night  in  numbers  on  the  roofs 
of  the  houses,  in  the  suburbs  of  the  southern  cities,  and 
appear  particularly  desirous  of  taking  advantage  of  the 
warmth  which  they  discover  to  issue  from  the  chimneys. 
Here,  when  the  sun  shines,  they  and  their  black  rela- 
tives, though  no  wise  social,  may  be  observed  perch- 
ed in  these  conspicuous  places  basking  in  the  feeble 
rays,  and  stretching  out  their  dark  wings  to  admit  the 
warmth  directly  to  their  chilled  bodies.  And,  when  not 
engaged  in  acts  of  necessity,  they  amuse  themselves  on 
fine  clear  days,  even  at  the  coolest  season  of  the  year, 
by  soaring,  in  companies,  slowly  and  majestically  into  the 
higher  regions  of  the  atmosphere  ;  rising  gently,  but  rap- 
idly, in  vast  spiral  circles,  they  sometimes  disappear 
beyond  the  thinnest  clouds.  They  practise  his  lofty 
flight  particularly  before  the  commencement  of  thunder 
storms  ;  when,  elevated  above  the  war  of  elements,  they 
float  at  ease  in  the  ethereal  space  with  outstretched 
wings,  making  no  other  apparent  effort  than  the  light 
balloon,  only  now  and  then  steadying  their  sailing  pin- 


46 


BIRDS   OF   PREY. 


ions  as  they  spread  them  to  the  fanning  breeze,  and  be- 
come abandoned  to  its  accidental  sports.  In  South 
America,  according  to  Humboldt,  they  soar  even  in  com- 
pany with  the  Condor  in  his  highest  flights,  rising  above 
the  snowy  summits  of  the  tropical  Andes. 

Mr.  Waterton  is  of  opinion  that  this  Vulture  is  not 
truly  gregarious,  arriving  at  their  food  from  various 
quarters,  and  coming  singly.  It  is  indeed  certain  that 
on  all  other  occasions  they  keep  only  in  pairs. 

The  Turkey  Vulture  is  about  24  feet  in  length,  and  0  in  breadth. 
Eyes  dark  or  reddish-hazel.  The  head  and  neck  for  about  an  inch 
and  a  half  below  the  ears,  furnished  with  a  reddish  wrinkled  skin, 
and  some  tints  of  blue,  sprinkled  with  short  black  hairs.  From  the 
hind-head  to  the  neck-feathers  the  space  is  covered  with  a  black 
down.  Tile  fore-part'of  the  neck  is  bare  to  the  breast-bone.  The 
plumage  of  the  neck  is  large  and  tumid,  and,  with  that  of  the  back  and 
shoulders,  nearly  black ;  almost  all  the  rest  of  tlie  body  is  of  the  same 
color,  in  parts  inclining  to  brown.  3d  primary  longest.  The  wings 
extend  to  the  end  of  the  tail.  The  upper  plumage  is  generally  glossed 
with  green  and  bronze,  having  purplish  reflections.  Legs  feathered 
to  tlie  knees  ;  the  feet  somewhat  webbed.  The  bill  nearly  white, 
oflen  tipped  with  bright  olive  green.    Weight  from  44  to  5  pounds. 


BLACK  VULTURE,  or  'CARRION-CROW.' 

(Cathartes  jota,  Bonaparte.     Vultur  jota,  Molina.     V.  atratus. 
Wilson.  Am.  Orn.  ix.  p.  104.  pi.  75.  f.  2.) 

Spec.  Chauact.  —  Black  ;  neck  more  feathered  above  thnn  below; 
wings  not  extending  beyond  the  tail ;  5th  primary  longest ;  tail 
a  little  emarginated  ;  the  nostrils  linear-oblong,  and  the  head 
black,  —  Young,  entirely  brown. 

This  smaller,  black,  and  truly  gregarious  species  of 
Vulture,  in  tho  United  States,  appears  to  be  generally 
confined  to  the  narrowest  limits  of  the  Southern  states, 


■  iiiiMwa>jW»\'.«w.?JiiU'i!ja!Li.jr!'u:'jj»a^v8i^^^ 


BLACK    VCtTURE. 


47 


eeze,  and  be- 

i.      In  South 

even  in  com- 

,  rising  above 

ulture  is  not 
from  various 
1   certain  that 

,rs. 

ind  C  in  breadth. 
r  al)out  an  inch 

I  wrinkled  skin, 
lairs.  From  tJie 
:d  with  a  black 
east-bone.  The 
t  of  the  back  and 
ly  is  of  the  same 
est.  The  winga 
eneraily  glossed 

Legs  feathered 

II  nearly  white, 
4i^  to  5  pounds. 


-CROW.' 

A.  V.  atratus. 
2.) 

)ve  than  below; 
ry  longest ;  tail 
;,  and  the  head 


JUS  species  of 

be  generally 

4theru  states, 


being  scarcely  found  beyond  Wilmington  in  North  Car- 
olina, and  seems  to  be  most  numerous  and  familiar  io 
the  large  maritime  towns  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia, 
and  Florida  :  thus,  though  abundant  in  Savannah,  there 
are  much  fewer  of  this  species  at  Augusta  than  of  the 
Turkey  Vulture.  In  tJie  tropical  regions  of  America 
they  are  also  very  common,  and  e.\tend  at  least  as  far  as 
Chili.  Like  the  former  species,  with  whicii  they  associ- 
ate only  at  meal-times,  they  are  allowed  a  j)ublic  jjrotec- 
tion  for  tlie  service  they  render  in  ridding  the  earth  of 
carrion  and  other  kiud.s  of  fdth.  Tliey  are  much  more 
familiar  in  the  towns  than  the  preceding  ;  delighting,  dur- 
ing winter,  to  remain  on  the  roofsof  houses,  catching  the 
feeble  rays  of  tiie  sun,  and  stretching  out  their  wings  to 
admit  the  warm  air  over  tlieir  fa>tid  bodies.  Wiicn  the 
weather  becom'  ^uisually  cliilly,  or  in  the  mornings, 
they   may  be  -asking  upon  the  chimneys   in  the 

warm  smoke,  whicli,  as  well  as  the  soot  itself,  can  add 
no  additional  darkness  or  impurity  to  such  filthy  and 
melancholy  spectres.  Here,  or  on  the  limbs  of  some  of 
the  larger  trees,  they  remain  in  listless  indolence  til? 
aroused  by  the  calls  of  hunger. 

Their  flight  is  neither  so  easy  nor  so  graceful  as  that  of 
the  Turkey-Buzzard.  They  flap  their  wings  and  then 
soar  horizontally,  renewing  the  motion  of  their  pinions 
at  short  intervals.  At  tijnes,  however,  they  rise  to  con- 
siderable elevations.  In  the  city  of  Charleston  and 
Savannah  they  are  to  be  seen  in  numbers  walking  the 
streets  with  all  tbp  Aimiliarity  of  domestic  fowls,  exam- 
iningthe  channels  and  accumulations  of  filth  in  order  to 
glean  up  the  off"al,  or  animal  matter  of  any  kind,  which 
may  happen  to  be  thrown  out.  They  appeared  to  be  very 
regular  in  their  attendance  around  the  shambles,  and 
some  of  them  become  known  by  sight.     This  was  partio- 


48 


BIRDS    OF    PUEV. 


ular]y  the  case  with  an  old  veteran  who  hopped  upon 
one  foot,  (having  by  some  accident  lost  the  other,)  and 
had  regilarly  appeared  round  the  shambles  to  claim  the 
bounty  of  the  butchers  for  about  20  years.  In  the  coun- 
try, where  I  have  surprised  them  feeding  in  the  woods, 
they  appeared  rather  shy  and  timorous,  watching  my 
movements  alertly  like  hawks ;  and  every  now  and  then 
one  or  two  of  them,  as  they  sat  in  the  high  boughs  of  a 
neighbouring  oak,  communicated  to  the  rest,  as  I  tlowly 
approached,  a  low  bark  of  uliirm  or  wnn^■/l,  something 
like  the  suppressed  growl  of  a  puppy,  at  which  the  whole 
flock  by  degrees  deserted  the  dead  hog  upon  whicli  they 
happened  to  be  feeding.  Sometimes  they  will  collect 
together  about  one  carcase  to  the  number  of 'MO  and  up- 
wards ;  and  the  object,  whatever  it  may  be,  is  soon 
robed  in  living  mourning,  scarcely  any  thing  being  visi- 
ible  but  a  dense  mass  of  these  sable  scavengers,  who 
may  often  be  seen  jealously  contending  with  each  other, 
both  in  and  out  of  the  carcase,  defiled  with  blood  and 
filth,  holding  on  with  their  feet,  hissing  and  clawing  each 
other,  or  tearing  off  morsels  so  as  to  fill  their  throats 
nearly  to  choaking,  and  occasionally  joined  by  growling 
dogs  :  the  whole  presenting  one  of  the  most  savage  and 
disgusting  scenes  in  nature,  and  truly  worthy  the  infer- 
nal bird  of  Prometheus. 

In  Carthagena,  however,  according  to  UUoa,  this  spe- 
cies is  highly  serviceable  to  man,  in  the  destruction  it 
makes  of  the  eggs  of  the  Alligator  or  Cayman,  the  latter 
being  one  of  the  most  formidable  and  destructive  ani- 
mals of  South  America.  The  Vulture  watches  the  Alli- 
gator as  she  lays  her  eggs  in  the  sand,  and,  immediately, 
on  her  disappearance,  darts  upon  the  deposit,  and  joined, 
as  usual,  by  numerous  comrades,  soon  extinguishes  these 
nests  of  reptiles. 


mmmgifmrxii^^itVK^-'^' 


FALCON. 


49 


liopped  upon 
e  other,)  and 
s  to  claim  the 

In  the  coun- 
in  the  woods, 
watcliing  my 
low  and  then 
1  boughs  of  a 
St,  as  I  eIowIv 
'r/i,  sometliing 
ich  tlic  whole 
m  wliich  tlicy 
y  will  collect 
if  iloO  and  up- 
y  be,  is  soon 
[ig  being  visi- 
ivcngors,  who 
th  each  otiier, 
ith  blood  and 
I  clawing  each 

their  tlnoats 
d  by  growling 
)st  savage  and 
rthy  the  infer- 

nioa,  this  spe- 
dcstruction  it 
iian,  the  latter 
structive  ani- 
ches  the  AUi- 
,  immediately, 
it,  and  joined, 
iguishes  these 


According  to  Mr.  Abbott,  this  species  choo-ses  similar 
situations  for  its  nest  with  the  Turkey-Buzzard,  iixing 
upon  hollow  trees  in  retired  swamps.  As  no  particulars, 
however,  are  given,  this  information  is  merely  hearsay. 
I  made  frequent  inquiries  of  many  individuals  in  all  the 
Southern  states  about  the  nest  of  this  species,  but  no 
person  could  inform  me  that  they  had  ever  seen  it.  Mo- 
lini,  in  his  History  of  Chili,  says,  that  it  makes  a  careless 
nest  of  a  few  dry  leaves  or  feathers,  either  on  the  ground, 
or  sheltered  by  rocks,  and  lays  2  eggs  of  a  dirty  white! 

The  Black  Vulture  is  about  2(!  inches  long ;  and  4  feet  '  inches  in 
the  stretcli  of  the  wings.  The  bill  24  inches,  of  a  dark  brown  color 
for  about  an  inch,  tho  remainder  black.  The  head,  and  a  part  of  the 
neck,  are  covered  with  a  black,  wrinkled  skin,  scattered  with  papH. 
lose  excrescences,  and  set  with  short  black  hairs,  and  downy  be- 
hind.  Iris  reddish-hazel.  The  general  color  of  the  plumage  is  of  a 
dull  black.  A  dark  cream-colored  spot  is  visible  on  the  primaries 
when  the  wing  is  unfolded.  The  legs  whitish  grey.  The  body 
when  opened,  smells  strongly  of  musk,  ' 


2.     FALCON. 

(Falco.   Li.vN.  and  Temminck.) 
Generic  Charact.  —  With  the  head  covered  with  feath- 
ers.     The  bill  hooked ;    and  commonly  curved  from 
its  origin  ;  provided  with  a  colored  cere,  more  or  le.ss 
hairy  at  its  base  ;  the  lower  mandible  obliquely  round- 
ed, and  both  sometimes  notched.     The  nostrils  lat- 
eral, rounded  or  ovoid,  situated  in  the  cere  and  open. 
The  TARSUS   clothed   with   feathers,   or   naked,   and 
then   scaly ;    the   toes  are   3  before,   and   1  behind  ; 
the  exterior  commonly  united  at   its  base   to  the  ad- 
joining by  a  membrane.     iVnih  sharp,  strongly  hook- 
ed, movable,  and  retractile.      Tail  of  12  feathers 
5 


60 


iiinns  OF  PiiEY. 


Tiif.se  are  the  noble  birdfi  of  prey  ;  llieir  aspect,  entire  ibrin,  and 
actions  indicate  the  different  manner  of  living  they  pursue,  from 
that  of  the  Vnltures.  Strength,  temerity,  and  stratagem  are  the 
attributes  of  this  great  family  of  rapacious  birds  ;  they  are  provided 
with  offensive  arms  denied  to  tlie  ignoble  race  who  feed  on  carrion  ; 
the  means  of  flight,  the  jiower  of  seizing  their  prey,  us  well  as  the 
vision,  are  very  different  in  each.  In  these,  the  size  of  the  head  is 
in  proportion  to  the  body,  and  wholly  covered  with  feathers,  as  well 
as  the  neck,  which  is  short  and  thick.  Their  vision  is  acute  and 
extensive,  their  flight  rapid  and  long  sustained  ;  and  they  are  able 
to  soar  to  a  prodigious  height.  They  live  either  solitary  or  in  pairs ; 
and  their  nr>urishuieat,  by  choice,  consists  almost  always  of  living 
animals,  which  they  seize  and  convey  in  their  talons ;  the  different 
mannerofseizing  their  prey,  and  the  courage  they  display  in  its  pur- 
suit; distinguish  them  one  from  another.  The  l.irger  species  subsist 
on  nuadrupeds  and  birds  ;  others  on  flsh  ;  some  only  attack  reptiles : 
but  the  greater  nuinlifr  of  the  small  species  are  content  to  live  on 
insects,  and  principally  devour  beetles.  The  plumage,  at  different 
periods  of  age  is  extremely  different ;  the  young  are  several  years 
before  they  acquire  the  stable  livery  of  the  adult;  this  fixed  charac- 
ter <nily  takes  place  in  their  ;W,  ■1th,  or  even,  in  some  si)ecie8, 
their  (ith  year.  The  young  are  always  distinguished  from  the  old 
by  having  more  numerous  and  variable  spots  and  lines ;  when  the 
colors  of  the  plumage  in  old  individuals  are  disposed  in  transverse 
lines  and  bands,  the  young  of  such  species  have  the  same  marks  dis- 
*  posed  lengthwise.  The  females  are  usually  a  third  larger  than  the 
i'  other  sex ;  besides  which  disparity,  they  have  often  also  a  different- 
colored  plumage.  The  moulting  takes  place  only  onci.'  in  the  year. 
it  appears  scarcely  possible,  that  amidst  a  genus  only  distinguish- 
ed for  liiirsh  and  quailing  cries,  a  musical  species  should  occur ;  yet 
according  to  Daudin  the  Falcn  tnusicus,  of  Caffraria,  oliants  a  song 
morning  and  evening,  and  sometimes  like  the  nightingale  even  con- 
tiiues  his  lay  throughout  the  night. 


§1. 


■FALCONS  PROPERLY  SO  CALLED. 


In  these  the  bill  is  short,  ond  curved  from  the  base  ;  tlie  edges  of 
the  upper  mandible  provided  with  a  tooth  which  closes  into  a 
corresponding  notch  in  the  lower ;  the  nostrils  rounded,  and  hav- 


*■ 


iitire  form,  uiid 
1  pursue,  from 
itageni  lire  the 
?y  nre  provided 
eed  on  carrion  ; 
,  08  well  as  the 
!  of  the  head  is 
Bather«,  ns  well 
in  i»  iicute  and 
1  they  are  able 
ary  or  in  pairs ; 
Iwnys  of  living 
I ;  t)ie  different 
iplay  in  its  piir- 
'  specieH  aubHist 
attack  reptiles ; 
nteiit  to  live  on 
^e,  at  difl'erent 
re  several  years 
lis  fixed  charac- 
I  some  species, 
d  from  the  old 
nes ;  when  the 
d  in  transverse 
lame  markn  dis- 
larger  than  the 
also  a  different- 
icf  in  the  year, 
nly  distingiiish- 
uuld  occur ;  yet 
,  chants  a  bong 
ngale  even  con- 


-ED. 

le  ;  the  edges  of 
ch  closes  into  a 
unded,  and  hav- 


CVnFAI.CON.  5  J 

ing  a  central  tubercle.  Feet  strong;  tarsi  rather  short;  toes 
strong  and  considerably  extended  ;  nails  long,  sharp,  and  curved, 
ilie  wings  long;  the  1st  primary  e,,ual  in  length  to  the  Md  • 
the  Ud  longest;  the  1st  and  -.'d  have  an  abrupt  emargination  on 
the  nnier  web  near  their  extremities. 

These  exist  wholly  on  living  prey,  and  show  great  address  in  seiz- 
•ng  or  surprising  it;  pursuing  birds  swiftly,  or  pouncing  directly  up- 
on  the...  ,V„n.  above.  They  nest  usually  in  the  crevices  of  rock., 
run  s,  ,r  hollow  trees.  These  were  the  species  used  in  Fal- 
conry, and  culled  nobk  because  of  the  high  prerogative  of  those  who 
followed  tins  amusement.  The  snw.ller  sj.ecies  live  nmch  on  Insects 
or  reptiles.  I„  the  island  of  Java  their  exists  a  species  of  this  divi- 
sion  no  larger  than  a  lark. 


GYRFALCON. 

{Fako  islandieus,  L.4tii.  m.  Ind.Orn  v.  i.  p.  32.  sp.  (!«).  [the  adultl 
and  Fako  gyrfako.  Ib.„.  Ind.  v.  \.  p.  32.  sp.  08.  [the  young.]  ) 

Spkc.  C.AUACT.-Cere  and  round  the  eyes  livid  yellow;  felt  yel- 
ow  ;  plumage  white,  lined  and  spotted  with  brown  ;  iris  brown  ; 
bands  of  ,he  tail  12  to  U  -  Femak  more  spotted,  al.o  banded  on 
the  tlanks.-  r„„„g.  Upper  plumage  g.eyish-brown,  with  sn.all. 
white  terminal  spots;  feet  phunbeous,  sligl.Uy  inclining  to  yel- 
low ;  cere  light  bluisii. 

Titi.s  eloornnt  and  celehratod  |alcon  is  about  2  feet  in 
lengtli  ;  the  female  'Z  or  3  inches  longer.  They  particu- 
larly abound  in  Iceland  and  Greenland,  and  are  found 
also  throughout  Siberia,  and  the  North  of  Europe  ;  Mr 
Hutchins,  according  to  Pennant,  saw  them  commonly 
ubout  Fort  Albany,  at  Hudson's  Cay.  Occasionally  a 
pair  IS  also  seen  in  this  vicinity  in  the  depth  of  winter. 
They  brave  the  coldest  climates,  for  which  they  have 
such  a  predilection  as  seldom  to  leave  the  arctic  regions ; 
the  younger  birds  are  commonly  seen  in  the  North  of 
Germany,  but  very  rarely  the  old,   which  are  readily  dis- 


53 


IIIIIDH    OF    PnKV. 


tinguiNlicd  by  the  superior  wliitcncss  of  their  jdumagc 
which  augments  willi  age,  anil  by  the  increasing  narrow- 
ness of  the  transverse  stripes  that  ornament  the  upper 
parts  of  tlie  body.  The  finest  of  these  Falcons  were 
cauglit  in  Iceland  by  means  of  baited  nets  ;  the  bait  was 
commonly  a  Ptarmigan,  Pigeon,  or  common  Fowl,  and 
such  was  the  velocity  and  power  of  his  pounce,  that  he 
commonly  severed  the  head  from  the  baited  bird  as 
nicely  as  if  it  had  been  done  by  a  razor.  Tiiese  birds 
were  reserved  for  the  kings  of  Denmark,  and  from  thence 
they  were  formerly  transported  into  Germany,  and  even 
Turkey  and  Persia.  The  taste  for  the  amusement  of 
falconry  was  once  very  prevalent  throughout  Europe, 
and  continue'  for  several  centuries,  but  at  this  time  it 
has  almost  wholly  subsided.  The  Tartars,  and  Asiatics 
generally,  were  also  equally  addicted  to  this  amusement. 
A  Sir  Thomas  Monson,  no  later  than  the  reign  of  James 
the  First,  is  said  to  have  given  a  thousand  pounds  for  a 
cast  of  Hawks. 

Next  to  the  Eagle,  this  bird  is  the  most  formidable, 
.active,  and  intrepid,  and  was  held  in  the  highest  esteem 
for  falconry.  It  boldly  attacks  the  largest  of  birds  ;  the 
Stork,  Heron,  and  Crane  are  to  it  easy  victims  ;  in  its 
native  regions  it  lives  much  on  the  hare  and  Ptarmigan; 
upon  these  it  darts  with  astonishing  velocity,  and  often 
seizes  its  prey  by  pouncing  upon  it  almost  perpendicu- 
larly. They  breed  in  the  cold  and  desert  regions  where 
they  usually  dwell,  fixing  their  nests  amidst  the  most 
lofty  and  inaccessible  rocks,  and  are  said  to  lay  from 
3  to  5  eggs. 

In  the  old  male,  tiie  bottom  of  all  the  plumage  is  white,  striped  upon 
the  upper  parts  of  the  body  and  the  tail  with  narrow  brown  bands. 
The  lower  parts  are  equally  white,  but  marked  with  small  brown 
spots  in  the  form  of  tears  ;  iliese  spots  r.re  larger  and  more  numer- 
ous upon  the  flanks.    The  bill  is  yellowish. 


cir  ])liimagc 
^ing  narrow- 
It  the  upper 
alcoiis  were 
the  bait  was 
I  Fowl,  and 
ncc,  that  he 
te<l  bird  as 
These  birds 
from  thence 
y,  and  even 
nusement  of 
out  Europe, 
this  time  it 
and  Asiatics 
amusement, 
ign  of  James 
pounds  for  a 

t  formidable, 
giicst  esteem 
f  birds  ;  the 
;tinis  ;  in  its 
1  Ptarmigan; 
ly,  and  often 

perpendicu- 
egions  where 
dst  the  most 

to  lay  from 


te,  striped  upon 
V  brown  bands, 
til  Bmall  brown 
d  more  numer- 


COMMON  on  WANDERING   FALCON. 

(Faleo peregrimts.  Lix.  Great-footed  Hinvk.  Wilson,  Am.  Orn. 
i\.  J).  \-i{).  t.  7(;.  Ai  iH  no.\,  pi.  I(i.  [u  spirited  group  in  the  act  of 
devouring  IVal.]  Le  Faueun.  Bufk,  pi.  4'2I.  Lt  Lanier.  MA. 
pi.  430,  [an  old  male.] ) 

e5i>Ec.  CiiAHA.  T.  —  Brownisli-liincit  ;  beneath,  whitish,  transversely 
liarred  witli  blackisli  brown  ;  clieeks  with  a  wideninjr  sjiace  of 
black;  middle  toe  as  long  as  the  tarsus;  inner  web  of  the  Ist 
primary  only  indenied  near  the  summit.  — /Vmo/t-  inclining  to 
nsh-color;  beneiith,  tending  to  ferruginous,  —  I'ouH^-  alone, 
greyish-black,  the  feathers  edged  with  pale  brown;  beneath^ 
whitish,  with  large  /"/),^i7m(//)1(i/ central  brown  spots  ;  also  with  the 
fore  and  hind  iiead  and  cheeks  whitish  yellow   with  black  spots. 

The  celebrated,  powerful,  and  princely  Falcon  iscomi 
mon  both  to  the  continent  of  Europe  and  America.  In 
the  former  they  are  chiefly  found  in  mountainous  regions, 
and  make  their  nest,s  in  the  most  inaccessible  clelus  of 
rocks,  and  very  rarely  in  trees,  laying  3  or  4  eggs  of  a 
reddish-yellow  with  brown  spots.  In  Europe,  they  seldom 
descend  to  the  plains,  and  avoid  mar.shy  countries.  The 
period  of  incubation  lasts  but  a  short  time,  and  com- 
mences in  winter,  or   very  ea.Iy   in  the  Spring,  so  that 


r>4 


niKOM  nv  I'nr.v. 


tho  yoiiiiK  nc«iuirr!  their   full   jjrowtli    l>y    tlu'  middle!    of 
May.     They  nrc  niipposcel   to  hrecd  in  the  ♦all  trees  of 
the  desolate  CVdar  swamps    in    New  Jersey  ;    which  ap- 
pears lo   he  a   situation   very   different    from  their  usual 
choice    in    Europe.       When    lln^    yonu«,'   hiive     attained 
their  growth,  the  parents  drive   them  from  their  lniunts, 
witii  incessant  and  picrcinjf   screams  an<l  complaints,  an 
unnriturn!  propensity  which    nothing   hut   dire  n"e.ssity, 
the  <lillicuiiy  of  accpiiring  sustenance,  alone  can  ,>alliatc. 
In  strength  and  te/ncrity,  tho  Falcon  is  not  exceeded 
hy  any  bird  of  its   size.     He  ."oars  with  easy  and  grace- 
ful motions  amidst  the  clouds  or  clear  azure  of  the  sky  ; 
from  this  lofty  elevation  he  selects  his  victim  from   imong 
the  larger  birds,  Grons,   Theasants,  Pigeons,  Ducks,  or 
Geese.      Without  being  perceived,    he  swiftly    descends, 
as  if  falling  from  the  clouds  in  a  perpendicular  line,  and 
carries  terror  and  destruction   into  the  timid  ranks  of  his 
prey.     Instead  of  flying   before   their  relentless  enemy, 
the  Partridge  and  Pheasant   run    and  closely  hide  in  the 
grass,  the  Pigeons  glance    aside   to   avoid   the  fatal  blow 
which  is  but  too  sure  in    its  aim,   and   the   water  fowls 
seek  a  more  certain  refuge  in  diving  beneath  their  yield- 
ing clement.     If  the  prey  be  not  too  largt.',    the   Falcon 
mounts  into  tho  air,  bearing  it  off  in  his  talons,  and  then 
alights  to  gorge  himself  with  his  booty  at  leisure.    Some- 
times  he  attacks    the    Kite,   another   fellow    plunderer, 
either  in  wanton  insult,  or  more  probably  to  rob  him  of 
his  quarry. 

The  name  of  Wandering  or  Passenger  Falcon  was  ap- 
plied to  the  darkest  individuals,  a  character  merely  de- 
pending on  age.  These  frequently  migrate  icross  the 
Mediterranean  from  the  islands  to  the  ueiglil">uring  con- 
tinent, and  hence  were  looked  upon  as  foreign.  They 
do  not,  however,  essentially  differ  from  the  common  spe- 


COMMON  OR  WAN'DKrtlNti   KAI.rON, 


M 


'  middle!    of 

all  trocH  of 

wliicli  ap- 

tiicir  uHiial 
,•0  ntlniiiod 
heir  haunts, 
iipliiints,  an 
■I'  II'  cowity, 
can  ,>.-iliiatc. 
lot  exci'cded 
■f  and  grace- 
of  tlip  sky  ; 
Iroiii  iiiiong 
I,  Ducks,  or 
y  descends, 
lar  line,  and 
ranks  of  his 
less  enemy, 
r  hide  in  the 
10  fatal  blow 

water  fowls 
1  their  yicld- 

tlie  Falcon 
ns,  and  then 
sure.  Some- 
f  plunderer, 
0  rob  him  of 

Icon  was  ap- 
r  merely  de- 
te  across  the 
bouring  con- 
eign.  They 
common  spe- 


cies. Edwards'  HIack  Falcon  of  Hudson's  Bay  is  this 
kind  in  the  same  state  of  plumage.  In  New  Jersey,  it 
has,  from  its  noted  depredations,  acfpnred  the  name  of 
the  Duck-Hawk  along  the  sea-coast,  wln>re  it  is  not  un- 
frecpient.  AVilson's  figure  represents,  a()pareiitiy,  an  old 
i)ird,  its  (be  cer"  and  fcot  .ire  bright  yellow  :  at  nn  earlier 
period  ibese  pprts  imich  incline  to  green  ;  at  this  ago 
the  Falcon  is  in  'ts  fullest  vigor,  and,  when  well  trained, 
was  highly  esteeuu'd  in  the  times  when  the  princely 
ainuseiiient  of  Falconry  was  in  fa.shion.  '^ireat  earn 
oven  was  employed  in  selecting  tiie  young  at  a  proper 
age  for  accpiiring  docility.  When  taken  too  early  they 
often  proved  noisy  and  obstinate  ;  if  removed  from  the 
nest  they  were  not  to  be  handled,  but  put  into  another 
artificial  one.  Their  food  was  to  be  wild  animals  or 
chickens,  .so  as  to  foster  their  perfict  and  natural  growth. 
The  sorrel-colored  or  light-browii  Falcons,  caught  lato 
in  autumn,  were  considered  the  most  hopeful  and  easiest 
to  breed  and  teach  ;  later,  the  I  abit  of  fri'edom,  and  the 
commencement  of  .selective  attacimu^nts,  rendered  them 
less  patient  in  captivity,  and  their  fidelity  could  not  be 
relied  upon.  The  dark  Falcon  iiioults  in  August.  The 
dispositions  of  these  birds  vary  in  individuals,  so  le  prove 
indolent  and  cowardly,  others  are  so  fierce  tliat  they 
can  not  be  restrained.  They  no  doubt,  like  other  lorge 
muscular  birds,  live  to  a  great  age.  In  the  year  1793  a 
Falcon  was  reported  to  have  been  caught  at  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope,  and  brought  to  England  with  a  golden  col- 
lar about  its  neck,  dated  IGIO,  and  an  inscription  im- 
porting that  the  bird  belonged  to  King  James  ;  therefore 
the  collar  must  have  been  on  this  bird  183  years ! 
It  still  appeared  lively,  but  its  eyes  were  dim,  and 
the  feathers  round  the  collar  were  changed  to  white. 
To  show   the  swiftness  of  the  Falcon,  it  is  related,  that 


S6 


iiiHUH  uc  i>ni:Y. 


ono  bcloii^jiiij^  to  Henry  the  yccond,  wliicli  (low  nfk'r  ii 
little  niiHluril  nt  roiilaiiifblciui,  wuh  caiiKlit  next  niorii- 
iug  nt  Malta,  nn«l  riicoijiiiNcd  by  the  riii>{  which  it  horr. 
When  caujjhl,  a  riuj{  was  put  round  the  Ii'K  of  the 
Falcon  to  which  was  attached  a  lahel  hearing  the  name 
of  the  owner,  and  a  small  round  bell  was  suspended  I'rttni 
the  neck  in  order  to  discover  the  l»ird  wiien  wandering 
astray  in  liie  chase.  As  no  durable  attachment  could  b<> 
expected  from  a  bird  of  so  rapacious  a  nature,  obedience 
was  obtained  only  by  punishment  and  privation.  At  first 
the  cajjtive  was  mullled  by  a  cap  thrown  over  the  head 
and  retained  for  some  ilays,  during  the  greater  part  of 
which  time  the  Hawk  was  suffered  to  fast  ,  and  his  appe- 
tite was  even  whetted  by  a  cleansing  dose  nf  tow  which 
he  was  made  to  swiillow  rolled  up  in  pell  t  for  the  pur- 
pose. In  a  short  time  this  severe  discipline  had  the 
effect  of  producing  a  passive  obedience,  and  ho  became 
accustomed  to  the  niulHe,  and  submitted  <piietly  to  the 
privation  of  Ii  .flit ;  if  still  wild,  the  discipline  was  contin- 
ued longer,  and  occasionally,  the  head  of  the  malconteni 
was  dipped  into  cold  water.  He  soon  became  inured  to 
the  finger  of  the  falconer,  a  morsel  of  food  being  held 
out  as  an  inducement  ;  at  length,  he  was  taught, 
after  another  fast,  to  eat  his  food  from  amongst  a  lure  or 
string  of  legs  and  wings  of  birds  ;  next  he  approached 
tl.J  sole  object  of  his  education,  and  flew  at  the  pre) 
shown  to  him,  while  retained  to  his  keeper  at  the  end  of 
a  long  string  ;  and,  finally,  he  was  carried  out  and  suffered 
to  fly  at  large,  to  soar,  and  pounce  upon  his  (piarry  from 
on  high,  in  all  the  elegance  and  fierceness  of  unrestrain- 
ed nature.  Some  of  these  birds,  like  modern  <logs  and 
horses,  became  the  greatest  favorites  ;  and  as  the  amuse- 
ment was  restricted  to  the  privileged  ranks  alone,  it  ex- 
cited the  admiration  and  envy  of  all.    The  male  or  Tier- 


COMMON  on   WANDERINU   FAI.l'ON. 


w 


inxt  iiiorii- 
lii(  li  it  Ixirc. 
It!  Ii'i{  of  tllf 
11^  the  iiaiiiu 
|)('ii(l(<(l  I'roiii 
II  wiiixluriiiK 
L'lit  could  bo 
V,  obedience 
loii.  At  first 
er  tlie  hoail 
•nttT  part  ol 
lid  biH  appe- 
f  tow  which 
i  for  the  pur- 
lins hud  the 
I  be  becaiiK! 
uietly  to  tlio 
:  waw  coiitin- 
3  inalcoiiteiit 
tiio  inured  to 
I  l)ciii^  held 
was  tauglii, 
igst  a  lure  or 
!  approached 

at  the  prey 
at  the  end  oi' 

and  suffered 

quarry  from 
f  unrestrain- 
ern  dogs  and 
Ls  the  amuse- 
alone,  it  ex- 
nale  or  Tier- 


cel (a  third  loss  than  the  femaU')  wast  employed  to  cutch 
Partridges,  IJIackbirdH,  Magpies,  Jays,  and  small  birds;  but 
the  task  of  the  femnio  was  to  engage  in  the  noble  chase 
of  tb<'  Hare,  the  Kile,  the  Crane,  and  olhi'r  large  objects. 
This  recreation,  not  unknown  even  to  the  Romans  in  the 
early  part  of  the  Christian  era,  was  also  practised 
throughout  the  East,  and  still  continues  in  Persia,  Tar- 
tnry,  and  China,  where  the  most  extravagant  prices  are 
given  to  the  Russians  and  other  Northern  nations  for 
these  favorite  birds,  which  appear  to  be  more  energetic 
in  proportion  to  the  coldness  of  the  climates  where  they 
happen  to  be  raised.  According  to  Ctvir'iin,  the  Jer- 
Falcon  of  Russia,  takt  n  to  Persia,  j  not  a!  <-•  ved  to  be 
kept  l)y  any  person  less  than  the  kit,  ;,  liul  ea.  '»  bird  is 
valued  at  the  extravagant  price  of  1  10(y  rowr.H  ,  if  any 
of  them  die  on  the  road,  the  ambassado  ??ririif'  ;uo  head 
and  wings  to  his  majesty,  to  show  that  >..  has  been  faith- 
ful to  his  charge. 

The  Falcon,  long  as  it  has  been  subjected  tn  the 
caprice  of  man,  has  never  been  subdued  or  domesticat- 
ed ;  it  refuses  to  breed  in  slavery  ;  the  species  at  largo 
still  rove  in  all  the  freedom  of  their  savage  nature,  and 
disown  the  empire  of  man.  Their  ferocity  is  broken  by 
restraint  and  privation,  so  that  they  submit  to  perform  a 
task  for  the  hope  of  an  accustomed  reward ;  but  they 
serve  from  habit  and  necessity,  and  not  from  attachment ; 
they  remain  obedient  captives,  but  never  become  willing 
domestics. 

The  length  of  thii  species  in  Europe,  is  15  to  10  inches ;  the 
female  is  from  17  to  18.  The  female  given  by  Wilson  is  said 
to  be  20  inches,  and  3  feet  8  inches  in  e.xtent  of  wings.  Bill  grey- 
ish blue.  A  space  around  the  eyes,  iriw,  feet,  and  cere  yellow. 
Upper  parts  blackish-brown,  the  scapulars  and  tirtiils  barred  with 
faint  ash  (in  the  European  adult  of  a  cinereous  blue,  with  bands  of 
a  darker  color.)     Wings  not  extending  to  tlie  tip  of  the  tail  (in  the 


68 


BIRDS    OF    PREY. 


European  the  wings  extend  to  the  end  of  the  tail.)  Tail  rounded, 
black;  crossed  with  8  narrow  ash-coK)red  bands.  Beneath,  yellow- 
ish-white, with  the  breaat  spotted  with  dark  brown ;  sides,  feniorals, 
aiid  beneath,  barred  rather  broadly  with  the  same.  The  priuiaries 
and  secondaries  marked  transversely  on  their  inner  vanes,  with 
large  obl'.i:^  spots  o*"  ferruginous  white.  —  Female.  Note.  This 
bird  appeaiijd  to  live  along  the  seacoast,  having  in  its  stomach  the 
remains  of  small  birds,  and  of  the  Sanderling.  As  this  species  is  not 
quoted  by  Temniinck  in  his  account  of  the  Falcon,  there  is  some 
reason  to  doubt  the  identity  of  the  American  and  European  species, 


AMERICAN  SPARROW-HAWK. 

(Falco  sparverius.  Lin.  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  ii.  p.  117.  pi.  IG.  fig.  1. 
[female,]  and  iv.  p.  57.  pi.  32.  fig.  2.  [male.]  ) 

Spec.  Charact.  —  Rufous,  beneath  nearly  white,  spotted  with 
blackish-brown  ;  seven  black  curved  spots  disposed  around  the 
head.  —  Male,  with  the  wing-coverts  slate-blue  ;  tail  with  a  sin- 
gle subterminal  band,  the  two  exterior  feathers  spotted  with 
black.  —  Female  and  young,  more  banded  and  spotted;  tail 
with  numerous  bands. 

This  beautiful  and  singularly  marked  bird,  appears 
to  reside  principally  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  United 
States.  They  are  particularly  abundant  in  the  winter 
throughout  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama,  and  Flor- 
ida, whither  they  assemble  from  the  remote  interior  of 
the  Northern  States,  wandering  in  summer  as  far  as  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  and  were  even  seen  by  Dr.  Richard- 
son in  the  remote  latitude  of  53  degrees  ;  these  appear, 
however,  to  be  only  stragglers  ;  nor  do  they  seem  at  all 
to  visit  the  maritime  districts  of  New  England.  As  they 
were  seen  in  St.  Domingo,  by  Veillot,  abundantly  in  April 
and  May,  the  breeding  season,  we  may  naturally  con- 
clude that  f*Ms  species  has  a  much  greater  predilection 
for  the  warm  than  t'.ie  cold  climates.  On  the  south 
side  of  the  equator,  even  in  Cayenne  and  Paraguay,  they 


mmm 


.)  Tail  rounded, 
Beneath,  yellow- 
1 ;  sides,  femoraU, 
e.  The  prinmries 
nner  vnnes,  with 
ak.  Note.  This 
in  its  stomach  the 
this  species  is  not 
in,  there  is  some 
European  species. 


IWK. 

.  117.  pi.  IG.  fig.  1. 
nale.]  ) 

ite,  spotted  with 
sposed  around  the 
e  ;  tail  with  a  sin- 
:hers  spotted  with 
md   spotted ;    tail 

d  bird,  appears 
1  of  the  United 
t  in  the  winter 
jama,  and  Flor- 
mote  interior  of 
er  as  far  as  the 
)y  Dr.  Richard- 
;  these  appear, 
they  seem  at  all 
Tland.  As  they 
ndantly  in  April 
r  naturally  con- 
iter  predilection 
On  the  south 
Paraguay,  they 


AMERICAN    SPARROW-HAWK.  69 

are  still  found,   in   all  of  which  countries  they  probably 
breed.  •' 

According  to  the  habits  of  this  tribe  of  rapacious  birds 
it  appears  that  the  nest  is  built  in  a  hollow,  shattered   oJ 
decayed  tree   at  a  considerable  elevation;    the  eggs  are 
said  to  be  4  or  5,  of  a  light  brownish  yellow  and  spotted 
with  brown. 

Its  motions  appear  somewhat  capricious,   it  occasion- 
ally  hovers  with  beating   wings,   reconnoitring   for  prey 
and  soon  impatiently  darts  off  to  a  distance  to  renew  the 
same   manoeuvre.     In   the   winter,   however,  it   is   most 
commonly    seen    perched    on     some    dead     branch     or 
on  a  pole  or   stalk   in   the   fields,   often  at  a  little  'dis- 
tance  from  the  ground,  keeping  up  a  frequent  jerking  of 
the  tail,  and  attentively  watching  for  some  such  humble 
game  as  mice,   grasshoppers,  or  lizards.     At  this  time  it 
IS  likewise  so  familiar  as  to  enter  the  garden,  orchard  or 
premises  near   to  the  house,   and   shows  but  little  alarm 
on  being  approached.     It  is  however  by   no  means  defi- 
cient  in  courage,  and  like  the  larger  true  Falcons,  often 
makes   a  fatal   and  rapid  sweep  upon  sparrows,  jr  those 
small  b-rds  which  are  its  accustomed  prey. 

-The  female  is  11  inches  long,  the  stretch  of  the  wings  23  inches. 
The  „..e  about  9i  or  10  inches.  The  cere  and  legs  are  yellow. 
The  b.ll  l,lu..sh.grey.  Space  round  the  eye  greenish-blue.  Iris,  dark 
hazeK  The  head  bluish-ash  ;  crown,  rufous  ;  7  large  black  ^pots, 
<.  of  then,  curving,  surround  the  head  on  a  white  ground.  The  whole 
upper  parts  are  of  a  reddish  bay,  striped  transversely  with  dusky 
brown  i  the  pri.nary  and  secondary  quills  black,  spotted  on  their  inner 
vanes  with  brownish-white.  Lower  parts  pale  yellowish  white,  mark- 
ed  w.th  longitudinal  spots  of  brown,  except  the  chin,  vent,  and 
thighs,  which  are  white;  the  claws,  black. -Notk.  The  St  Do 
nungo  bird  appears  to  be  a  distinct  species  ;  in  it  the  spots  on  the 
neck  are  round,  and  are  wanting  altogether  at  s.me  ,,eriods  of  its 


60 


BIRDS    OF    PREY. 


PIGEON-HAWK. 

(Falco  columbaritiB.  Lin.    Wilson,  Am.  Orn.   ii.   p.  107.  pi.  15. 
fig.  3.  Audubon,  pi.  92.) 

Spec.  Charact.  —  Dusky  brown;    beneath  brownish- white,   with 
blackish  longitudinal  stripes ;  the  tail  with  4  narrow  white  bands. 

This  species  is  a  little  larger  than  the  last,  but  by  no 
means  so  abundant ;  though  met  with  in  latitude  48  de- 
grees by  Long's  North-Western  Expedition,  and  occa- 
sionally extending  its  migrations  as  far  as  IIud.son's  Bay. 
Like  the  former,  it  is,  I  believe,  never  seen  in  New  Eng- 
land, and  chiefly  inhabits  and  rears  its  young  in  the 
Southern  States.  It  is  shy,  skulking,  and  watchful,  sel- 
dom venturing  beyond  the  unreclaimed  forest,  and  flies 
rapidly,  but,  I  believe,  seldom  soars  or  hovers.  Small 
birds  and  mice  constitute  his  principal  food  ;  and,  accord- 
ing to  Wil.son,  he  follows  often  in  the  rear  of  the  gregari- 
ous birds,  such  as  the  Black-Birds,  and  Reed-Birds,  as 
well  as  after  the  flitting  flocks  of  Pigeons  and  Robins, 
picking  up  the  stragglers,  the  weak  and  unguarded,  as 
his  legitimate  prey.  Sometimes,  when  shot  at  without 
effect,  he  will  fly  in  circles  around  the  gunner  and  utter 
impatient  shrieks,  probably  in  apprehension  for  the  safety 
of  his  mate,  or  to  communicate  a  cry  of  alarm. 

The  male  is  11  inches  long,  and  23:  broad.  The  female  an  incli 
and  a  half  longer.  The  wliole  upper  parts  are  of  deep  dusky  brown, 
except  the  tail,  which  is  thinly  barred  with  wliite.  The  bill  is  of  a 
light  bluish-grey,  tipped  with  black.  The  skin  round  the  eye  green- 
ish as  well  as  the  cere  ;  a  line  over  the  eye  of  lighter  brown.  The 
lower  parts  brownish-white,  striped  with  dark  brown.  Legs  yellow  ; 
claws  black.  Tiie  thigh  featliers  remarkably  long  and  striped.  Iris 
deep  hazel.  — The /enmte  darker,  with  some  white  on  the  hind- 
head. 


smmmm^m^^^^mm^u^^^mm 


LITTLE  CORPORAL  HAWK.  AQUILA. 


61 


p.  107.  pi.  15. 

ish- white,  with 
)W  white  bands. 

ist,  but  by  no 
titude  48  de- 

I,  and  occa- 
[ud.son's  Bay. 
in  New  Eng- 
young  in  tlie 
vatcliful,  sel- 
est,  and  flies 
jvcrs.  Small 
;  and, accord- 
f  the  gregari- 
,eed-Birds,  as 

and  Robins, 
inguarded,  as 
)t  at  without 
ner  and  utter 
for  the  safety 
rm. 

female  an  inch 
pp  dusky  brown, 

The  bill  is  of  a 
d  tlie  eye  green- 
er brown.     The 

II.  Legs  yellow  ; 
nd  striped.  Iris 
te   on  the  hind- 


LITTLE  CORPORAL  HAWK. 

{Falco  tcmerarius.  Audubon,  plate  75.) 
Spec.  CiURACT. —  Head,  wings,   and  tail,   deep  diisky  ;   back  and 
rump  cinereous  ;  tail  witli  3  black  bands,  tiie  terminal  one  broad 
and  tipped  witli  while  ;  beneath,  whitish  with  dark  oblong  spots ; 
cere  and  legs  yellow. 

Op  this  beautiful  small  species,  discovered  by  Audu- 
bon, we  as  yet  know  nothing  on  this  side  the  Atlantic. 
It  is  probably  a  Southern  bird,  and  will  in  due  time  be 
described  by  the  author. 

Length  about  10  inches.  Chin,  wiiite  ;  back,  load  color;  3  cine- 
reous and  3  black  bands  on  the  tail.  Beneath,  white,  tinged  with 
pale  rufous ;   femorala  pale  rufou.^  witli  black  lines  along  the  shafts. 


EAGLES  (properly  so  called),  Aquila. 

Bin,  strong  and  elongated,  straiglit  it  the  base.  Feet  very  ro- 
bust ;  tarsus  often  feathered  to  the  toes.  Toes  stout,  armed  with 
very  large  incurved  nails ;  the  middle  one  pectinated  on  the  inner 
side  and  connected  to  tlie  outer  by  a  membrane.  The  wings  long  ; 
the  Ist  primary  very  short ;  the  Itli  and.'ith  longest. 

These  are  the  most  powerful  birds  of  the  genus,  and  indeed  of  the 
whole  feathered  race.  They  pursue  their  prey  witli  rapid  ilight, 
seizing  it  in  tiieir  talons,  and,  bearing  it  yet  palpitating  to  their 
young,  they  present  it  to  them  by  tearing  it  to  pieces.  The  greater 
kinds  carry  oft'  large  animals  and  birds  ;  a  few  attack  reptiles  and 
even  insects.  Impelled  hy  extreme  hunger  they  sometimes  feed 
upon  carrion.  Their  sight  is  keen,  but  their  sense  of  smell  imper- 
fect. The  larger  kinds  inliabit  and  breed  generally  in  mountainous 
districts. 


BIKUS  OF  PREY. 


T 


ROYAL  OR  GOLDEN  EAGLE. 

(Falcofulvus.  Li.NN.    Falco  chrysaetos.  Ibid.    Wilson,  vii.  p.  13. 
pi.  .55.  fig.  1.  [young]). 

Spec.  CiiARACT.  —  Dark  brown;  cere  and  toes  yellow  ;  tail  much 
rounded,  e.xteriding  beyond  tlui  folded  wings  ;  nostrilB  elliptic  ; 
3  scales  only  upon  the  last  joint  of  each  toe  ;  no  white  scapulary 
feathers, —  Young,  of  an  uniform,  ferruginous  brown,  and  witli 
the  feathers  nearly  all  white  towards  the  base ;  toil  white,  with 
a  brood  terminal  brown  and  mottled  band,  and  no  bars. 

This  ancient  monarch  of  the  birds  is  found  in  all  the 
cold  and  temperate  regions  of  the  Northern  hemisphere, 
taking  up  his  abode  by  choice  in  the  great  forests  and 
plains,  and  in  wild,  desert,  and  nioantainous  regions. 
His  eyry,  commonly  formed  of  an  extensive  set  of 
layers  of  large  sticits,  is  nearly  liorizontal,  and  occa- 
sionally extended  between  some  rock  and  adjoining  tree, 
as  was  the  one  described  by  Willughby  in  the  Peak  of 
Derbyshire.  About  30  miles  inland  from  the  Mandan 
Fort  on  the  Missouri,  I  once  had  occasion  to  observe  the 
eyry  of  this  noble  bird,  which  here  consisted  of  but  a 
slender  lining  of  sticks  conveyed  into  a  rocky  chasm  on 
the  face  of  a  lofty  hill  rising  out  of  the  grassy,  open  plain. 
It  contained  one  young  bird,  nearly  fledged,  and  almost  of 
the  color  of  the  Gyrfalcon.  It  appears  they  lay  2  and  rare- 
ly 3  eggs,  of  an  impure  white,  blotched  with  red  or  red- 
dish. Near  their  rocky  nests  they  are  seen  usually  in 
pairs,  at  times  majestically  soaring  to  a  vast  height,  and 
gazing  on  the  sun  towards  which  they  ascend  until  they 
disappear  from  view.  From  this  sublime  elevation  they 
often  select  their  devoted  prey,  sometimes  a  kid  or  a  lamb 
from  the  sporting  flock,  or  the  timid  rabbit  or  hare 
crouched  in  the  furrow,  or  sheltered  in  some  bush.  The 
largest  birds  'C  also  frequently  their  victims ;  and  in 
extreme  want  .   ey  will  not  refuse  to  join  with  the  alarm- 


.sow,  vii.  p.  13. 

ow ;  tail  much 
lostrils  elliptic  ; 
ivhite  scapiilary 
rown,  und  with 
ail  white,  with 
bars. 

ind  in  all  the 
hemisphere, 
it  forests  and 
lous  regions, 
isive  set  of 
1,  and  occa- 
Ijoining  tree, 
the  Peak  of 
the  Mandan 
0  observe  the 
3ted  of  but  a 
ky  chasm  on 
',  open  plain, 
and  almost  of 
y  2  and  rare- 
h  red  or  red- 
;n  usually  in 
t  height,  and 
nd  until  they 
evation  they 
kid  or  a  lamb 
bbit  or  hare 
3  bush.  The 
ms ;  and  in 
th  the  alarm- 


nOYAL  OH  CiOLDEN  EAGI.E. 


63 


ed  Vulture  in   his  cadaverous  repast.     After  this  gorg- 
ing meal  the  Eaglo   can,   if  necessary,  fast   for  several 
days.     The  precarious   nature  of  his   subsistence,    and 
the  violence  by   whicli   it  is  constantly   obtained,    seems 
to  produce  a  moral  effect  on  the  disposition  of  tiiis  rapa- 
cious bird  -  though  in  pairs,  they  are  never  seen   associ- 
ated witli  tiieir  young  ;    their  offspring   arc    driven  fortii 
to  lead  the  same  unsocial,  wandering  life,    as   tlieir  un- 
feeling progenitors.     Tiiis  iiarsh  and  tyrannical  disposi- 
tion is  strongly  displayed,  even   wlicn  tliey  lead  a  life  of 
restraint   and  confinement.     Tlu;   weaker    bird   is  never 
willingly  suffered  to  eat  a  single  morsel  ;    and  tiiough  he 
may  cower  and  quail  under   tlie  blow,  with   the  most  ab- 
ject submission,  the   same   savage  deportment  continues 
towards  him  as  long  as  he  exi.sts.     Those  wiiich  I  have 
seen  in  confinement  ficquently  uttered  hoarse  and  stridu- 
lous  cries,  sometimes   almost   barkings,   accompanied  by 
vaporous  breathings,  strongly   expressive  of  their  ardent, 
unquenchable,   and   savage   appetites.      Their   fire-dart- 
ing eyes,  lowering  brows,  flat  foreheads,  restless  disposi- 
tion, and  terrific  plaints^  together  with  tlieir  powerful  nat- 
ural weapons,  seem  to  assimilate  them  to  the  tiger  rather 
than  the  timorous  bird.  Yet  it  would  appear  that  they  may 
be  rendered   docile,  as  the  Tartars  (according  to  Marco 
Paulo  in    12G9)   were  said   to  train  this   species   to  the 
chase  of  hares,  foxes,  wolves,  antelopes,  and  other  kinds 
of  large  game,  in  which  itd-splayed  all  the  docility  of  the 
Falcon.     The  longevity   of  the   Eagle  is  as  remarkable 
as  its  strength  ;    it  is  believed   to   subsi.'^t  for  a  century, 
and    is  about  3  years  in  gaining  its  complete  growth  and 
fixed  plumage.     This  bird  was  held   in   high   estimation 
by  the  ancients  on  account  of  its  extraordinary  magni- 
tude, courage,    and    sanguinary   habits.      The   Romans 
chose  it  as  an  emblem  for   their  imperial  standard  ;    and 


64 


nillDS    OK    I'KEY. 


from  its  aspiring  flight  and  iiwijostic  tionritig,  it  -.vup  fhbkd 
to  hold  coniituiiion  with  heaven,  and  to  bo  Uic  fa  oritc 
messenger  of  Jove.  The  Tartars  liavc  a  particular  t;«tecni 
for  the  feathers  of  the  tail,  nitii  wliich  ihcy  srperiti- 
tiousiy  think  t-t  plume  invincible  arnnvs.  It  U  no  less 
the  venerated  Wi'r-Euglv  of  our  nort!.«rn  anu  western 
aborigines  ;  and  i!ic  caudal  feathers  are  extremely  \  alu- 
ed  for  talisman! ',  i  oad-drcc'tes,  and  as  sacred  decora- 
tions for  tiie  !'ipe  ol"  Peace. 

Tiic  Eagle  appears  'o  be  moie  nbuiidant  aroiiud  Hud- 
son's Bay  than  in  the  United  States  :  h>d  they  are  not 
unfre<iu  lit  in  tlie  great  plains  of  tlse  Wississipj.i  md 
Mi-ivauri,  as  appears  lioni  the  frequent  use  of  the  feath- 
tria  I'-y  ihc  nntii't^-.  The  wilderness  seems  their  fa\orite 
i>'smt,  i'viil  tl\ey  neither  crave  nor  obtain  any  advantage 
iroi'i  the  f^oi-ioty  of  man.  Attached  to  th(  mountains  in 
V  hich  tiiey  arc  bred,  it  is  a  rare  occurrence  to  see  the 
Eagle  in  this  vicinity  ;  and,  as  with  sodK'  other  birds, 
ii  would  appear  that  the  young  only  are  found  in  the 
L'nited  States,  while  the  old  remain  in  Labrador  and 
the  northern  regions.  The  lofty  mountains  of  New 
Hampshire  afford  suitable  situations  for  the  evry  of  the 
Eagle,  over  whose  snow-clad  summits  he  is  seen  majes- 
tically soaring  in  solitude  and  grandeur.  A  young  bird 
from  this  region,  which  I  have  seen  in  a  state  of  domesti- 
cation, showed  considerable  docility.  He  had,  however, 
been  brought  up  from  the  nest,  in  which  he  was  found 
in  the  month  of  August ;  he  appeared  even  playful,  turn- 
ing his  head  about  in  a  very  antic  manner  as  if  desirous 
to  attract  attention  ;  still  his  glance  was  quick  and  fiery. 
When  birds  were  given  to  him,  he  plumed  them  very 
clean  before  he  began  his  meal,  and  picked  the  subject 
to  a  perfect  skeleton. 


ROYAL  Oa  GOLDEN  EAGLE. 


65 


it.  Wit?  fhbltd 
:  Uic  f'l  oritc 
icilar  i':.teem 
hey  st'perjti- 
It  U  no  less 
am*  nesteru 
lemcly  valu- 
crcd  dpcora- 

aroiiiid  Hud- 
tuey  are  not 
ssissipj'i  and 
of  the  feath- 
tlieir  favorite 
ly  advantage 
nountains  in 
c  to  sec  tlie 
other  birds, 
found  in  the 
abrador  and 
in-;  of  New 
5  eyry  of  the 
seen  majes- 
\.  young  bird 
e  of  doniesti- 
ad,  however, 
lie  was  found 
playful,  turn- 
s  if  desirous 
ick  and  fiery, 
d  tlicm  very 
d  the  subject 


The  ferocious  and  savage  nature  of  the  Eagle,  in  an 
unreclaimed  state,  is  sometimes  displayed  in  a  remarkable 
manner.  A  peasant  attempted  to  rob  an  eyry  of  this 
bird  situated  'n  the  lake  of  Killarney  ;  for  this  purpose 
he  stripped  ai.J  swam  over  to  the  spot  in  the  absence  of 
the  old  birds  ;  but,  on  his  return,  while  yet  up  to  the  chin 
in  water,  the  parents  arrived,  and  missing  their  young, 
instantly  fell  on  the  unfortunate  plunderer,  and  killed 
him  on  the  spot. 

There  are  several  well  authenticated  instances  of  their 
carrying  off  children  to  their  nests.  In  1737.  in  tiie  par- 
ish of  Norderhoiigs,  in  Norway,  a  boy,  over  2  years  old, 
on  his  way  from  the  cottage  to  his  parent?  at  work  in 
the  fields  at  no  great  distance,  fell  into  the  pounce  of 
an  Eagle,  who  flew  off  with  the  child  in  their  sight  and 
was  seen  no  more.  Anderson,  in  his  history  of  Iceland, 
says,  that  in  that  island  children  of  4  or  5  years  of  age  have 
occasionally  been  borne  away  by  Eagles :  and  Ray  re- 
lates, that  in  one  of  the  Orkneys  a  child  of  a  year  old 
was  seized  in  the  talons  of  this  ferocious  bird,  and  car- 
ried above  4  miles  to  its  nest ;  but  the  mother  knowir^ 
the  place  of  the  eyry,  followed  the  bird,  and  recovered 
her  child  yet  unhurt. 

The  Common,  or  Ring-tailed  Eagle,  is  now  found  to  be 
the  young  of  the  Golden  Eagle.  These  progressive 
changes  have  been  observed  by  Temminck  on  two  living 
subjects  which  he  kept  for  several  years. 

In  the  adult  bird  the  summit  of  the  head  to  the  nape  of  the  neck 
is  ornamented  with  yellowish  ferruginous  pointed  feathers ;  all  the 
other  parts  of  the  body  are  of  a  dark  brown,  more  or  less  inclining 
towards  black  according  to  age  ;  the  inner  aide  of  the  thighs,  and 
the  feathers  of  the  legs  are  of  a  clear  brown.  The  primaries,  in  the 
old  bird,  or  F.  chrysattos,  according  to  Brisson  have  the  inner  barbs 
of  the  first  3  indented  or  shortened  ;  in  a  specimen  which  I  obtained 
in  this  vicinity,  the  first  4  are  so  indented,  and  in  the  young,  or 
6* 


66 


BIRDS    OF    PnEY. 


F.  ftilvus,  tlie  wliole  of  tlio  first  5  are  sliorteiied  :  so  that  this  chnr- 
acter  appears  to  advance  witli  the  age  of  tlie  bird  to  a  certain  limit. 
Tail  of  tt  deep  grey,  l)anded  Bomewhat  regularly  with  blackish- 
brown,  and  terminated,  towards  tlie  point,  by  a  wide  band  of  the 
same  color.  Bill  horn  color.  Iris  always  brown.  Cere  ond  feet 
yellow. 

Length  obout  3  feet.     The  female  as  much  as  3  feet  0  inches. 

In  the  young,  ot  the  first  or  second  year,  tlie  whole  plumage  is  of 
a  ferruginous  brown  or  clear  reddish-yellow,  with  the  under  tail- 
coverts  whitish  ;  the  inner  side  of  the  legs  and  femorals  pure  white  ; 
the  tail  white  for  |  of  its  length,  the  rest  brown.  Nearly  all  the 
feathers  are  white  towards  their  base.  As  the  young  advances  in  age, 
the  pluningt!  becomes  browner,  the  white  of  the  tail  lessens  in  ex- 
tent, and  appearances  of  transverKP  bars  commence.  —  Very  rarely, 
individuals  occur  almost  wholly  white. 


{Falco 


Sl'EC.  ( 

dish 

bill 

larlj 

It  ii 
distinc 


I  lliat  tliis  chnr- 
a  certain  limit. 

wit!)  blackisli- 
,df  luiiul  of  the 

Cere  and  iVet 

i  (i  inches. 
B  plumage  iH  of 
the  under  tnil- 
alH  pure  white  ; 
Nearly  nil  the 
idvances  in  ape, 
1  lessens  in  e.\- 
—  Very  rarely, 


AVASHINGTON  EAGLE. 

{Faico  ryashingtonianus,  AvDVBos,  Plate,  Loudons  Afagaz.  Nat. 
Hist.  No.  2.  July,  IS5J8.  p.  11.5.) 

Si-ec.Charact.  — Tail  and  upper  parts  dark  brown,  beneath  red- 
dish brown,  with  darker  lines;  cere  and  naked  tarsus  yellow ; 
bill  blackish.  —  Vvung,  more  or  less  spotted  with  white,  particu- 
larly beneath. 

It  is  to  the  indefatigable  Audubon,   that  we  owe  the 
distinct  notice  and  description  of  this  noble  Eagle,  which 


68  DIRDh    OF    PllKY. 

first  d.  "'•    'ion  while  voyaging  far  up  the  Mis- 

si-  •  uth  of  Ffibruary,  1814.     At  length,  he 

hi.i 'I. e  .  aijiiiciion  of  discovering   its  cyry   in   llie  high 
ciifs  of  Green  River  in   Kentucky,   near  to  its  junction 
with  the  Ohio;    two  young  were  discovcrtMl  loudly  hiss- 
ing from   a  fissure  in  the  rocks,  on  the  approach  of  tlio 
male,  from  whom  they  received  n  fish.     The  female  now 
also  came,  and  with  •    i  cuouo  <  '.mvi  for  the  safety  of  her 
young,  gave  a  loud  scream,  dropped  the   food  she  had 
brought,  and  hofering  over  the  molesting  party,  kept  up 
a  growling  and  threatening   cry  by  way  of  intimidation  ; 
and,  in  fact,  as  our  disappointed   naturalist  soon  discov- 
ered, she,  from   this  time,   forsook   the  spot,   and  found 
means  to  convey  awny  her  youu:,'.     The  discoverer  con- 
siders the  species  as  rare  ;  indeed,  its  principal  residence 
appears  to  be  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  continent,  par- 
ticularly   the    rocky    solitudes   around  the   great   north- 
western lakes,  where  it  can  at  all   times  collect  its  finny 
prey,  and  rear  its  young   without  the  dread  of  man.     In 
the  winter  season,  about  January  and  February,  as  well 
as  at  a  later  period  of  the   spring,  these   birds  are  occa- 
sionally seen  in  this  vicinity,*  rendered   perlmp     bolder 
and  mor<!  familiar  by  want,  a.s   the  prcvalenro  oi   the  ice 
and  cold,  at  this  season,  drives  them  to  the  necessity  of 
wandering  farther  than  usual  in  searr       <"  food.     At  this 
early  period,  bnwev.;r,  Audubon  observed  indications  of 
the   approach  of  the   br'^eding  season,   and  Mr.   N.  J. 
Wyeth,  of  Fresh  Pond,     i  this  neir^hbourhood,  h^s  seen 
then     ..ntenuiug  ocasi  -ually  in   tl     air,  so  that  one  of 
the   antagonists  wo  dd  sometimes  suddenly   drop   many 
feet  downwards  as  il  wounded  or   alarmed.     My  friend. 
Dr.  H'ly ward  of  Boston     had  in  his   jjossession  one  of 
these  fine  docile  Eagles  for  a  considerable  time  ;  but  de- 


the  pi 
tains 
The 
tlio.te 
the  la 
dive  f( 
as  if  I 
only  V 
iiis  pri 
con^i<] 
quanti 
great, 
them  i 
i   iinip 
poiipdi 
delpliii 
C.   Pic 
which 
of  ber 
was  ab 
inch(\- 
agrceiii 
Englan 
tha    the 
inches : 
7  feel   i 
largest 
lone- 


*  Cull  !iriilg«,  Man. 


WAfllMNOTON  EAOI,E. 


i{)  the  Mis- 
length,  he 
n  the  high 
its  junction 
loudly  hiss- 
)ach  of  (ho 
female  now 
ifoty  of  her 
10(1  she  had 
ty,  kept  up 
tiuiidation  ; 
oon  discov- 
and  found 
jvercr  con- 
il  residence 
tinent,  par- 
reat  north- 
!Ct  its  finny 
f  man.  In 
ary,  11 

s  art;  occa- 
lap?^   bolder 
5  of  the  ice 
lecessity  of 
id.     At  this 
(lications  of 
Mr.  N.  J. 
)d,  hT9  seen 
that  one  of 
drop   many 
My  friend, 
sion  one  of 
me  ;  but  de- 


sirous of  dovotintr  h  to  the  then  Linnman  Museum,  ho 
Btt'uipted  to  poixon  it,  by  corro.Mivc  sublimate  of  mercu- 
ry ;  several  timfH,  liowever,  doses  even  of -J  drams  were 
given  to  it,  roncenled  in  Hsh,  without  producing  any  in- 
jurious effect  (iM  its  iiealth. 

TIkj  Wusliingtun  Eagle,  bold  and  vigorous,    disdains 
•  lie  piratical  habits  of  the  Bald  Eagl,-,  and  invariably  ob- 
tains his  own  sustenance   without  molesting  the  Osprey. 
Tho  circk-   1...  d.. scribes  in   his  flight   are   wider  than 
thoM.  of  the  White-headed  Eagle  ;   he  also  flics  nearer  to 
the  land  or  the  surface  of  the  water  ;    and  when  about  to 
dive  for  his  prey,  he  descends  in  circuitous,  spiral  rounds, 
as  if  to  check  the  retreat  of  the  lish,  on  'vhich  he  darts 
only  when   u  ithin  the   distance  of  a   f.      ,  ards.     When 
his  prey  is  obtained,  ho  flies  out  at  a  low  elevation  to  a 
considerable  dist   mcc  to  enjoy  his  repast  at  leisure     The 
quantity  (-f  food  tuusumcd  by   this  enormous  bird  is  very 
great,  according  to  the   account  of  those   who  have  had 
them  in  confinement.     Indeed  they  appear  almost  always 
1  limp  and  fat.     Mr.  Audubon's  male   bird   weighed  144- 
ponpds  avoirdupois.     One  in   a  small   must  urn  in  Phila- 
del,)l,ia   (ace.    di,  .r   to   the    account  of  my  friend  Mr. 
C.   Pickering        1,,,  a   male,    weighed  much  more,   by 
which  fhviorencc  it  would   appear  that   they  are  capable 
of  becf„..u/-  ex.    r..|ing|,   fut ;    for  the  length  of  this  bird 
was       Mit  th.  '.  a,,    hat  of  Audubon,  JJ  feet  6  or  7 

inches        "|„  li   wever,   was  only  about   7  feet, 

agreeui^r  pretty  neuiJv  .,  ,  a  specimen  now  in  the  New 
Englaii  Museum  ;  mj  that  I  must  necessarily  believe 
tha  the  measure,  g,ven  by  Mr.  Audubon,  of  10  feet  2 
inches  is  a  typograpln-al  error,  and  '  ould  be  probably 
7  feel  •>  inches.  The  male  of  the  u.  Icn  Eagle,  the 
largest  hitherto  known,  is  seldom  .,  than  3  feet 
Ion< 


70 


niRUH  or  I'KCV 


Thrtf  this  bird  is  not  the  Whito-tailed  En.'lc  (Falro 
uU)irHl(i),  or  its  young,  the  Sea  Eagle  (/•'.  ofsifruffiis),  is 
obviouH  from  the  difler'  ucc  in  size  aiono,  the  male  of 
that  bird  beinj?  litth)  over  2  feet  4  uiclies  in  K-ngth,  or  n 
little  Ir-  vvcn  than  the  Bnid  Eagle.  The  female  of  the 
VVaHliiiijton  Engle  must,  of  rourso,  be  0  or  H  inches 
longer,  which  will  give  a  bird  of  unparalleira  ningniludo 
amongst  the  whole  Eagle  race.  This  measuremeni  of 
tlie  Sea  Eagle  is  obtained  Irom  '  Trmminck's  Manual  of 
Ornithology,'  who  has  examined  more  than  oO  individu- 
als. At  the  same  time  I  have  a  suspicion  that  the  Wash- 
ington Eagle,  notwithstanding  this,  exists  also  in  Europe  ; 
usthCiS'rto^  Sea  Eagle  of  Brisson  is  described  by  this  au- 
thor as  being  t)  feet  0  inches  in  length  from  the  point  of 
the  bill  to  the  end  of  the  tail,  and  the  stretch  of  the 
wings  about  7  feel  !  These  measurements  also  arc 
adopted  by  ''iiH'on,  but  the  individuals  were  evidently  in 
younff  plumage,  iu  which  state,  as  described  by  Brisson, 
they  again  approach  the  present  species.  Nor  need  it  be 
considered  as  surprising  if  3  differ(  iit  species  be  con- 
founded in  the  Sea  Eagle  of  Europe,  as  the  recently 
established  Imperial  En^le  had  ever  been  confounded 
with  the  GobJpn.  Another  distinguishing  trait  of  the 
Washington  Eagle  is  in  the  length  of  the  tail,  whic!  is 
1^  inches  longer  than  the  folded  wings.  In  the  White- 
tailed  species  this  part  never  extends  beyond  the  wings. 

The  upper  parts  of  the  body  were  generally,  in  the  adult,  describ- 
ed by  Audubon,  of  n  dark,  shining,  coppery-brown.  The  tliroat, 
front  of  the  neck,  breast,  and  belly,  of  a  rich  and  bright  cinnamon 
color,  the  feathers  of  the  whole  of  which  were  long,  narrow,  sharp- 
pointed  and  of  a  somewhat  hairy  texture,  each  dashed  along  the  cen- 
tre with  the  dark  brown  of  tlie  back.  Lesser  wing-coverts  rusty 
iron-grey,  the  same  color  extending  from  the  shoulders  to  the  lower 
end  of  the  secondaries,  and  gradually  passing  into  the  brown  of  the 
back  as  it  meets  the  scapulars.     Primaries  brown,  darker  on  'heir 


nglc  (Falio 
iifruffus),  is 
the  male  of 
IcnijUi,  or  n 
L'liiulo  of  the 
or  H  inch»'8 
I  ningnitiulc 
Murciiu'iii  of 
s  Mniuiiil  of 
~M  individu- 
it  the  Wnsh- 
in  FiUropr  ; 
1  by  this  nu- 
thc  point  of 
retch  of  the 
ita  nl.so  arc 
evidently  in 
by  Briaaon, 
»r  need  it  be 
;ics  be  con- 
the  recently 
confounded 
trnit  of  the 
,ii,  whirl  is 
I  tlie  White- 
1  the  wings. 

adult,  deacrib- 
.  The  tliroat, 
ight  rinnainon 
narrow,  sharp- 
ftlong  the  cen- 
;-covert8  rusty 
rs  to  the  lower 
'  brown  of  the 
arker  oii  'heir 


WAHIIINtiTON  r\(tLK. 


tl 


inntr  vaii«t,  very  broad  and  (Irin  ;  the  outer  %  inchei  ihurter  than 
the  3d,  the  longest  'iA  inches  to  its  roots,  and  about  ^  an  inch  in 
dianxeler  at  the  harrt-I.  [In  Mr.  Plckerin;{'i(  »|i«>rlnien,  the  longest 
uill  gave  'i'lj  inrhes,  and  in  a  specimen  of  the  Uald  Eagle  tlic  Hiinie 
orresponding  feather  gave  only  '-rtj  inrhes,  though  the  specimen 
was  a  female.]  The  under  wiu^-coverts  iron-grey.  Foot  warty 
heneath  like  a  rasp,  enabling  the  bird  to  seriiro  its  slijipery  prey. 
Leg  featliprs  browii-rlnnamon,  pointed  liackwnrdH.  Iris  h.izel,  in- 
clining to  chesnut.     The  head  more  convex  than  in  the  Bald  Eagle. 

Suhfffnus  —  Haliaetos. 

Nostrils  creiicent-shaped.  Legs  half-feathered  ;  toes  divided  to 
the  base. 

These  live  chiefly  upon  fish  ;  anil  keep  generally  near  the  sea- 
shores, lakes,  and  rivers,  though  their  superior  size  and  Strength  en- 
able them  to  prey  upon  large  animals. 


^  .-m 


h:'.,m^ 


whitj'  headed  or  bald  eagle. 

(Fa.'fo  leucocephalus.  Linn.  Wilson,  iv.  p.  80.  pi.  3G.  [adult,]  and 
vii.  p.  IC.  pi.  55.  f.  2.  [young ;  as  the  Sea  Eagle.]  Audu- 
bon, pi.     Peale's  M.iseum,  No.  78.) 

Spec.  Charact.  —  Dark  brown ;  head  and  tail  white  ;  tail  extend- 
ing beyond  the  folded  wings ;  cere,  bill,  and  feet  yellow  ;  iris 
whitish-yellow.  —  Young,  spotte.'  and  varied  irregularly  with 
darker  and  lighter  brown  ;  bill  black ;  irids  pale  brown. 

This  noble  and  daring  Earjle  is  found  along  the  sea- 
coasts,  lakes,  and  rivers  throughout  the  arctic  circle, 
being  met  with  in  Asia,  Europe,  and  America.  In 
Behring's  isle,  Mackenzie's  'river,  and  Greenland,  they 
are  not  uncommon.  But  while  they  are  confined  in  the 
old  world  to  this  cheerless  region,  so  constantly,  that  only 


WHITE-HEADED  OR  BALD  EAGtE. 


73 


fas' 


\GLE. 

I.  30.  [adult,]  and 
1  Eagle.]     AuDU" 

hite  ;  tail  extend- 
feet  yellow  ;    iris 
irregularly    with 
e  brown. 

along  the  sea- 
;   arctic  circle, 

America.  In 
ifreenland,  they 
confined  in  the 
antly,  that  only 


two  *  instances  are  known  of  their   appearance   in  the 
centre  of  Europe,   in   the   United   States,   they  are  most 
abundant  in  the  milder  latitudes,  residing,  breeding,  and 
rearing  their  young  in   all    the  intermediate  space  from 
Nova  Scotia  or  Labrador  to   the   shores  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.     The  rocky  coast  of  this  part  of  New  England 
(Massachusetts),  is  however,    seldom   tenanted   by   this 
species  though  they  are   occasionally   seen  in  the  spring, 
and  about  the  commencement  of  winter.     In  the  United 
States  it  is  certain  that  they  show  a  decided  predilection 
for  the  milder  climates.     It  is   probable,   that  in  Europe 
they  are  deterred   in   their  migrations  by  the  tyrannical 
persecution    of  the    Whi^c-tailed    Eagle    (F.    albicilla) 
which  abounds  in   that   country,   living   also  principally 
on  fish  and  therefore  selecting  the  same  maritime  situa- 
tions  as  our   Eagle.     In   the   United  States,   he   sways 
almost  without  control   the   whole  coast  of  the   Atlantic 
and  has  rendered  the   rival  Osprey  his  humble  tributary, 
proscribing,  in  his  turn,  the  appearance  of  the  Sea  Eagle, 
which,  if  it  exist  at  all  with  us,  is  equally  as  rare  as  the 
present  species  appears  to  be  in  Europe. 

Though  on  Behring's  Isle  the  Bald  Eagle  is  said  to 
nest  on  cliffs,  as  the  only  secure  situation  that  probably 
offer§,  in  the  United  States,  he  usually  selects,  near  the 
sea-coast,  somr  lofty  pine  or  cypress  tree  for  his  eyry  : 
this  is  built  of  large  sticks,  several  feet  in  length,  form- 
ing a  floor,  within  and  over  which  are  laid  sods  of  earth, 
hay,  moss,  dry  reeds,  sedge-grass,  pine  tops,  and  other 
coarse  materials,  piled  to  *he  height  of  5  or  6  feet,  and 
4  or  5  feet  in  breadth  On  this  almost  level  bed  the  fe- 
male early  in  February  deposits  3  eggs,  one  of  which  is 
said  to  be  laid  after  an  intlrval  so  considerable  that  the 


♦  One  of  these,  an  old  male,  was  killed  in  the  Canton  of  Zuiich  in  Switzeriond  ; 
the  other,  a  very  old  female,  in  the  kingdom  of  Wurtomburg. 

7 


74 


BIRDS    OP    PREY. 


young  are  hatched  at  different  periods.  Lawson,  however, 
says,  that  they  breed  so  often  as  to  comn^ence  laying  again 
under  their  callow  young,  whose  warmth  assists  the  hatch- 
ing of  the  eggs.  This  eyry  or  breeding-place  continues  to 
be  perpetually  occupied  and  repaired  aa  long  as  the  tree 
endures ;  indeed  their  attachment  to  particular  places 
is  so  strong,  that  after  their  habitation  has  been  de- 
molished, by  the  destruction  of  the  tree  that  supported 
it,  they  have  very  contentedly  taken  possession  of  an 
adjoining  one.  Nor  is  the  period  of  incubation  the  only 
time  spent  in  the  nest  by  this  species  ;  it  is  a  shelter 
and  common  habitation  at  all  times  and  seasons,  being  a 
home  like  the  hut  to  the  savqjge,  or  the  cottage  to  the 
peasant.  » 

The  helpless  yoiing,  as  might  be  supposed,  are  fed 
with  great  attention,  and  supplied  with  such  a  superflu- 
ity of  fish  and  other  matters,  tiiat  they  often  lie  scattered 
around  the  tree,  producing  the  most  putrid  and  noisome 
effluvia.  The  young  are  at  first  clothed  with  a  whitish 
down  ;  they  gradually  become  grey,  and  continue  of  a 
brownish  grey  until  the  3d  year,  when  the  characteristic 
white  of  the  head  and  tail  becomes  perfectly  developed. 
As  their  food  is  abundant,  the  voung  are  not  forcibly 
driven  from  the  nest,  but  fed  for  some  time  after  they 
have  left  it.  They  are  by  no  means  shy  or  timorous, 
will  often  permit  a  near  approach,  and  sometimes  even 
bristle  up  their  feathers  in  an  attitude  of  daring  defence. 
Their  cry  is  sonorous  and  lamentable,  like  that  of  the 
Great  Eagle,  and  when  asleep  they  are  said  to  make  a 
very  audible  snoring  sound. 

The  principal  food  of  the  Bald  Eagle  is  fish,  and  though 
he  possesses  every  requisite  Sf  alertness  and  keenness  of 
vision  for  securing  his  prey,  it  is  seldom  that  he  obtains 
it  by  any  other  means  than  str.>lagem  and  rapine.     For 


this  ha 
naked 
tensive 
tion  he 
feathei 
explor( 
afar  he 
ample- 
watery 
like  a  ; 
his  stri 
air,  utt 
pirate  j 
above 
relinqu 
s'.'rer  a 
booty 
wooo's  1 
dat'.ons 
to  seek 
banish 
by  hun; 
to  attac 
the  can 
reaches 
away  tj 
rion.     ] 
and  oth 
diminis! 
southeri 
tions  ar 
even  de 
deed  is 
ces  tie 


■^&i#l*i«** 


WHITE-HEADED  OR  BALD  EAGLE. 


76 


m,  however, 
aying  again 
s  the  hatch- 
continues  to 
as  the  tree 
3ular  places 
IS  been  de- 
t  supported 
ission  of  an 
ion  the  only 
s  a  shelter 
ms,  being  a 
ttage  to  the 

ed,  are  fed 
1  a  superflu- 
lie  scattered 
md  noisome 
th  a  whitish 
)ntinue  of  a 
tiaracteristic 
jr  developed, 
not  forcibly 
le  after  they 
)r  timorous, 
etimes  even 
ing  defence, 
that  of  the 
1  to  make  a 

,  and  though 

keenness  of 

It  he  obtains 

rapine.     For 


this  habitual  daring  purpose,  he  is  seen  perching  upon  the 
naked  limb  of  some  lofty   tree   which  commands  an  ex- 
tensive view  of  the  ocean  ;    in  this   attitude  of  expecta- 
tion he  heedlessly  surveys   the  active  employment  of  the 
feathered  throng,  which  course  along  the  wavy  strand,  or 
explore  the  watery  deep  with  beating   wing,   until  from 
afar  he  attentively  scans  the  motions  of  his  provider,  the 
ample-winged    and    hovering  Osprey.       At    length,   the 
watery  prey  is  espied,  and   the  feathered  fisher  descends 
like  a  falling  rock  ;    cleaving   the   wave,    he  now   bears 
his  struggling  victim  from  the  deep,  and  mounting  in  the 
air,  utters  an  exulting  scream.     At  this  signal,  the  Eagle 
pirate  gives  chase  to  the   fortunate   fisher,   and   soaring 
above    him,     by    threatening    attitudes   obliges    him    to 
relinquish    his    prey ;     the     Eagle    now    poising    for    a 
s-jrer  aim,  descends  like'  an   arrow,  and   snatching  his 
booiy    before    it    arrives  at   the    water,     retires    to   the 
wooo's  to  consume  it  at  leisure.     These  perpetual  depre- 
dations on  the  industrious  Osprey  sometimes   arouse  him 
to  seek  for  vengeance,  Snd  several  occasionally  unite  to 
banish  their  tyrannical  invader.     When   greatly   pre.ssed 
by  hunger,  the  Bald  Eagle  has  sometimes  been  (^served 
to  attack  the  Vulture  in  the  air,, obliging  him  to  disgorge 
the  carrion  in  his  craw,   which  he  snatches  up  before  it 
reaches  the  ground.     IIe*is' sometimes  seen  also  to  drive 
away  the  Vultures,   and   feed   voraciously  on   their  car- 
rion.    Besides  fish,  he  preys  upon  Ducks,  Geese,  Gulls, 
and  other  sea-fowl,  and  when  the  resources  of  the  ocean 
diminish,    or  fail   from    any   cause^gfarticularly  on    the 
southern  migration  of  the  Osprey,   his   inland   depreda- 
tions are  soon  notorious,  young  lambs,  pigs,  fawns,  and 
even  deer  offen  becomnig  his  prey.    So  indiscriminate  in- 
deed is  the  fieice  appetite  of  this  bold  bird,   that  instan- 
ces tie  credibly  related  of  their  carrying   away  infants. 


^mM 


76 


BIRDS    OF    PREY. 


An  attempt  of  this  kind,  according  to  Wilson,  was  made 
upon  a  child  lying  by  its  mother   as  she  was  weeding  a 
garden  at  Great   Egg-Harbour   in   New  Jersey  ;   but  the 
garment  seized   upon  by  the  Eagle  giving   way   at  the 
instant  of  the   attempt,  the  11*6  of  the   child  was  spared. 
I  have  heard  of  another  instance  said  to  have  happened 
at    Petersburgh  in  Georgia,    near   the   Savannah    river, 
where   an   infant,  sleeping  in   the  shade  near  the  house, 
was  seized  and  carried  to  the  cyry   near   the   edge  cf  a 
swamp  r>  miles  distant,   and    when   found,  almost   imme- 
diately, the  child  was  dead.     The  story  of  the  Eagle  and 
child,  in  "The  history  of  the  house  of  Stanley,"  now  the 
crest  of  that  family,  shows  the  credibility  of  the  exploit, 
as  supposed  to  have   been  effected  by  the   White-tailed 
Eagle,   so  nearly   related  to  the  present.     Indeed,  about 
the  year  1745,  some  Scotch  reapers,  accompanied  by  the 
wife  of  one  of  them  with  an  infant,  repaired  to  an  island 
in  Loch  Lomond  ;  the  mother  laid  down  her  child  in  the 
shade  at  no  great  distance  from  her,  and  while  she  was  bu- 
sily engaged  in  labor,  an  Eagle  of  tliis  kind  suddenly  darted 
upon  the  infant,  and  imiiiediately  bore  it  away  to  its  rocky 
eyry  on^he  summit  of  Ben  Lomond.     The  alarm  of  this 
shocking   event  was  soon  spread;    and   a  considerable 
Jfarty,  hurrying  to  the  rescue,  fortunately  succeeded   in 
recovering  the  child  alive. 

The  Bald  Eagle,  like  most  of  the  large  species,  takes 
wide  ci  "-uits  in  its  flight  and  soars  at  great  heights. 
In  these  s-iblimc  attitudes  he  may  often  be  seen  hovering 
over  water-falls  andPofty  cataracts,  particularly  that  of 
the  famous  Niagara,  where  he  watches  for  the  fate  of 
those  II- fortunate  fish  and  other  animals  that  are  destroy- 
ed ;      ue  descent  of  the  tumultuous  waters. 

Ill  the  adult,  at  the  age  of^  yea,s,  all  the  plumage  of  the  body 
and  of  tlie  wings  is  of  a   deep  and  very  lively  brown  or  chocolate 


I,  was  made 
3  weeding  a 
?y  ;  but  the 
way  at  the 
was  spared, 
e  happened 
nnah  river, 
r  the  iiouse, 
D  edge  cf  a 
most  imme- 
e  Eagle  and 
sy,"  now  the 

the  exploit, 
White-tailed 
ideed,  about 
anied  by  the 

to  an  island 

child  in  the 
e  she  was  bu- 
Idenly  darted 
y  to  its  rocky 
alarm  of  this 

considerable 
iuccecded   in 

pecies,  takes 
reat  heights, 
leen  hovering 
ularly  that  of 
)r  the  fate  of 
it  are  destroy- 


WHITE-HEADED  OR  BALD  EAGLE. 


77 


color ;  the  liead  and  upper  part  of  the  neck,  as  well  as  the  tail  and 
Its  coverts,  are  of  a  pure  white,  (but  in  the  female  inr.lin«  a  little 
to  straw-color).  The  bill,  cere,  and  feet  yellow,  with  the  sole  of  the 
feet  rough  and  warty,  suited  for  holding  slippery  objects.  The  iris 
whitish-yellow.  The  female  about  3  feet  long,  with  the  stretch  of 
the  wings  about  7  feet.  The  mcUe  2  or  3  inches  shorter.  -  In  the 
first  year,  the  white  of  the  head  and  neck  is  blended  with  greyish- 
brown.  Tliese  parts  are  variegated  with  the  two  colors  in  the 
oeeond  year. 

The  young  of  the  first  year  are  distinguished  with  difficulty  from 
the  young  of  the  White-tailed  Eagle  ;  Uieir  plumage  is  however  less 
regularly  varied  with  brown  colors,  and  the  toil  is  always  somewhat 
longer. 


Subgenus.  —  Pandion. 

Bill  rounded  above,  and  with  the  cere  hispid ;  nostrils  obliquely 
curved;  membranaceous  on  the  upper  edge.  Tarsi  naked,  reticu- 
lated, rough;  toes  divided  to  the  base,  the  outer  versatile;  nails 
equal  and  rounded  beneath.  Wings  long;  let  primary  equal  with 
the  3d  ;  the  2d  longest. 

Of  a  cowardly  disposition,  and  living  on  fish,  Uiey  inhabit  near 
waters,  retiring  from  them,  when  frozen,  to  warmer  climates.  They 
seize  their  prey  in  their  talons  near  the  surface  of  the  water,  or 
plunge  for  it  as  occasion  requires  ;  they  very  rarely  hunt  birds. 


7* 


* 


nge  of  the  body 
wn  or  chocolate 


■■^P-:^' 


FISH-HAWK,  OR  OSPREY. 

{Faleo  haiimtus.  Linn.  Audubon,  pi.  81,  [excellent.]  Wilson,  v. 
p.  13,  pi.  5.  fig.  1.     Philndelphia  Museum,  No.  M4.) 

Sp£C.  Charact.  —  Dark  brown,  beneath  wl'.ite  ;  cere  and  feet  grey- 
ish-blue.—  Female  with  the  breast  thinly  spotted  with  pale 
brown.  —  Young,  nearly  all  the  feathers  above  terminated  with 
yellowish-white  tips. 

This  large  and  well  known  species,  allied  to  the 
Eagles,  IS  found  uear  fresh  and  salt  water  in  almost 
every  country  in  the  world.  In  summer  it  wanders  into 
the  arctic  regions  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America  ;  it  is 
also  found  cqi.ally  prevalent  in  the  milder  parts  of  both 
continents,  as  in  Greece  and  Egypt.  In  America  it 
is  found  in   the   summer  from   Labrador,   and   the    in- 


terior 

to  Bu 

ofCa 

Its 

subsis 
at  tlie 
the  cl 
ber,  tl 
furtlio 
probal 
whoII\ 

of  fi.'sll 

arrivai 

the  su 

shad, 

to  tiirc 

and  til 

ample 

fishers 

sary  pi 

Osprcj 

around 

the  doi 

flight, 

fection 

helples 

the  pir 

lated,  \ 

public 

Driven 

Eagles, 

»  Towai 
Boston  wit 
breed  along 


-W^Mms^rm^!s^ 


^ 


]  Wilson,  v. 
o.  144.) 

1  and  feet  grey- 
tted  with  pale 
erminated  with 

Hied  to  the 
3r  in  almost 
wanders  into 
lerica ;  it  is 
larts  of  both 
I  America  it 
and   the    in- 


FISH-HAWK  OR  OSPHEY. 


79 


terior  .-ound  Hudson's  Bay,  to  Florida  ;  and,  according 
to  Buffoi  it  extends  its  residence  to  the  tropical  regions 
of  Cayenne. 

Its  food  being  almost  uniformly  fish,  it  readily  acquires 
subsistence  as  long  as  the   waters  remain  unfrozen ;  but 
at  the  commencement  of  cool   weatiier,  even  as  early  as 
the  close  of  September,  or  at  farthest  the  middle  of  Octo- 
ber, they  leave  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  migrate 
furtJior  south.     This  early  period  of  departure   i.s,  in  all 
probability,  like  thoir  arrival  towards  the  close  of  March, 
wholly  regulated  by  the  coming   and  going  of  the  slioals 
of  fish  on  wJiich   they  are   accustomed  to  feed.*     Their 
arrival  in  tlic  spring   is   welcomed  by   the   fisherman,  as 
the  sure   indication  of  the  approach  of  those   shoals'  of 
shad,  herring,   and  other   kinds  of  fish  which  now  begin 
to  throng  the  bays,   inlets,   and   rivers  near   the  ocea°n  ; 
and  the   abundance  with   which  the  waters   teem  affords 
ample    sustenance    for    both    tlu;    af^rial    and    terrestrial 
fishers,  as  each  pursues  in   peace  hi^  favorite  and  neces- 
sary employment.     In  short   the  harmless  industry  of  the 
Osprey,  the  familiarity   wi^  «    ,,  •lirf,   he  rears   his  young 
around  tiie  farm,  his   unexpect  .1   neutrality  towards  all 
the  domestic  animals  near  him,  his  sublimely  picturesque 
flight,  and  remarkable   employment,   with   the  stroma;  ■x'. 
fection  displayed   towards   his   constant  mate  ;.nd  long 
helpless  young,  and  the   wrongs   he   hourly  su  i<  rb   «"rom 
the  pirate  Eagle,   are  circumstances  sufficiently     a)t  u- 
lated,  without  the  aid  of  ready  superstitiv^n,  to  ensu  e  ihr- 
public  favor  and  tolerance   towards  this  welcome  visitor. 
Driven  to  no  harsh  necessities,   like   his   superiors,  the 
Eagles,   he   leads  a   comparatively   harmless   life;    and 


*  Towards  tlio  close  of  Match,  or  beginning  of  April,  thoy  arrivo  in  the  vicinity  of 
Boston  with  the  first  shoal  of  ulowivos  or  herrings,  hut  yet  are  s(,I<lom  known  to 
breed  along  the  coast  of  Massachusetts. 


80 


BIRUa  OP  PREY. 


though  unjustly  doomed  to  servitude,  his  address  and 
industry  raise  him  greatly  above  to  his  oppressor,  so 
that  he  supplies  himself  and  his  young  with  a  plentiful 
sustenance.  His  adroitness  and  docility  in  catching 
fish  have  also  sometimes  been  employed  by  man  for  his 
advantage. 

Intent  on  exploring  the  sea  for  his  food,  he  leaves  the 
nest  and   proceeds  directly  to  the  scene  of  action,  sail- 
ing   round    in  easy    and    wide    circles,    and   turning  at 
times  as  on  a  pivot,  apparently  without  exertion,  while 
his  long  and   curving  wings  seem   scarcely   in  motion. 
At  the   height  of  from  100  to  200  feet  he  continues  to 
survey  the  bosom  of  the  deep.     Suddenly   he  checks  his 
course  and  hovers  in  the   air,   with    beating  pinions  ;   he 
then  descends  with   rapidity,   but  the  wily   victim   has 
escaped.     Now  he  courses  near  the  surface,   and   by   a 
dodging  descent,  scarcely   wetting  his  feet,   he   seizes  a 
fish,  which  he  sometimes  drops  or   yields  to  the  greedy 
Eagle ;  but,  not  discouraged,  he  again  ascends  in  spiral 
sweeps,  to  regain  the  higher  regions  of  the  air,  and  re- 
new his  survey  of  the  watery  expanse.     His  prey  again 
espied,  he  descends  perpendicularly  like  a  falling  plum- 
met, plunging  into  the  sea  with   a  loud   rushing  noise, 
and  with  an  unerring  aim.     In   an  instant  he   emerges 
with  the  struggling  prey  in  his  talons,  shakes  off  the  wa- 
ter  from    his   feathers,   and   now  directs  his  laborious 
course  to  land,  beating  m  the  wind   with  all  the  skill  of 
d  practised  seaman.     The  fish    which   he  thus  carries 
may  be  sometimes  from  6  to  8  pounds  ;  and  so  firm  some- 
times is  the  penetrating  grasp  of  his  talons,   that  when, 
by  mistake,  he  engages  with  one  which  is  too  large,  he  is 
dragged  beneath  the  waves,  and  at  length  both  fish  and 
bird  perish. 


Fisn-HAWK  on  OSPHFY. 


81 


ddrcss  and 
(pressor,  so 
I  a  plentiful 
in  catching 
man  for  hia 

3  leaves  the 
action,  sail- 
turning  at 
rtion,  while 
in  motion, 
continues  to 
checks  his 
pinions  ;  he 
victim  has 
,  and  by  a 
he  seizes  a 
(  the  greedy 
ids  in  spiral 
air,  and  re- 
prey  again 
'ailing  plum- 
shing  noise, 
he  emerges 
i  off  the  wa- 
lls laborious 
1  the  skill  of 
thus  carries 
JO  firm  some- 
,  that  when, 
)  large,  he  is 
ioth  fish  and 


From  the  nature  of  his  food,  h'  flesh,  and  even  the 
eggs,  arc  rendered  exceedingly  i.iik  and  nauseous. 
Thougli  iiJH  prey  i.s  generally  taken  in  the  bold  and  spir- 
ited manner  described,  he  sometimes  sits  on  a  tree  over 
a  pond  for  an  hour  at  a  time,  quietly  waiting  its  expected 
approach  ;  indeed,  my  friend  Mr.  N.  J.  Wyclh  informs 
me,  tiiat  lie  once  saw  one  of  these  Hawks  with  a  gold- 
fish in  liis  talons,  for  which  he  must  have  cautiously 
stolen  into  some    nei!.i;libo(iring  garden. 

Unlike  other  rapacious  birds  the  O.spreys  may  be  almost 
considered  gregarious,  breeding  so  near  each  other,  that, 
according  to  Mr.  Gardiner,  there  were  ou  the  small  isl- 
anil  on  wliich  he  resided,  near  to  the  eastern  extremity 
of  Long  Island  (New  York),  no  less  than  300  nests  with 
young,  Wilson  observed  20  of  their  nests  within  half  a 
mile.  I  have  seen  them  nearly  a.s  nek  about  Rehoboth 
Bay  in  Delaware.  Here  they  live  together  at  least  as 
peaceably  as  rooks  ;  and  so  harndcss  arc  they  consid- 
ered by  other  birds,  that,  according  to  Wilson,  the  Crow- 
Blackbirds,  or  Grakles,  are  sometimes  allowed  refuge  by 
the  Osproys,  and  construct  tiieir  nests  in  the  very  inter- 
.stices  of  their  cyry.  It  would  appear  sometimes,  that,  as 
with  Swallows,  a  general  assistance  is  given  in  the  con- 
structing of  a  new  nest ;  for,  previous  to  this  event,  a  flock 
have  been  seen  to  assemble  in  the  same  tree,  .squealing 
as  is  their  custom  when  any  thing  materially  agitates 
them.  At  times  they  are  also  seen  engaged  in  social 
gambols  high  in  the  air,  making  loud  vociferations,  sud- 
denly darting  down,  and  then  sailing  in  circles  ;  and 
these  innocent  recreations,  like  many  other  unmean- 
ing things,  are  construed  into  prognostications  of  stormy 
or  changing  weather.  Their  common  friendly  call  is  a 
kind  of  shrill  whistle,  'phew,  'phew,  'pheic,  repeated  about 
5  or  6  times,  and  somewhat  similar  to  the  tone  of  a  fife. 


m 


BIRD8    op    PREY. 


Though  social,  they  are  sometimes  r^een  to  om  m 
the  air,  insiiga'cd  probably  more  l)y  jealousy  tlum  a  i-ve 
for  rapine,  aa  their  food  is  always  obtaine<l  from  an  un- 
failing source. 

The  ancioiUs,  particularly   Aristotle,   pr(     luleil   t.  a 
the  Ospreys  taught  their  young  to  gaze  at  the  sun,  and 
that  those  who  were   unable  to  do  so  were  destroyed 
Linnteus  even  believed,   on   ancient   autliority,   tii   '   oi 
of  the  fcfct  of  this  bird  liad  all  tiie    toes  divided  whi       li 
other  was  piirtly  webbed,    so  that  it  could  swim  witli  "iic 
foot,  and  grasp  a  fish  in  the  other.     Aristotle  likewise 
remarked,  that  the  young  of  the  White-tailed  Eagle  were 
driven  from  tiie  nest  before  they   could   feed  them^   Ives, 
and  that  tliey  would  perish  but  for  the  aid  and  education 
which   they  received   from  the  Osprey.*     This  opinion 
arose,  no  doubt,  from   the    fact,  that  that  species,  no  less 
than  the  Bald  E  iglc,   is   in   the  habit  of  plundering  the 
Fish-IIawk  for   ts  sustenance. 

The  Fish-Hr  wk,  according  to  the  convenience  of  the 
nUc  where  it  tal  es  up  its  ;.bodo,  forms  its  nest  upon  rocks, 
VMTv  rarely  upon  \  he  ground  among  reeds,  or  amidst  ruin- 
tfd  and  deserted  buildings,  or  on  trees;  the  last  situa- 
tifiti,  however,  appears  to  be  universally  preferred  in  the 
4  uited  States.  It  is  commonly  situated  at  a  considera- 
ble elevation,  and,  like  the  eyry  of  the  Eagle,  continues 
to  be  occupied  as  long  as  the  tree  exists.  The  materi- 
als, however,  of  which  the  nest  is  composed  are  often  of 
such  a  nature,  and  in  such  quantity,  as  to  hasten  the  de- 
cay of  its  support.  The  following,  according  to  Wilson, 
is  the  ordinary  composition  of  this  rude  but  substantial 
fabric.  The  external  floor  is  made  of  large  sticks, 
from  I  an  inch  to   li  inches  in   diameter,  and  2  or  3 


*  Buffon  conaidors  the  hird  here  alluded  to  ai  the  Sea  Eagle,  which  is,  however, 
onljr  the  young  of  the  White-tailed  «pocioi, 


IISH-HAWK    OR  08PU, 


83 


•oro  .  iti 
tliuii  a  lovc 
Vom  an    in- 

,  luied  |i  ,it 
le  sun,  and 
destroyed 
y,  tliiit  one 
id  whii  th« 
ni  with  one 
tic  likewise 
Enjflf  were 
thenis.  Ivew, 
d  education 
^'hid  opinion 
lies,  no  less 
ndering  the 

3nce  of  the 
upon  rocks, 
amidst  ruin- 
I  last  situa- 
erred  in  the 
I  considera- 
c,  continues 
The  materi- 
are  often  of 
isten  the  de- 
g  to  Wilson, 
t  substantial 
arge  sticks, 
and  2   or  3 

vhicb  U,  however, 


feet  in  length  ;  thete  are  ^liled  to  (ho  height  of  4  or  5 
feet,  and  <  tin  2  to  ')  feet  in  breadth,  tiie  whole  inter> 
mixed  with  corn  ntulks,  gea-weeds,  and  mullein-stems, 
filled  in  with  i  rgc  quaiititicw  .  turf,  and  lined  with  the 
dry  sea-grass  (or  Zostira  marina)  ;  the  materials  so 
w ill  matted  together  as  often  to  adhere  in  largo  pieces 
after  being  l»lu  n  down  by  the  wind,  and  forming  a  m  iss 
observable  at  tli<  distance  of  half  a  mile,  and  sufficient 
to  ff  M  .1  cart-load  for  a  horse.*  As  with  the  Rooks, 
they  repnir  their  nests  in  the  autumn,  previous  to  their 
soutliern  omifj;r<ition. 

Early  lu  May  the  0<<pruy  commences  laying,  and  has 
from  'i  to  4  egg        They  ara  a  little  larger  than  those  of 

0  common  fowl,  and  are   from  a  reddish  or  yellowish 

am  color  to  nrarlv  white,  marked  with  large  blotches 
<ind  points  of  reddi  rown.  During  the  period  of  incu- 
bation the  male  fri  supplies  his  mate  with  food, 
and  she  leaves  her  uggs  tor  very  short  intervals. 

The  young  appear  about  the  last  of  June,  and  are 
most  assiduously  attended  and  supplied.  On  the  ap- 
proach of  any  person  towards  the  nest,  the  parent  utters 
a  peculiar  plaintive,  whistling  note,  which  increases  as  it 
takes  to  wing,  sailing  round,  and  at  times  making  a 
quick  descent,  as  if  aiming  at  the  intruder,  but  sweeping 
past  at  a  short  distance.  On  the  nest  being  invaded, 
either  while  containing  eggs  or  young,  the  male  displays 
great  courage,  and  makes  a  violent  and  dangerous  oppo- 
sition. The  young  remain  a  long  time  in  the  nest,  so 
that  the  old  are  sometimes  obliged  to  thrust  them  out, 
and  encourage  them  to  fly;  but  tin  y  still,  for  a  period, 
continue  to  feed  them  in  the  air  by  supplying  th'  i  with 
fish  from  their  talons. 


'*  According  to  CEklman,  tbeOsprey,  in  Sweden,  inal(09  ita  nest  n  i\a  highest  treoii, 
chiefly  of  Pine  tops, and  linoi  it  with  tho  luavea  of  the  Polypody  (Pni/fpodiumin/fore), 
u  structure,  as  to  materials,  extremely  dilioient  from  that  of  our  bird. 


84 


BIRDS  OP  PREY. 


Tl.p  loiiRth  of  the  vwle  Onproy  i.  »Vom  SI  to  28  Inrhei.,    The>- 
„,«k  i«  nboul  '^  tVet.     The  i.um.nit  of  tho  h.  u!,  mul  imrt.oularly  the 
upper  part  of  the  neck,  i.  l\.r,>iHh..l  with  ln„,f  nnl  n..rr..w  teather., 
darkiHli  \n  th.  n.uhlle,  and  e.lKod  with  yllow..!.  whit-  ;  th.-...  teath- 
erH  ar«  or«<-t.l.>  at  the  will  of  lh«  animal.     U|.p..r  parts  .lark  brown  ; 
there  i.  ort.-n  a  white  bnn.l  abov^   the  eyes  ;    a  h-.g  ba.id  of  deep 
brown  olontf  the  Hid..H  of  the  n...  k  ;    lower  part-  white;    upon  the 
breant  no.ne  faint  fawn-colored  .r  yellowish  tracen  ;    plun.a«e  ot  the 
thiifhH  streaked  down  the   fore-part  with  pale  bmwn.     Cvre  and  lee 
pale  greyiBh  l.'.ue  ;  the  latter   very   lanje,  covert    with  ncale.,   and 
rough  beneath  like  o.  rasp,  (for  the  pur,.o«..  of  hoi.lins  its  finny  prey.) 
Tail  oroMe.l  with  H  barn  of  very  dark  brown,  (only  six  .n  the  huro- 
pean,  according  to  Tetmninck.)     IriH  fiery  yellow.    Uill  black     The 
wingH  (accor<ling  to  Wilson)  extend  about  an  inch  beyond  the  tad 
(more  than  two  inches/rennniuck).  -  IVhcn  yuunirih.y  have  more 
or  fewer  fawn-colored   Hpols   beneath.      The   feather,  ot   tlu.   upper 
parts  are  tern.inated  with  yellowish  white  naargins;  also  a  couHubr- 
nble  Hpace  upon  the  breast  of  u  pale  fawn-color  .potted  with  brown  ; 
the  feet  Ukcwise  darker. 


Subgenus.  —  AsTiiR.  (Autoitrh,  Tvmmhuk.) 
The  bill  strong ;  with  the  tooth  or  lobe  of  the  upper  mandible  well 
defined  Nostrils  roundish,  or  in.tUning  to  oval  and  oblique.  Tarsi 
rather  long,  shielded  with  a  row  of  parallel  scales.  The  nnddle  toe 
much  longer  than  the  side  ones ;  th.'  -ter  connected  at  the  base  by 
a  membrane,  and  shorter  than  the  i.iner.  The  nails  are  long,  much 
curved,  and  very  acute. -Wings  short;  the  first  primary  n.uch 
shorter  than  the  ','d  ;  the  4th  longest.  The  female  similar  m  color 
with  the  male,  but  a  third  larger. 

These  are  bold,  sanguinary,  and  malignant  birds  ;  skimmmg  the 
earth  with  a  rapid  llight,  seizing  'heir  prey  upon  the  wng,  and 
sometimes  pouncing  upon  it  from  above.  They  are  not  inclined  to 
soar  at  great  elevations,  and  only  describe  wide  circles  in  their 
flight  about  the  commencement  of  the  breeding  season. 


mm 


irhM.  Tlie/<- 
imrticviliirly  the 
iiirrow  IVnlherii, 
li. ,  tlifho  IValli- 
•Is  iliirk  brown ; 
i;  Imnil  of  <l<'*p 
liiti' ;    upon  the 

)iliiiui\){f  iii'th* 
(JtTi'  and  feet 
;rith  HRulea,  and 
TitH  finny  l>r»'y 
MIX  in  iIm'  Knrn- 
Hill  liliuk.  The 
I  bt-yimd  llie  tail 
r(hi>y  have  more 
.ir»  of  Iho   upper 

also  a  consuU'r- 
ted  witli  brown ; 


imiiii  /i.) 

>r  niaiulihle  well 
I  oliliiiue.     Tarsi 

The  middle  toe 
!d  at  the  base  by 
■<  lire  liiiig,  much 
t  primary  much 

similar  in  color 

;  ukimming  the 
n  the  wing,  and 
!  not  inclined  to 
circles  in  their 
.son. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1^  1^    1 2.2 
!!:    US,    12.0 


1.8 


U    III  1.6 


■r-il  < 


moiograpmc 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14590 

(716)  872-4503 


Xu 


4/  #p  ^^     A, 


iio 


^ 


">..^ 


% 


^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


AMERICAN  GOSHAWK. 


85 


AMERICAN  GOSHAWK. 

{Falco  atricapillus,  WiLson.  Am.  Orn.  vi.  p.  80.  pi.  53.  fig.  3. 
F.  regalis,  Tf.mminck.     Philadelphia  Museum,  No.  400.) 

Spec.  Charact.  —  Dark  bluish-grey  ;  eyebrows  nearly  vvliite  ;  be- 
neath white,  everywiiere  traiisver.?ely  and  narrowly  banded  and 
longitudinally  lined  witli  dark  brown  ;  tail  ash-colored,  banded 
with  di;rkl)rown  ;  oere  greenish-yellow. —  Young,  dusky  brown, 
skirted  witli  ferrnginous ;  beneath  yellowish- white  with  oblong 
spots  of  dark  brown ;  tail  with  4  dark  bands  and  tipped  v;ith  white. 

The  foreign  representative  of  this  elegant  and  spirited 
species  of  Hawk  npi)oars  to  be  common  in  France,  Ger- 
many, the  nortlicrn  parts  of  Groat  Britain,  Russia,  and 
Siberia,  and  extends  into  Chinese  Tartary.  Our  species, 
so  nearly  related  to  the  European  bird,  is  very  rare,  mi- 
grating to  the  south  apparently  at  the  approach  of  win- 
ter. On  the  :2()th  of  October,  ]8;10,  I  received  one  of 
these  birds  from  the  proprietor  of  Fresh  Pond  Hotel,  in 
the  moult,  having  the  stomach  crammed  with  moles  and 
mice,  and  it  was  shot  in  the   act  of  devouring  a  Pigeon. 

The  Goshawk  was  held  in  considerable  esteem  for 
falconry,  and,  according  to  Bell,  was  employed  for  this 
amusement  by  the  emperor  of  China,  who  moved  some- 
times to  these  excursions  in  great  state,  often  bearing  a 
hawk  on  his  hand,  to  let  tly  at  any  game  that  might 
be  raised ;  which  was  usually  Pheasants,  Partridges, 
Quails,  or  Cranes.  In  1209,  Marco  Paulo  witnessed  this 
diversion  of  the  empf.Tor,  which  probably  had  existed  for 
many  ages  previous.  The  Falconers  distinguished  these 
birds  of  sport  into  two  classes,  namely,  those  of  falconry 
properly  so  called,  and  those  of  JiawJiiiiff ;  and  in  this 
second  and  inferior  class,  were  included  the  Goshawk, 
the  Sparrow-hawk,  Buzzard,  and  Harpy.  This  species 
does  not  soar  so  high  as  the  longer-winged  Hawks,  and 
dtrts  upon  its  quarry  by  a  side  glance,  not  by  a  di- 
8 


m 


8t5 


niRDS    OF    PREY. 


rect  descent,  like  the  true  Falcon.  They  were  caught 
in  nets  baited  with  live  pigeons,  and  reduced  to  obedi- 
ence by  the  same  system  of  privation  and  discipline  as 
tlic  Falcon. 

A  pair  of  these  birds  were  kept  for  a  long  time  in  a 
cage  by  Buffon  ;  he  remarks,  that  the  female  was  at  least 
a  tliird  larger  than  the  male,  and  the  wings,  when  clos- 
ed, did  not  reach  within  0  inches  of  tiie  end  of  the  tail. 
The  male,  though  smaller,  was  much  more  fierce  and 
untamable.  They  often  fought  with  their  claws,  but 
seldom  used  the  bill  for  any  other  purpose  than  tearing 
their  food.  If  this  consisted  of  birds,  they  were  plucked 
as  neatly  as  by  the  hand  of  the  poulterer  ;  but  mice  were 
swallowed  whole,  and  tiie  hair  and  shin,  and  other  indi- 
gestible parts,  after  the  manner  of  the  genus,  were  dis- 
charged from  the  mouth  rolled  up  in  little  balls.  Its  cry 
was  raucous,  and  terminated  by  sharp,  reiterated,  pierc- 
ing notes,  tlic  more  disagreeable  the  oftener  they  were  re- 
peated, and  the  cage  could  never  be  approached  without 
exciting  violent  gestures  and  screams.  Tliough  of  different 
sexes,  and  confined  to  the  same  cage,  they  contracted  no 
friendship  for  each  otlier  which  might  soothe  their  im- 
prisonment, and  finally,  to  end  the  dismal  picture,  the  fe- 
male, in  a  fit  of  indiscriminate  rage  and  violence,  mur- 
dered her  mate  in  the  silence  of  the  night,  when  ."ll  the  oth- 
er feathered  race  were  wrapped  in  repo.se.  Indeed  their 
dispositions  are  so  furious,  that  a  Goshawk,  left  with  any 
other  Falcons,  soon  effects  the  destruction  of  the  whole. 
Their  ordinary  food  is  younf'  rabbits,  squirrels,  mice, 
moles,  young  geese,  pigeons,  and  small  birds,  and,  with 
a  cannibal  appetite,  they  sometimes  even  prey  upon 
the  young  of  their  own  species.  They  construct  their 
nests  in  the  highest  trees,  and  lay  from  2  to  4  eggs  of  a 
bluish-white,  marked  with  lines  and  spots  of  brown. 


AMERICAN  DnOWN  OB  gLATE-COLOREO  HAWK. 


87 


rerc  caught 
d  to  obedi- 
iscipline  as 

',  time  in  a 
was  iit  least 

wlicn  clos- 
of  the  tail. 

fierce  and 
claws,  but 
han  tearing 
3re  plucked 
t  mice  were 
otiier  indi- 
s,  were  dia- 
ls. Its  cry 
atcd,  pierc- 
ley  were  re- 
led  without 
i  of  different 
ntracted  no 

3  their  ini- 
ure,  the  ft- 
enoe,  mur- 

r.'A  the  oth- 
ndeed  their 
ift  with  any 

the  whole. 
•rels,  mice, 
,  and,  with 

prey  upon 
struct  their 

4  eggs  of  a 
arown. 


The  lengtli  of  this  American  kind  is,  according  to  Wilson,  81 
incites ;  tlie  male  individual  in  mj  possession  is  25  inclies  long,  and 
37  inciies  in  the  stretch  of  tlie  wings.  Tlie  European  is  '-i  feet 
(Frencii)  for  the  male,  and  a  3d,  or  B  inches,  less  (10  inches),  for  the 
female.  Our  hird  is  therefore  mucli  larger,  and  the  wings  extend  to 
within  2  inches  of  the  end  of  the  tail ;  it  in  likewise  darker  on  the 
liead,  and  has  a  broad  dusky  stripe  passing  from  the  eye  to  the 
back  of  the  head  whicli  is  pale  ;  the  under  parts  also,  to  the  vent, 
are  not  merely  barred  with  a  single  line,  but  each  feather  is  crossed 
by  numerous  zig-zafr,  undulating,  dark  lines,  longitudinally  crossed 
by  a  central  line  of  the  same  color,  and  the  vent  is  also  white.  Wil- 
son's name  may  therefore  be  retained  for  tliis  peculiar  American 
species.  The  bill  is  blackish-blue  :  the  cere  and  legs  yellow.  Irids 
orange  yellow..  The  superciliary  line  very  distinct  and  nearly 
white,  proceeding'backwards  to  meet  on  the  hind-head.  Above,  the 
plumage  is  dark  cinereous,  tinged  with  brown  ;  the  primari  ..s  some- 
what lighter.  Legs  feathered  half  way  down.  Tail  mottled  with 
about  5  imperfect  bands  of  dark  brown,  chiefly  visible  on  the  inner 
vanes ;  the  central  tail  feathers  dark  grey,  with  about  4  imperfect, 
broad,  dusky  bars. 


AMERICAN  BROWN  or  SLATE-COLORED 
HAWK. 

(Fa/co /i«cM8,  Gmei.in.  F.  pennsi/lvanicus,  Wilson,  vi.  p.  13.  pi. 
4G.  fig.  1.  [adult  male],  and  F.  velox,  (Sharp-shinned  Hawk), 
Ibid.  v.  p.  IJf).  pi.  45.  fig.  1.  [young  female].  Bonap.  Ann.  Lye. 
vol.  ii.  p.  434.) 

Spec.  CiiAUACT.  —  Tail  even,  with  4  blackish  bands,  and  tipped 
with  white  ;  wings  extending  to  the  2d  band  ;  2d  primary  much 
shorter  than  the  Gth  ;  and  the  3d  than  the  ^i.  Length  about 
12  inches. — Mult,  dark  slate-color,  beneath  white,  broadly 
barred  with  ferruginous. —  Young,  dark  brown,  skirted  with  fer- 
ruginous; beneath  white,  with  narrow,  oblong,  ferruginous  spots. 

This  bold  and  daring  species  possesses  all  the  coura- 
geous habits  and  temerity  of  the  true  Falcon  ;  and,  if 
the  princely  amusement  to  which  these  birds  were  de- 
voted, were  now  in  existence,   few  species  of  the   genus 


^Hi^^SSM^^^M^llSi^B^ " 


88 


DIRDS    OF    PREV. 


would  be  found  more  sanguinary  cand  pugnacious  than 
the  present.  The  young  bird  is  described  by  Pennant 
under  tlie  name  of  the  dubious  Falcon,  and  he  remarks 
its  allinity  to  the  European  Spurrow-IIavvk.  It  is,  liow- 
ever,  somewhat  less,  differently  marked  on  the  head,  and 
much  more  broadly  and  faintly  barred  below.  The  nest 
of  our  species  is  yet  unknown.  It  probably,  like  its 
European  prototype,  builds  in  hollow  trees,  or  conceals 
its  eyry  among  rocks.  The  true  Sparrow-IIawk  .shows 
consiuorable  docility,  is  easily  trained  to  liunt  Partridges 
and  duails  ;  and  makes  great  destruction  among  Pigeons, 
young  poultry,  and  small  birds  of  all  kinds.  In  the 
winter  they  migrate  from  Europe  into  Barbary  and 
Greece,  and  arc  seen  in  great  numbers  out  at  sea,  mak- 
ing such  havock  among  the  birds  cf  passage  they  hap- 
pen to  meet  in  their  way,  that  the  sailors  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean call  them  Corsairs.  Wilson  observed  the  female 
of  our  species  descend  Mpon  its  prey  with  great  velocity 
in  a  sort  of  zig-zag  pounce,  after  the  manner  of  the  Gos- 
liawk.  Descending  furiously  and  blindly  upon  its  quarry, 
a  young  Hawk  of  this  species  broke  through  the  glass  of 
the  green-house,  at  the  Cambridge  Botanic  Garden  ;  and 
fearlessly  passing  through  a  second  glass  partition,  he 
was  only  brought  up  by  the  third,  and  caught,  though 
little  stunned  by  the  effort.  His  wing-feathers  were  much 
torn  by  the  glass,  and  his  flight  in  this  way  so  ii.ipeded 
as  to  allow  of  lus  being  approached.  This  species  feeds 
principally  upon  mice,  lizards,  small  birds,  and  some- 
times even  squirrels.  In  the  thinly  settled  states  of 
Georgia  and  Alabama,  this  Hawk  seems  to  abound,  and 
proves  extremely  destructive  to  young  chickens,  a  single 
bird  having  been  known  regularly  to  come  every  day  un- 
til he  had  carried  away  between  20  and  30.  At  noon-day, 
while  I  was  conversing  with  a  planter,  one  of  these  Hawks 


'    k.?. 


AMERICAN  BROWN  OR  SLATE-COLORED  HAWK. 


89 


lacioiis  than 
by  Pennant 
he  remarks 
It  is,  how- 
ne  head,  and 
.  The  nest 
j|y,  like  its 
,  or  conceals 
lawk  shows 
It  Partridges 
ing  Pigeons, 
ids.  In  the 
Jarbary  and 
at  sea,  mak- 
;e  they  hap- 
the  Mcditer- 
d  the  female 
•eat  velocity 
•  of  the  Gos- 
n  its  quarry, 
the  glass  of 
Jarden  ;  and 
partition,  he 
ight,  though 
s  were  much 
so  iupeded 
pccies  feeds 
,  and  some- 
jd  states  of 
ibound,  and 
nis,  a  single 
ery  day  un- 
it noon-day, 
hesc  Hawks 


came  down,  and  without  any  ceremony,  or  heeding  the  loud 
cries  of  the  house-wife,  who  most  reluctantly  witnessed 
the  robbery,  snatched  away  a  chicken  directly  before  us. 
At  another  time,  near  Tuscaloosa,  in  Alabama,  I  observ- 
ed a  pair  of  these  birds  furiously  attack  the  large  Red- 
tailed  Hawk,  squalling  very  loudly,  and  striking  him  on 
the  head  until  they  had  entirely  chased  him  out  of  sight. 
This  enmity  appeared  to  arise  from  a  suspicion,  that  the 
Buzzard  was  prowling  round  the  Oirm-house  for  the 
poultry,  which  these  Hawks  seemed  to  claim  as  their 
exclusive  perquisite.  As  this  was,  however,  the  13th  of 
February,  these  insulting  marauders  might  possibly  be 
already  preparing  to  breed,  and  thus  be  incited  to  drive 
away  every  suspicious  intruder  approaching  their  nest. 
In  fine  weather,  I  have  observed  this  species  soar  to  a 
jreat  elevation,  and  ascend  above  the  clouds  ;  in  this 
exercise,  as  usual,  the  wings  seem  but  little  exercised, 
the  ascent  being  made  in  a  sort  of  swimming  gyration, 
though  while  near  the  surface  of  the  earth  the  motion  of 
thejvings  iii  this  bird  is  rapid  and  continuous. 

The  ma(e  of  this  species  is  12  inches  long,  and  21  inches  in  extent, 
(the  female  14  inches  long,  and  25  in  stretch  of  the  wings.)  The 
bill  is  bluish-black.  Cere  greenish-yellow.  Eye-brows  strongly 
projecting.  The  iris  reddish  orange.  The  upper  parts  of  a  deep 
slate-blue,  the  featlvers  shafted  with  black.  Primaries  brownish- 
black,  barred  witli  dusky ;  lining  of  the  wing  crowded  with  heart- 
shaped  black  spots.  Tail  3  inches  longer  than  the  wings,  nearly 
even,  ash-colored,  crossed  with  4  broad  bands  oMilack,  and  tipped 
with  wliite.  Over  the  eye  extends  a  narrow  s^ie  of  dull  white, 
Chin  white,  mi.\ed  with  black  hairs.  Breast,  belly,  and  femorals 
variegated  with  broad,  transverse,  brownish  spots.  Vent  pure 
white.  Legs  long,  slender,  and  bright  yellow.  Claws  black,  re- 
markably sharp  and  large.  —  In  a  young  female  wjiich  I  obtained, 
of  the  length  of  about  14  inches,  the  feathers  of  the  breast  and  sides 
are  marked  with  broadish  transverse  pale  brown  bars,  which  are  ter- 
minated with  pointed  oblanceolate  spots.  This  particular  stage  of 
plumage  appeared  to  be  anterior  to  the  last. 


N  I  M 


m 


BIRDH    OF    PREY. 


COOPER'S  HAWK. 

(Fako  Cooperii,  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  ii.  pi.  10.  fig.  1.  [young].  Pliila- 
delpliia  Museum,  No.  403.) 

ypKc.  CiiARACT.  —  Tail  rounded,  with  4  blackish  bands,  and  tipped 
with  white  ;  wings  extending,  when  folded,  to  the  2d  band ; 
5jd  quill  nearly  equal  in  length  to  the  (1th,  and  the  3d  to  the 
uth.  Length  18  or  more  inches.  —  Iouh^,  dusky-brown, skirted 
with  ferruginous  ;  beneatli  white,  with  oblunceolate,  dusky  brown 
spots. 

This  fine  species  of  Hawk  is  found  in  considerable 
numbers  in  the  Middle  States,  particularly  New  York 
and  New  Jersey,  in  the  autumn,  and  at  the  approach  of 
winter.  Hi.s  food  apjjcars  principally  to  bo  birds  of  vari- 
ous kinds  ;  from  tiie  Sparrow  to  the  Ruffed  Grous,  all 
contribute  to  his  rapacious  appetite.  I  have  also  seen 
this  species  as  far  south  as  the  cr.pital  of  Alabama,  and  in 
common  v,  ith  the  preceding,  his  depredations  among  the 
domestic  fowls  arc  very  destructive.  Mr.  Cooper  in- 
forms me  that  the  plumage  of  the  adult  male  bears  the 
same  analogy  to  the  adult  of  F.  fiisrvs,  as  the  young 
of  that  species  does  to  the  present,  excepting  that  the 
rufous  tints  are  paler.  The  difference  in  size  between 
the  two  is  as  2,  or  even  3,  to  1. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  about  18  inches ;  and  nearly  30  in 
alar  extent.  The  general  color  of  the  young  bird  above  is  chocolate- 
brown,  and  tlie  lifcad  and  neck  blackish,  edged  with  rufous  and 
white.  The  bodj^eneath  is  white,  the  feathers  being  marked  each 
with  a  long,  dusky  stripe  down  the  shaf\s,  wliich  spots  become  broader 
and  oblanceolate  on  the  breast  and  flanks.  The  vent  and  lower  tail 
coverts  white.  The  wings  about  0  inches  long,  and  when  folded, 
scarcely  extend  to  the  '2d  bar  of  the  tail ;  the  quills  crossed  by  black- 
ish bands.  1^  pliinary  very  short,  more  so  than  tlie  secondaries  ; 
2d  equal  to  the  Gtli,  and  the  3d  to  the  5th,  the  2  last  being  scarcely 
shorter  than  tlie  4th,  which,  as  in  all  the  birds  of  this  section,  is  the 
longest.    Tail  8  inches,  extending  5  beyond  the  wings,  ashy  brown. 


'ouiig].  Pliila- 

ia,  and  tipped 
the  Sd  band; 
tlie  3d  to  the 
jrowii,  skirted 
,  dusky  brown 

onsiderable 
New  York 
approach  of 
irds  of  vari- 
1  Grous,  all 
3  also  seen 
ama,  and  in 
i  among  the 
Cooper  in- 
le  bears  the 
the  young 
ng  that  the 
ze  between 


1  nearly  30  in 
B  is  chocolate- 
Ih  rufous  and 
T  marked  each 
ecome  broader 
and  lower  tail 
1  when  folded, 
)8sed  by  black- 
B  secondaries  ; 
jeing  scarcely 
section,  is  the 
8,  ashy  brown, 


STANLEY  B  HAWK. 


91 


tipped  with  whitish,  and  crossed  by  4  eqviidistant  blackish  bands. 
Lejs  and  feet  yellow.  The  cere  greenish-yellow.  Iris  bright  yel- 
low, —i^ema/e,  a  inches  longer,  but  with  similar  plunmge. 


STANLEY'S  HAWK. 

(Fako  Stanleii,  nobis.    Astur  Stanleii,  Audubon,  pi.  3C.) 
Spec.  Ciiati\(t.  —  Above  dusky  brown,  a  little  varied  with  white  ; 
beneath   <MiiereouM   wilii   oblong  dusky    siiots.      Tail   long   and 
rounded,  extending  nnn.h    beyond   tlio  wings,  with  5  broadish 
dusky  bars ;  cere  und  legs  pale  yellow. 

Wixn  tills  fine  now  species  of  Audubon  we  are  yet 
unacquainted.  It  appears,  however,  nearly  allied  to 
/■'.  Cooprrii,  with  which  it  ought  to  be  compared.  It  is 
spiritedly  represented,  with  its  mate,  in  the  act  of  pursu- 
ing and  nearly  overtaking  a  Bluebird. 

About  li^i  inches  long.  Wings  barred.  1st  primary  very  short 
as  well  as  the  •>(!.  The  5th  longest.  — ./V/n/e,  with  tl  a  head  marked 
witli  dusky  white  and  rufous  on  each  feather.  Female,  w'dh  the 
head  dusky.  Heneath  cinereous,  with  oblong  dusky  brown  spots ; 
femorals  rul'oud-wiiite,  with  oblong,  pointed  spots. 


Subgenus.  —  Ictinia.  (Viellot.  Bonap.) 
Bill  short,  narrowed  above  ;  the  upper  mandible  angularly  lobed  ; 
the  lower  distinctly  notched ;  cere  glabrous ;  nostrils  rounded. 
Tarsi  short,  slender,  scutellated  (or  covered  in  front  with  a  row  of 
broad  scales)  featliered  for  a  short  space  ;  the  ou{P'  toe  connected  at 
ba.se  by  a  membrane.  The  nails  short  and  not  very  acute.  —  Wings 
very  long,  extending  to  the  end  of  the  tail.  3d  primary  longest. 
Tail  nearly  even. 

Bold  species ;  feeding  on  small  birds,  reptiles,  &c.,  but  chiefly 
on  insects.  Tliey  fly  out  in  easy  sailing  circles  at  a  considerable 
elevation.  —  Note.  The  birds  of  this  section  appear  to  be  intermedi- 
ate between  the  Falcons  and  true  Kites,  and  in  manners  they  are 
somewhat  related  to  the  Buzzards. 


,n 


r'JI 


'■toflKfttiiaafl 


92 


BIRDS    OP    PREY. 


MISSISSIPPI  KITE. 


{Fako  flumbeus,  Omkmi*.  Bonap.  Annal.  Lye.  p.  30.  Faleo  M\»- 
$is»ippien>is,  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.  iii.  p.  tiO.  pi.  ii'>.  fig.  1.  [ailult 
male]. ) 

Spec.  CiiAnAtT.  — Blackish-ash;  head,  neck,  and  beneath  whitiah- 
BMh  color  ;  the  tail  and  cere  black  ;  feet  and  iridH  bright  red. — 
Young,  Wuigh-blnck  ;  head  and  beneath  whitiah,  spotted  with 
bluish-brown  ;  the  toil  with  'i  white  bands  beneath ;  the  cere  yel- 
lowiib. 

This  romarkahly  long-winged  and  beautiful  Hawk 
docs  not  appear  to  extend  its  migrations  far  within  the 
United  States.  Wilson  observed  it  rather  plentiful  about, 
and  below  Natchez,  in  the  summer  season,  sailing  in 
easy  circles,  sometimes  at  a  great  elevation,  .so  as  to  keep 
company  occasionally  with  the  Turkey-Buzzards  in  the 
most  elevated  regions  of  the  air  :  at  other  times  they 
were  seen  among  the  lofty  forest  trees,  like  Swallows 
sweeping  along,  and  collecting  the  locusts  (Cicadfc) 
which  swarmed  at  this  season.  My  friend  Mr.  Say  ob- 
served this  species  pretty  far  up  the  Mississippi,  at  one 
of  Major  Long's  cantonments.  But,  except  on  the  banks 
of  this  great  river,  they  are  rarely  seen  even  in  the  most 
southern  states.  Their  food,  no  doubt,  abounds  more 
along  the  immense  valley  of  the  Mississippi  than  in  the 
interior  regions,  and,  besides  large  insects,  probably 
often  consists  of  small  birds,  lizards,  snakes,  and  other 
reptiles,  whicht  swarm  in  these  their  favorite  resorts. 
On  the  failure  of  their  food,  they  migrate  by  degrees 
into  the  Mexican  and  South-American  provinces  ;  and 
were  observed  by  De  Azara  in  Guiana,  about  the  latitude 
of  7  degrees.  Of  the  nest,  and  other  habits  of  this  uncom- 
mon bird,  we  are  yet  entirely  ignorant.  It  is  very  prob- 
able, that  like  the  Kite  it  builds  in  lofty  trees.  From 
the  very  narrow  limits  within   which   this  bird  inhabits 


WIIITE-TAILCO  HAWK. 


m 


Fako  Mis- 
fig.  I.  [adult 

leath  whitish- 
bright  red.  — 
Hpotted  with 
the  cere  yei- 

tiful    Hawk 

within  the 
itiful  about, 

sailing  in 
»  as  to  keep 
ards  in  the 

times  they 
3  Swallows 
I  (Cirm/fB) 
At.  Say  ob- 
ippi,  at  one 
1  the  banks 
in  the  most 
unds  more 
than  in  the 
3,  probably 

and  other 
ite  resorts, 
by  degrees 
inces  ;  and 
ihe  latitude 
his  uncom- 

very  prob- 
!es.  From 
rd  inhabits 


in  the  United  States,  it  is  more  than  probable,  that  tho 
principiil  part  of  the  npccies  arc  constant  residents  in  tho 
warmer  parts  of  tho  American  continent, 

In  length  tliJH  uppcJPN  is  14  inclioM,  and  3(1  in  the  stretch 
of  the  winga.  (The  European  Kite  is  SI  inches  to  i'A)  or  up- 
wiiidfi  in  nliir  »'.\t«'at,  which  is  neiirly  the  siime  proportion.) 
The  hill,  cere,  lores,  und  narrow  line  rtmnd  the  eye  are  iilack. 
Wings  very  long  and  pointed,  the  IW  rpiill  longest ;  the  primariet 
black,  niiirked  down  eacii  side  of  the  slmfl  with  reddish  sorrel,  and 
their  coverts  slightly  touched  with  the  siune.  All  the  njipi-r  pluni- 
iige  ai  the  roots  white ;  the  scnpuliirs  are  also  spotted  witii  white 
beneath.     Tail  sliglitly  forked,  and,  as  well  as  tlie  rump,  black. 


Subgenus.  —  Elanus.  {Cuvicr.  Bonap.) 

Bill  moderately  strong,  compressed  and  rounded  above  ;  the  mouth 
cleft  beyond  the  eyes ;  tlie  lobe  of  the  upper  mandible  obtuse  ;  cere 
villous ;  nostrils  oval.  —  Tarsi  short,  thick,  re<ict/'«''-?  (or  with  tho 
scales  scattered)  in  front,  leathered  half  w.y  down  ;  toes  cl^  to 
the  base;  the  nails  largo  and  acute,  the  outer  very  small.  Wings 
very  long ;  the  1st  and  3d  primaries  nearly  equal ;  the  1st  and  2d 
strongly  indented  on  the  inner  web ;  tho  2d  longest. 

These  are  timorous  birds  with  a  comparatively  small  and  weak  bill ; 
they  e.\cel  inflight,  describing  graceful  circles  in  the  air ;  yet  they 
seldom  attack  tlieir  prey  flying,  but  dart  upon  it  when  at  rest.  They 
feed  on  small  birds,  insects,  more  particularly  reptiles,  and  occasion- 
ally devour  dead  animals. 


WHITE-TAILED  HAWK. 

{Falco  diapar,    Temm.    Bonap.    Am.  Orn.  ii.  p.  18.  pi.  11.  fig.  2. 
[adult  female].  ) 

Spec.  Charact.  — Bluish-grey,  beneath  white ;  wiig- coverts  black; 
tail  even,  outer  feathers  shortest. 

Tins  beautiful  Hawk,  scarcely  distinguishable  from  a 
second,  African  species  of  this   section,  chiefly  inhabits 


04 


OIRDI    OF    PRGY. 


tho  continent  of  South  America,  aH  far  as  Paraguay,  lu 
the  United  States  it  is  only  seen  occasionally  in  the  pen- 
innula  of  East  Florida,  confining  iXh  viaits  to  tho  Houtli- 
etn  extremity  of  tho  Union.  It  appears  to  bo  very  shy 
and  ditficult  of  approach,  Hying  in  easy  circles  at  a  mod- 
erate eloviUion,  or  at  times  seated  on  tho  deadened 
branches  of  the  majestic  live-oak,  it  attentively  watches 
tho  borders  of  the  salt  marshes  and  watery  situations  for 
tho  field-mice  of  that  country,  or  unwary  Sparrows,  thai 
approach  its  perch.  Tlie  bird  of  Africa  nnd  India  is 
said  to  utter  a  sharp  and  piercing  cry,  which  is  often  re- 
peated, while  he  moves  in  tho  air.  They  build  in  the 
forks  of  trees,  a  broa^l  and  shallow  nest,  lined  internally 
with  moss  and  feathers.     The  eggs  are  4  or  5. 

The  female  of  this  epeciea  is  about  l(!i^  inches  long,  and  :)  feet  5^ 
inches  in  alar  extent.  Sides  of  the  hcnd,  neck,  and  body,  nnd  all  be- 
neath while.  Head  pearl-groy,  becoming  gradually  darker  towards  the 
neck  and  back,  from  the  front,  which  is  white.  Above  bluish  ash; 
smaller  ond  middle  wing-coverto  black  ;  primaries  slate  color.  Ist 
primary  a  little  shorter  than  the  'M ;  the  ad  longest.  The  closed 
wings  attain  within  an  inch  to  the  tip  of  the  tail ;  the  latter  being 
7  inches  long,  slightly  notched,  and  with  the  outer  feather  more 
than  half  an  inch  shorter  than  the  adjoining  one ;  the  middle  feath- 
ers pale  bluish-slate,  all  the  rest  pure  white.  Legs  and  feet  orange- 
yellow;  tarsus  covered  with  small  reticulated  scales  ;  toes  all  separ- 
ated to  the  base  ;  the  nails,  except  the  middle  one,  rounded  beneath. 
Bill  black ;  cere  orange-yellow  and  l)ristly.  Iris  brownish  red.  — 
The  male,  smaller  and  somewlint  darker,  tinged  with  ferruginous. 


nKiiii}'      III 
ill  the  pen- 

)   till!   l40Uth* 

bo  very  shy 
M  lit  ii  mod- 
(leadened 
dy  watcht'!! 
Illations  for 
rrowH,  that 
d  India  id 
is  often  re- 
iiild  in  the 
I  internally 


and  3  feet  Gi 
y,  nnd  all  he- 
ir towards  the 
e  bhiish  ash ; 
te  color,  lit 
The  closed 
B  latter  being 
fiMitlier  more 
middle  feath- 
1  feet  ornnge- 
oeB  all  separ- 
idt'd  beneath, 
viiish  red.  — 
jrruginouB. 


V  ■ 


SWALLOW-TAILED  HAWK. 

(Falcofumitus,  Lin.  Ai'nunov,  pi.  72.  [descending  with  n  Bnnke  in 
Ilia  taiona.]  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  vi.  p.  70.  pi.  .51.  fig.  2.  [adult 
male].  t'Jiilad.  Museum,  No.  148.) 

Spec.  Chabact,  —  White  ;  back,  wings,  and  tail  black,  with  green- 
ish nnd  purple  reflections;  tail  deeply  forked. 

This  beautiful  Kite  breeds  and  passes  the  summer  in 
the  warmer  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  is  also  proba- 
bly resident  in  all  tropical  and  temperate  America,  mi- 
grating,' into  the  southern  as  well  as  the  northern  hemis- 
phere. In  the  former,  according  to  Viellot,  it  is  found 
in  Peru,  and  as  far  as  Buenos  Ayres ;  and  though  it  is 
extremely  rare  to  meet  with  this  species  as  far  as  the 
latitude  of  40  degrees  in  the  Atlantic  states ;  yet,  tempt- 


U' 


fl 


¥:l.      -* 


96 


BIRDS    OF    PREV. 


ed  by  the  abundance  of  the  fruitful  valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, individuals  have  been  seen  along  that  river  as  far 
as  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  in  the  -11th  degree  of  north 
latitude.  Indeed,  according  to  Fleming,  two  stragglers 
have  even  found  their  devious  way  to  the  strange  climate 
of  Great  Britain. 

They  appear  in  the  United  States  about  the  close  of 
April  or  beginning  of  May,  and  are  very  numerous  in 
the  Mississippi  territory,  20  or  'M)  being  sometimes  visi- 
ble at  the  same  time,  often  collecting  locusts  and  other 
large  insects,  which  they  are  said  to  feed  on  from  their 
claws  while  flying  ;  at  times  also  seizing  upon  the  nests  of 
locusts  and  wasps,  and  like  the  Honey-Buzzard,  devour- 
ing both  the  insects  and  their  larva.'.  Snakes  and  lizards 
are  their  common  food  in  all  parts  of  America.  In  the 
month  of  October  they  begin  to  retire  to  the  soutli,  at 
which  season  Mr.  Bartram  observed  them  in  great  num- 
bers assemljlcd  in  Florida,  soaring  steadily  at  great  ele- 
vations for  several  days  in  succession,  and  slowly  pass- 
ing towards  their  winter-quarters  along  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico. 

In  length  this  speoies  is  about  2  feet ;  and  4  feet  0  inches  in 
the  stretch  of  the  wings.  (Tlie  true  Kite  is  2  feet  liy  upwards  of  .5 
feet  stretcli.)  The  bill  is  black ;  the  cere  yellow,  as  well  as  the 
legs.  Iris  orange-red.  The  head  and  neck  white ;  beneath  also 
white.  Upper  i)arts  blacli,  glossed  with  green  and  purple.  Wings 
reaching  within  2  inches  of  tlie  tip  of  the  tail.  Tail  very  long,  and 
remarkably  forked,  of  12  feather?.  Several  of  the  tertial  featliers 
white,  or  edged  with  that  color ;  lining  of  the  wings  white.  —  The 
plumage  of  the  male  and  female  very  similar. 


^..wa^... 


)t'the  Missis- 
river  as  far 
grce  of  north 
wo  stragglers 
ange  climate 

the   close  of 

numerous  in 
mctimes  visi- 
sts  and  other 
m  from  their 
a  the  nests  of 
zard,  devour- 
;s  and  lizards 
rica.  In  the 
the  south,  at 
in  great  num- 

at  great  elc- 
1  slowly  pass- 

the    Gulf  of 


eet  0  inches  in 
by  upwards  t)t'5 
,  as  well  as  the 
5 ;  beneath  alsf» 
purple.  Winga 
very  loni^,  and 
e  tertial  leathers 
gs  white.  —  The 


ROUGH-LEGGED  FALCON. 


97 


Subgenus.  —  Buteo  {Buzzards.) 
Bill  short,  suddenly  curving  from  its  base,  and  much  hooked  ;  lobe 
blunt ;  the  sides  of  the  lower  mandible  bent  inwards.  Head  rather 
large,  with  the  neck  thick  and  short ;  the  body  also  rather  .stout.  — 
Tarsus  jhort  and  thick,  scutellated,  partially  or  wholly  feathered ; 
outer  toes  connected  at  base  by  a  membrane  ;  nails  rather  weak, 
tliose  of  the  inner  and  hind  toe  largest.  Wings  usually  long,  with 
the  4  first  primaries  indented  on  the  inner  web  ;  the  1st  very  short, 
and  the  4th  longest. 

Fe?nale,  larger,  but  similar  in  color.  The  young  very  different. 
By  their  heavy  flight,  inferior  boldness,  and  massive  form,  they  orten 
appear  to  make  an  approach  towardf  the  owls ;  in  captivity  indeed 
they  habitually  liide  themselves,  and  appear  dastardly.  They  feed 
on  young  rabbits,  squirrels,  mice,  rats,  moles,  snakes,  fr  large  in- 
sects, and  small  birds,  which  they  co.nraonly  wat  or  while 
perched. 


§  1.   With  the  tarsi  feathered  to  the  toes. 
*  ROUGH-LEGGED  FALCON. 

(Falco  lagopus,   Lia.  WitsoN.    Am.  Orn.  iv.  p.  50.  pi.  33.  fig.  1. 

[male.]  ) 

Spec.  Charact.  — Varied  with  dark  brou-n  and  ferruginous:  a 
blackish  brown  belt  on  the  belly ;  tail  white,  darli  brown  to- 
wards the  extremity,  terminated  by  a  dull  white  edging.  —  Female, 
generally  lighter,  though  more  brown  along  the  sides  and  belly. 
—  Younn;,  the  belt  only  indicated  by  large  brown  spots  at  the 
sides,  with  the  feathers  of  the  thighs  transversely  barred ;  the 
tail  with  3  bands  towards  its  extremity ;  and  with  tlie  iris  of  a 
brownish  yellow. 

This  remarkable  species  of  Buzzard  appears  to  take 
up  its  residence  chiefly  in  the  northern  wilds  of  Amer- 
ica, where  probably  it  builds  in  large  trees,  as  it  is  known 
to  do  in  Europe.  It  is  said  to  lay  4  eggs,  clouded  with 
reddish.  It  is  common  also  to  the  north  of  Europe,  if 
not  to  Africa.  Its  usual  station  is  on  the  outskirts  of 
9 


1 

P 


NHSIiBp!TWR??^?'SIP^J^-' 


i     '  \m^' 


98 


IIIUDS    OF    rREY. 


woods,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  marshes  ;  situations  suit- 
ed for  supplying  it  with  its  usual  humble  prey  of  frogs, 
mice,  reptiles,  and  straggling  birds,  for  which  iv,  patiently 
watches  for  liours  together,  from  day-break  to  late  twi- 
light. When  his  prey  is  perceived,  he  takes  a  cautious, 
slow,  circuitous  course  near  the  surface,  and  sleeping 
over  tlie  spot  where  tiie  object  of  pursuit  is  lurking,  he 
instantly  grapples  it,  and  flies  off  to  consume  :'t  at  leis- 
ure. The  inclement  winters  of  the  high  northern  re- 
gions, where  they  are  usually  bred,  failing  to  afford  them 
food,  they  are  under  the  necessity  of  making  a  slow  mi- 
gration towards  those  countries  which  are  less  severe. 
According  to  Wilson,  no  less  than  from  20  to  30  indi- 
viduals of  this  species  continued  regularly  to  take  up 
their  winter-quarters  in  the  low  meadows  below  Philadel- 
phia. They  are  never  observed  to  soar,  and,  when  dis- 
turbed, utter  a  loud,  squealing  note,  and  only  pass  from 
one  neighbouring  tree  to  another.  In  the  course  of  the 
winter  they  proceed  into  Maryland,  and  probably  further 
south.  In  Europe  they  seldom  migrate  so  far  to  the 
south  as  Holland. 

Tlie  lengtli  of  this  species  is  (in  the  male)  about  19  to  20  inches ; 
in  the  female,  a  feet  2  or  3  inciies  (Wilson's  measurement  of  22 
itiches  can  only  belong  to  the  following  species.)  Cere  and  feet 
yellow.  Bill  b'ackish.  Iris  yellow.  Upper  part  of  the  head  pale 
ochreoua,  streaked  with  brown.  Back  and  wings  dark  brown  and 
ferruginous  ;  first  4  primaries  nearly  black  about  the  tips ;  rest  of 
the  quills  dark  brown,  with  the  lower  side  and  inner  vanes  white  ; 
tail  coverts  white.  Body  beneath  pale  ochreous,  spotted  and  striped 
with  blackish  brown. 


BLACK  HAWK. 

{Falco  sancti-johannis,  Gmelin.  Bonap.  F.  niger,  Wilson.  Am. 
Orn.  vi.  p.  82.  pi.  53.  fig.  1.  [adult,]  and  fig.  2.  [the  young.] 
Philad.  Museum,  404,  405.) 


. 


BLACK    HAWK. 


99 


uations  suit- 
ey  of  frogs, 
I  if,  patiently 
to  late  twi- 
!  a  cautious, 
id  sweeping 
lurking,  he 
le  at  at  leis- 
northern  re- 
afford  them 
5  a  slow  mi- 
less  severe. 
I  to  30  indi- 
to  take  up 
)w  Philadel- 
i,  when  dis- 
ly  pass  from 
ourse  of  the 
lably  further 
»  far  to  the 


')  to  20  inches ; 
purement  of  ^ 
Cere  and  feet 
the  head  pale 
irk  brown  and 
■  tips;  rest  of 
:  vanes  white  ; 
ted  and  striped 


Wilson.  Am. 
[the  young.] 


Sp>;c.  Chaiiact.  -  Black ;  front  and  line  round  the  eye  white  ;  tail 
rounded,  crossed  with  5  bands  of  white,  and  terminated  with  dull 
white. -FouH^',   according  to  age,  varied  with  white,  brown, 
blackish,    and  ferruginous;     at  first  palish  brown.'    Tail  half 
way  white,  with  1  or  2  external  dusky  bars  and  a  broad  subter- 
,ninal  band  ofblack;- the  feathers  sometimes  merely  blotched 
with  black  and  while  on  their  inner  vanes. 
This  somewhat  rapacious  and   sombre-colored  species 
chiefly  inhabits  the  northern  parts  of  America,  particu- 
larly Hudson's  Bay  and   Newfoundland,   from  whence  it 
sallies,  at  the  approach  of  winter.     It  appears,  occasion- 
ally at  such  seasons,  in   this  part  of  Massachusetts,  sail- 
ing over  the  wet   meadows,  at  a  low  elevation,  in  search 
of  mice,  moles,  and  frogs,  and  is  very  shy  and  transitory 
in  its  visits.     Like  the  other  birds  of  this  natural  section, 
it  watches  for  its  prey  while  seated  on  the   dead  limb 
of  a  tree,  or  on  a  ledge  of  rock,  from  whence,   accord- 
incT  to  Pennant,  it  is  in  the  habit  of  watching  the  Ducks, 
and  striking  them  as  they  rise.     I  have  seen  them  soar- 
in'T  and  traversing   the   marshes   about  Reedy  Island  m 
the   Delaware,   probably   in  the    same   pursuit,   though 
sometimes  contenting   themselves  with   crabs   and  shell- 
fish when  nothing  better  offered. 

This  species  seems  to  present  a  great  diversity  in  its  plumage.  In 
Pennants  figure  the  tail  is  broadly  barred  with  white,  and  the  upper 
parts  are  varied  with  black  and  dull  white,  with  indications  ot  trans- 
terse  bars  on  the  femorals.  In  length  it  is  from  21  to  22  inches ; 
and  4  feet  2  inches  in  the  stretch  of  the  wings.  The  b.!l  blackish. 
Cere,  sides  of  the  mouth,  and  feet  yellow.  Eye  large,  with  the  iris 
bright  hazel.  General  color  above  brown  black  with  lighter  shades. 
Nape  of  the  neck  white  below  the  surface.  Lower  parti  black  with 
slight  shades  of  brown.  The  wings  extend  a  little  beyond  the  tip  of 
the  tail.  The  5  first  primaries  are  white  on  their  inner  vanes.  Tail 
rounded,  deep  black,  crossed  with  5  narrow  bands  of  white,  and 
broadly  tipped  with  dull  white ;  the  vent  black,  spotted  with  white. 
Toes  very  short. 


El 


100 


P   anS    OF    I'KEY. 


§  2.    With  the  tarsi  partly  feathered. 
SHORT-WINGED  BUZZARD. 

{Fako  *  Buteoides.  Nobis.  F.  B«<fo,  Pennant,  not  of  Lin.  Arctic 
Zool.  vol.  i.  p.  241.) 

Spec.  Charact.  —  Dusky  brown;  beneath  yellowisl'-wliite  with 
oblanceolate  dusky  spots  ;  wings  not  e.xtending  to  tlie  end  of  the 
tail ;  tail  dusky  with  about !)  bars  and  tipped  with  dull  white  : 
ere  and  legs  yellow.  ■ —  Male,  darker,  witli  hastate  spots  on  the 
femorals,  and  the  external  feiilhers  of  the  tail  wholly  dusky,  the 
under  ones  barred  only  on  their  inner  vanes  ;  also  more  inclined 
to  ferruginous  beneath,  and  with  the  throat  scarcely  spotted.  — 
Ftmale,  4  inches  longer,  lighter,  with  the  tail  distinctly  barred, 
and  the  femorals  scarcely  spotted. 

This  large  American  Buzzard  is  not  uncommon  in 
this  vicinity,  but  more  abundant  towards  winter.  He 
appears  to  have  very  mucli  the  manners  of  the  European 
Blizzard,  remaining  inactive  for  hours  togetlier  on  the 
edges  of  wet  meadows,  perched  upon  the  larger  limbs  of 
trees,  :  nd  at  times  keeping  up  a  regular  quailing  and 
rather  iioarse  keigh-oo  kcigh-oo,  which,  at  intervals,  is 
answered  by  his  mate.  When  approached  he  commonly 
steals  off  to  some  other  tree  at  no  great  distance  from  the 
first,  but  if  the  pursuit  be  continued,  he  flies  out  and 
hovers  at  a  considerable  height.  His  prey  is  probably 
mice,  frogs,  and  reptiles  ;  and  in  New  York  he  possesses, 
according  to  Pennant,  the  name  of  tiie  Great  Hen-Hawk, 
from  his  occasional  depredations  on  the  poultry,  a  fault 
with  which  he  is  seldom  charged  here.  Pennant  also  adds, 
that  it  continues  in  that  state  the  whole  year,  and  lays  5 
eggs  in  the  month  of  May.  It  is  also  an  inhabitant  of 
Hudson's  Bay  and  Newfoundland.  The  true  Buzzard 
is  said  to  be  of  a  cowardly  and  indolent  disposition  ;  con- 
structing, in  old  oaks  and  birch-trees,  a  nest  of  small 
branches,  or  taking  possession  of  one  deserted  by  the 
Crows,  and  lining  n  with  wool  and  other  soft  substances, 


of  Lin.  Arctic 

s!i-wliite  witli 
tlie  pnd  of  the 
:h  dull  wliite: 
ye  spots  on  tlie 
jlly  dusky,  the 
more  inclined 
v]y  spotted.  — 
itiuctly  barred, 

nconiinon  in 
ttintcr.  He 
le  European 
etlier  on  the 
ger  limbs  of 
quailing  and 
intervals,  is 
le  commonly 
nee  from  the 
flies  out  and 
f  is  probably 
be  possesses, 
Hen-Hawk, 
Itry,  a  fault 
nt  also  adds, 
r,  and  lays  a 
inhabitant  of 
rue  Buzzard 
osition ;  con- 
est  of  small 
erted  by  the 
"t  substances, 


SMORT-WINGEn  DUZ/ARO. 


101 


in  which  it  lays  only  2  or  3  whitish  ogp,  waved  with 
greenish,  and  spotted  with  yellowish.  But,  if  deficient 
in  courage,  it  is  not  so  in  natural  alfection,  feeding  and 
tending  its  young  with  much  assiduity  ;  and  even  the 
male,  according  to  Ray,  on  the  death  of  the  female,  pa- 
tiently feeds  and  rears  the  brood  till  able  to  provide  for 
themselves. 

According  to  Buffon,  a  Mr.  Fontaine  succeeded  in 
taming  and  domesticating  a  Buzzard,  so  completely  that 
he  exhibited  a  real  attachment  to  his  master,  attended  at 
the  dinner-table,  caressing  with  his  head  and  bill.  He 
managed  to  conquer  the  dogs  and  cats  of  the  house, 
seizing  the  food  from  them  when  there  wore  several 
together  ;  and,  as  a  last  resort,  when  hard  pushed  by  his 
assailants,  took  wing  with  a  tone  of  exultation.  He  had 
also  a  singular  antipathy  to  red  caps,  which  he  dexter- 
ously snatclied  from  the  heads  of  the  working  peasantry 
without  being  perceived ;  he  likewise  purloined  wigs  in 
the  same  manner,  and  after  carrying  this  strange  booty 
to  the  tallest  tree  of  an  adjoining  park,  he  left  them  there 
without  injury.  Although  he  sometimes  attacked  the 
neighbouring  poultry,  he  lived  on  amicable  teritis  with 
those  of  his  master,  bathing  even  among  the  chickens 
and  ducklings  without  offering  them  the  least  injury. 

The  length  of  this  species,  according  to  Pennant,  is  20  inches. 
This  nius*  doubtless  be  the  female,  which  I  have  found  about  25 
inches ;  the  ?nale  is  only  20  inches.  The  bill  is  dusky,  and  the 
cere  yellow.  The  head  and  hind  part  of  the  neck  is  brown,  broadly 
edged  with  white,  or  brownish  white.  The  back,  scapulars,  and 
wing-coverts  dark  brown  edged  with  ferruginous ;  the  rump  brown, 
but  the  immediate  tail  coverts  as  well  as  the  scapulars  are  barred 
with  white  below  the  surface.  The  3  first  primaries  black,  white  at 
their  bases  and  notched  on  their  inner  vanes  ;  tl»e  3d  primary  a  very 
little  longer  than  the  ith  ;  the  inner  vanes  of  all  the  rest  of  the  quills 
barred  but  not  to  their  edges,  the  intervening  white  bars  above 
strongly  tinged  with  ferruginous.  Throat,  breast,  and  belly,  ferru- 
9" 


(^ 


10-2 


BIRDS    OF    PRET. 


ginoiiH  white,  marked  rather  tliinly  with  oblong  or  oblanceolati? 
brown  spots ;  belly  nearly  spotlesB,  tlie  vent  wholly  so ;  femoralu 
ferruginous-white  with  hastate  transverse,  and  some  terminal  point- 
.  d  bars.  Legs  short,  strong,  and  yellow.  Irids  dark  brown.  — 
Note.  In  my  larger  specimen  (or  the  fctnale),  the  lower  part  of  the 
breast,  approaching  the  belly,  is  marked  with  a  few  large  roundish  dark 
spots ;  the  whole  under  side  is  nearly  white,  with  the  spots  fewer 
and  larger ;  the  chin  is  also  thickly  spotted,  which  is  not  so  in  the 
male;  the  femorals  are  likewise  covered  with  long  thin  fealheri- 
almost  entirely  spotless  ;  the  bars  on  the  quills  are  less  prominent, 
and  the  tail  distinctly  barred  on  both  sides  ;  no  bars  appearing  on 
the  upper  side  of  the  tail  in  the  tnale.  The  4  first  primaries  notched 
on  their  inner  vanes,  and  the  4th  primary  longest  '. 


RED-TAILED  HAWK  or  BUZZARD. 

{Falcoborealis,  OMF.h.  Audubon,  pi.  51.  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  vi.  p.  75. 
pi.  58.  fig.  1.  [adult]  and  American  Buzzard,  F.  kverianus. 
Ibid.  vi.  p.  78.  pi.  52.  fig.  2.  [young].) 

Spix.  CiiAKAOT.  — Dusky  brown;  beneath  whitish  with  dark  has- 
tate spots;  wings  considerably  shortor  tlian  the  tail.  —  Female 
very  similar  to  the  male.  In  the  adult  the  tail  is  ferruginous, 
with  a  blackish  subterniinal  band.  —  Voimg,  with  the  tail  pale 
dusky  brown,  crossed  by  1)  or  11)  narrow  blackish  bands. 

This  beautiful  Buzzard  inhabits  most  parts  of  the 
United  States,  being  observed  from  Canada  to  Florida  ; 
also,  far  westward  up  the  Missouri,  and  even  on  the 
coasts  of  the  northern  Pacific  Ocean,  by  Lewis  and 
Clarke.*  Wilson  found  the  young  to  be  fully  grown 
in  the  month  of  May,  about  latitude  31  degrees  on  the 
banks  of  the  Mississippi  ;  at  this  period  they  were  very 
noisy  and  clamorous,  keeping  up  an  incessant  squealing. 
They  also  occasionally  nest  and  breed  in  large  trees  in 
the  secluded  forests  of  this  part  of  Massachusetts.  The 
young  birds  soon  become  very   submissive,   and   allow 


r  oblanceolat* 
80 ;  femoralK 
crniirml  point- 
lark  brown.  — 
icr  part  of  tlie 
!  roundinhilurk 
lie  spolB  fewer 
i  not  so  in  tlie 
■  tliin  frntlierK 
ess  prominent, 
H  appearing  on 
nmiics  notclied 


RD. 

.  Orn.  vi.  p.  75. 
F.  kverianuB, 

with  dark  has- 
tail.  —  Female 
is  ferruginous, 

th  the  tail  pale 

bands. 

parts  of  the 
1  to  Florida  ; 
even  on  the 
Lewis  and 
fully  grown 
agrees  on  the 
ey  were  very 
mt  squealing, 
large  trees  in 
lusetts.  The 
B,  and   allow 


RED-TAILED  HAWK,  OR  DLZZAUD. 


lOS 


themselves  to  he  handled  with  ii.ipunity  hy  those  who 
feed  them.  The  older  birds  sometimes  contest  with  each 
other  in  the  air  about  their  prey,  and  nearly  or  wholly 
descend  to  the  earth  grappled  in  each  others  talons. 
Though  this  species  has  the  general  aspect  of  the  Buzzard, 
its  manners  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Goshawk  ;  it 
is  equally  fierce  and  predatory,  prowling  around  the  farm 
often  when  straitened  for  food,  and  seizing,  now  and  then, 
a  hen  or  chicken,  which  it  snatclics  by  m.iking  a  lateral 
approach;  it  sweeps  along  near  the  surface  of  tiie  ground, 
and  grasping  his  prey  in  his  talons,  bears  it  away  to 
devour  in  sonic  place  of  security.  These  depredations  on 
the  farm-yard  happen,  however,  only  in  the  winter  ;  at 
all  other  seasons  this  is  one  of  the  shyest  and  most  diffi- 
cult birds  to  approach.  They  will  at  times  pounce  upon 
rabbits,  and  considerable  sized  birds,  particularly  Larks, 
and  have  l)ecn  observed  in  the  southern  states  persever- 
ingly  to  pursue  squirrels  from  bough  to  bough  until  they 
are  overtaken  and  seized  in  their  talons.  They  are 
frequently  seen  near  wet  meadows  where  mice,  moles, 
and  frogs  are  prevalent ;  and  also  feed  upon  lizards,  ap- 
pearing indeed,  often  content  with  the  most  humble  game. 
They  usually  associate  in  pairs,  and  seem  much  at- 
tached to  each  other  ;  yet  they  often  find  it  conven- 
ient and  profitable  to  separate  in  hunting  their  prey, 
about  which  they  would  readily  quarrel,  if  brought  into 
contact.  Though  a  good  deal  of  their  time  passes  in  in- 
dolence, while  perched  in  some  tall  and  deadened  tree, 
yet  at  others  they  may  be  seen  beating  the  ground  as 
they  fly  over  it  in  all  directions  in  quest  of  game.  On 
some  occasions  they  amuse  themselves  by  ascending  to 
a  vast  elevation  like  the  aspiring  Eagle.  On  a  fine 
evening,  about  the  middle  of  January,  in  South  Carolina, 
I  observed  one  of  these  birds  leave  his   withered  perch, 


t    ; 


I 


it  - 


r 


104 


BIRDS    OF    PUEY. 


and  sonrinjif  aloft  over  the  wild  landscape,  in  a  mood 
of  contemplation,  begin  to  ascend  towards  the  thin  skirt- 
ing of  elevated  clouds  above  him.  At  length  he  passed 
this  sublime  boundary,  and  was  now  perceived  and  soon 
followed  by  his  ambitious  mate,  and  in  a  littb;  time,  by 
circular  ascending  gyrations,  they  both  disappeared  in 
the  clear  azure  of  the  heavens  ;  and  though  I  waited  for 
their  re-appearance  half  an  hour,  they  still  continued  to 
be  wholly  invisible.  This  amusement,  or  predilection 
for  the  cooler  regions  of  the  atmosphere,  seems  more  or 
less  common  to  all  the  rapacious  birds,  In  numerous 
instances  this  exercise  must  be  wholly  independent  of  the 
inclination  for  surveying  their  prey,  as  few  of  them  be- 
side the  Falcon  descend  direct  upon  their  quarry.  Many, 
as  well  as  the  present  species,  wl:en  on  the  prowl,  fly  near 
to  th'  surface  of  the  ground,  and  often  wait  an<l  watch 
so  as  to  steal  upon  their  victims  before  they  can  take  the 
alarm.  Indeed  the  Condor  frequents  and  nests  upon  the 
summits  of  the  Andes,  above  which  they  are  seen  to  soar 
in  the  boundless  ocean  of  space,  enjoying  the  invigorat- 
ing and  rarefied  atmosphere,  and  only  descending  to  the 
plains  when  impelled  by  the  cravings  of  hunger. 

The  Red-tniled  Hawk  is  20  to  22  inclies  in  length,  and  H  feet  9  or 
more  inches  in  the  stretch  of  the  expanded  wings.  The  bill  greyish 
black  ;  cere,  sides  of  the  mouth,  and  legs  yellow.  Upper  parts  dark 
brown,  touched  with  ferruginous.  Wings  dusky,  barred  with  black- 
ish, scapulars  barred  beneath  the  surface.  Sides  of  the  tail  coverts 
white,  barred  with  rusty,  the  middle  ones  dark.  Tail  rounded,  ex- 
tending 2  inches  beyond  the  wings,  of  a  bright  brown  or  brick 
color,  with  a  single  band  of  black  near  the  end,  and  tipped  with 
brownish  white  ;  on  some  of  the  lateral  feathers  indications  of  bars. 
Beneath  brownish  white,  the  breast  tomewhat  rust-colored,  streak- 
ed with  dark  brown ;  across  the  belly  a  band  of  interrupted  spots  of 
brown.  Chin  white ;  vent  and  femorals  pale  ochreous,  the  latter 
with  a  few  small  heart-shaped  spots  of  brown.    Iris  yellow. 


1 


in  a  mnoii 
;  thin  skirt- 
li  he  pnssed 
(1  and  soon 
iU'  time,  by 
jppeared  in 
[  waited  for 
ontiniicd  to 
predilection 
ms  more  or 
ti  numerous 
ident  of  the 
>f  tiiem  be- 
rry. Many, 
nvl,  fly  near 

and  watch 
an  take  the 
Its  upon  the 
seen  to  soar 
e  invigorat- 
ding  to  the 
3r. 

nil  n  feet  9  or 
16  bill  greyish 
per  parts  dark 
d  with  black- 
e  tail  coverts 
rounded,  ex- 
iwn  or  brick 
i  tipped  with 
itions  of  bars, 
ilored,  streak- 
upted  spots  of 
}ug,  the  latter 
How. 


DLACK  BUZZAUD.  BHOAD-WINOED  HAWK.  105 

BLACK  BUZZARD. 

(Falco  Harlani,  Audubon,  pi.  80.  [male  and  female],  ) 
Spec.  CiiAiiArT.  —  PiirpliHli-blnck  with  Home  brown  ;  the  toil  longer 
than  the  wingH,  with  7  or  ci  black  bands  ;    cere  and  legs  yellow  ; 
beneoth  purple  with  oblong  black  spots  ,  the  femorals  with  has- 
tate ones. 

This  fine  species  was  discovered  by  the  author  during 
liis  last  excursion  in  the  mountains  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
is,  I  believe,  at  times  also  seen  in  this  vicinity. 

About  the  size  of  the  lled-tailed  Buzzard.     Cere  yellowish-green 
Legs  pale  yellow.     The  wings  a  few  inches  shorter  than  the  tail. 
Ist  primary  rather  short,  4th  longest. 


BROAD-WINGED  HAWK. 

{Fako  pennaylmnicus,  Audibon,  pi.  [male  and  female.]  Wilson. 
Am.  Orn.  vi.  p.  !I2.  pi.  54.  fig.  1.  [male.]  Bonap.  An.  Lye.  8. 
p.  ai).    rhihul.  Museum,  No.  407.) 

Spec.  CriAHACT.  — Dark  brown  ;  head  streaked  with  whitish;  be- 
neath white,  thickly  spotted  on  the  breast  with  brownish  sagit- 
tate spots ;  tail  short,  black,  with  '-J  imra  of  white  and  lipped  with 
whitish,  cere  and  feet  yellow.—  Yoimfi:.  Tail  indistinctly  banded 
with  black  and  dusky  ;  lower  i>art8  pure  white,  with  rare  black- 
ish oblanceolate  spots. 

This  very  rare  species  was  obtained  by  Wilson,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  act  of  feeding  on  a  mead- 
ow mouse.  On  being  approached,  it  uttered  a  whining 
whistle,  and  flew  to  another  tree  where  it  was  shot.  Its 
great  breadth  of  wing,  as  well  as  of  the  head  and  body, 
compared  with  its  length,  appears  remarkably  character- 
istic. The  following  day  the  mate  was  observed  sailing 
in  wide  circles,  the  wings  scarcely  moving,  and  present- 
ing  almost  a  semicircular  outline.     Those  3  individuals 


Ik*- 


106 


ninOM    OF    PREY. 


appear  to  be  all  that  wore   known  to  Wilson  of  this 
■pecies. 

The  Buzzardvt,  of  Pennant,  No.  KM),  vol.  i.  p.  '-24.'>, 
descrii)e(l  from  a  specimen  in  the  Leverian  Museum,  is 
doubtless  this  species. 

TliH  length  of  thin  Hpecimen  (u  «ia/e)  was  M  inches  (according 
to  Pennant,  15  inchei),  extent  ;W.  Bill  bliick,  bluiBli  nenr  the  Imiie, 
■lightly  tuutlied  ;  cere  and  corners  oC  tiie  mouth  yellow.  Iridn  am- 
ber color.  Frontlet  uml  loreH  white.  From  the  moutii  linokwardM 
run*  a  patch  of  bliickish  brown.  Ujiper  parts  dark  brown,  beneath 
the  surface  spotted  and  barred  with  white.  Head  large,  broad, 
and  flat,  streaked  with  whitish.  Tail  short,  the  exterior  ond  inte- 
rior feathers  somewhat  shorter  ;  tail  coverts  spotted  with  white. 
Wings  dusky  brown,  obscurely  barred  with  black  ;  most  of  ih.e  inner 
vanes  partly  white  ;  lining  of  the  wing  brownish-white,  marked 
with  small  arrow-heads  of  brown.  Chin  white,  surrounded  with 
streaks  of  black.  Uelly  and  vent,  like  the  breast,  white,  but  more 
thinly  marked  with  pointed  spotsof  brown.  Femornls  pale  bro.vnish 
white,  thickly  marked  with  small  touches  of  brown  and  white. 
Legs  stout ;  feet  coarsely  scaled,  both  of  a  dirty  orange  yellow.  — 
Female,  much  larger,  lighter  colored  over  the  eye,  being  rufous- 
white  with  minute  spots;  femorals  and  beneath  the  wing  marked 
with  cordate  spots.  Beneath  rufous-white  with  oblong  dusky-brown 
spots.     Belly  and  rump  the  same  color,  but  spotless. 


WINTER  FALCON,  on  RED-SHOULDERED 
HAWK. 

{Faleo  hyemalh,  Gmei..  Aidlbon,  pi.  71.  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  iv. 
p.  73.  pi.  X).  fig.  1.  [adult  male]  and  Red-shouldered  Hawk  .' 
F.  Uneatus,  id.  C.  p.  8(i.  pi.  5;j.  fig.  "A.  [young  male.]  Af  ucboh, 
pi.     Philad.  Museum,  205,  272,  and  273.) 

Spec.  Charact.  —  Brownish,  varied  with  white  and  ferruginous; 
tail  always  banded,  extending  considerably  beyond  the  closed 
wings.  —  Adult,  htovrn;  beneath,  head,  neck,  and  tail  coverts 
white,  spotted  longitudinally  with  brown  ;  tail  with  8  or  0  bands 
of  dark  and  light  brown. —  Young,  brown  and  ferruginous,  be- 
neath rusty,  slightly  varied  with  faint  bars ;  wings  dusky  and 
barred  ;  tail  black,  crossed  and  tipped  with  5  hands  of  white. 


'■'mUi 


mmgmmmm^mmsm 


(ton  of  thiH 

I.  i.   p.  '-245, 
MuHeum,  i.i 


Ilea  (according 
iieortliP  biiHe, 
)W.  IridK  am- 
itli  Imckwards 
ri)\vii,  lifiifntli 
Inrgp,  broad, 
irior  and  inte- 
d  with  white. 
)Bt  of  the  inner 
wliitc,  iimrked 
rruuiidt'd  with 
hite,  but  more 
)  pale  brOtvniHh 
wn  and  white, 
inge  yellow.  — 
bfinir  rufous- 
I  winjr  marked 
g  dusky-brown 


.DERED 

,  Am.  Orn.  iv. 
Idered   Hawk  ? 

lie.]    AUDCBON, 

d  ferruginous; 
ond  the  closed 
nd  tail  coverts 
ilh  8  or  0  bands 
'erruginous,  be- 
ings dusky  and 
h  of  white. 


WINTF.U  F.\I.'~  IN,  on   RKI>-8tIOiri,DF.RF.D   HAWK. 


107 


TiiiH  very  olegant  Hawk  doe«  not  probnbly  migrate  or 
inhabit  very  far  to  tiio  north.  They  are  never  seen,  I 
believe,  in  Massachusetts,  nor  porliap.s  much  further 
than  tlic  state  of  New  York.  In  the  southern  states, 
during  winter,  thoy  are  very  common  in  swampy  situa- 
tions, where  tlieir  cpiailing  cry  of  mutual  recognition  may 
be  heard  from  tlic  dcptlisof  the  dark  forest,  almost  every 
morning  of  iho  season.  This  plaintive  echoing  note  re- 
sembles somewhat  the  garrulous  complaint  of  the  Jay, 
kfe-o6,  kfi-o(>,  kce-o6,  continued  with  but  little  intermis- 
sion sometimes  for  near  t2()  minutes;  at  lengtii,  it  be- 
comes loud  and  impatient,  but  on  being  distantly  an- 
swered by  the  mate,  the  sound  .softens  and  becomes 
plaintive  like  kee-no.  This  morning  call  is  uttered  most 
loudly  and  incessantly  i)y  tiie  male,  inrpiiring  for  his  ad- 
venturous mate  whom  the  uncertain  result  of  the  chase 
has  perhaps  separated  from  him  for  the  night.  As  this 
species  is  noways  shy,  and  very  easily  approached,  I 
have  had  the  opi)ortunity  of  studying  it  closely.  At 
length,  but  in  no  haste,  I  ob.servcd  the  female  approach 
and  take  her  station  on  the  same  lofty,  decayed  limb 
with  her  companion,  who,  grateful  for  this  attention, 
plumed  the  feathers  of  his  mate  with  all  the  assiduous 
fondness  of  a  dove.  Intent  upon  her  meal,  however, 
she  soon  flew  off  to  a  distance,  while  the  male  still 
remained  on  his  perch  dressing  up  his  beautiful  feathers 
for  near  half  an  hour,  often  shaking  his  tail,  like  some 
of  the  lesser  birds,  and  occasionally  taking  an  indifferent 
survey  of  the  hosts  of  small  chirping  birds  which  sur- 
rounded him,  who  followed  without  alarm  their  occupa- 
tion of  gleaning  seeds  and  berries  for  subsistence.  This 
Hawk,  indeed,  lives  principally  upon  frogs,  and  proba- 
bly insects  and  Cray-fish  in  the  winter.  In  this  pursuit 
I  have  occasionally  observed  them  perched  on  low  bushes 


L    -' 


109 


niRnn  op  rnev. 


and  tttkei  in  the  rif<'-lt>  >U,  rcmnining  thus  for  half  ni; 
hour  at  a  time,  and  then  darting  after  their  pn-y  ax  it 
coiiti  in  night,  I  saw  oik?  (IrscctKl  upon  a  IMovcr,  an 
I  thoiighf,  and  Wil-^on  rrniarkm  their  living  on  thoHO 
birdH,  Larkft,  nntl  '^uulpipcrH.  'I'ho  same  pair  that  I 
watchi'd  also  hung  ou  the  rear  of  a  flock  of  (.'ow-hnntingst 
which  worr  fccdinjr  nnd  Hcratchinu  around  th<Mii.  It  is 
pONsibli!  that  they  soinrdincx  altuck  s<|iiirrri.s,  as  I  have 
boon  informed  ;  and  Wilson  charges  them  witii  preying 
also  upon  Ducks. 

I  never  ol)serve(l  them  to  soar,  at  least  in  winter,  their 
time  being  pas.^d  very  much  in  indolence,  and  in  watch- 
ing their  ignoble  game.  Their  lligiit  is  almost  as  easy 
and  noiseless  as  that  of  the  owl.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  month  of  March  they  were  hreedinif  in  West  Flor- 
ida, ami  seenie(l  to  choose  l\w  densest  thickets,  and  not 
to  build  at  any  great  height  from  the  ground.  On  ap- 
proaching these  places,  the  kit'OO  became  very  loud  and 
angry. 

All  tlie  inilivlduulH  I  liovo  Hoon  in  the  Boutliprn  HtatoSiNoiiicHrcireB, 
Bgieed  «<>  tifiirly  with  WilsitiiH  nnd  I'fiiiiiiiil'H  Ut'd-HJumlderpd 
Hiiwk,  timt  I  ciiti  Brarndy  avoid  the  roiirluHion,  tliat  IIuh  is  the  state 
of  the  adult  pluiiinge  ;  W,  indeed,  the  Winter  Hawk  in  at  all  identic 
with  ours,  the  very  different  number  of  bun  in  the  tail  of  the  two 
birds  is  sufficiently  rem.irkalde.  The  male  Red-shouldered  spe- 
cies, according  to  Wiltion,  is  1!)  inches  in  length  ;  that  of  Pennant 
was  ti  inches,  having  seven  haiuls,  however,  on  the  tail ;  this  must 
have  been  a  female,  which  differs  from  the  other  sex  chiefly  in 
tlie  colors,  which  are  less  dark  and  pure.  Bill  blackish.  Cere  and  legs 
yellow.  The  head  and  back  are  brownish  and  rusty.  The  greater 
wing-covers  nnd  secondaries  pale  olive-brown,  thickly  spotted  with 
white  and  yellowish  white.  Primaries  nearly  black,  barred  with 
white.  Tail  black,  rounded,  expending  about  I4  inches  beyond  the 
wings,  crossed  by  .')  bands  of  white,  nnd  broadly  tipped  with  the 
same.  Beneath  bright  rusty,  with  indistinct  darket  '  MS'ne  bands 
(the  disposition  of  whirli,  being  contrary  io  th.it  oi  U.o  .>,,  .ts  ','  the 
Winter  Hawk,  are  in  the  order  usually  occurring  'n  r.ld  bUti.-)  rakhar 


_ 


for  linlf  ni< 
'  prey  M  it 

Plover,  tt« 
1^  r)ii  those 
|iaii-  thnt  I 
jw-biintingM 
hcin.  It  ii* 
*,  iiH  I  liavc 
vitli  proying 

viiitf-r,  tlu'ir 
ul  ill  watch. 
iioHt  HH  easy 
'iirly  part  of 
West  I'Mor- 
rts,  iind  iiol 
1(1.  On  a|)- 
!ry  loud  unci 


'H,H(>iiii'  Hrores, 
tt'd-Hluiiililered 
luH  in  thf  state 
s  lit  nil  identic 
tail  of  the  two 
loiildcred  Hpe- 
ml  (if  Peiiniint 
tail ;  this  inuBt 
BOX  cliiefly  in 
,  Cere  niid  legs 
.  The  fjrenter 
y  spotted  with 
k,  barred  with 
lies  beyond  the 
ipped  with  the 
iirwre.-M  bandi 
Ue  spots  <>('  tha 
Id  l,Ua.'  -ai-Jiw 


lir.N-llAHUIKR,  on  MAHHIf-ll.iWK. 

Umn  in  thu  young) ;  the  dark  ihaaaofanmcofthrM  featliefn  nl#o  pre- 
iient  partly  the   narrow  obloiii^  Npnts  of  the   Winter   Hawk  ' 

pale  oclireous.  Le({H  l<,n^,  and  f.-atjiered  n  litlh  .cjow  the  kii.-es  . 
fenmralpi  pale  ruity,  and  Imrred  faintly  with  a  darker  tint.  IriN  red- 
diNli-hazel, 

In  the  Winlfr  Hawk,  the  head,  neck,  throat,  br*tt»t,  nnd  belly 
ore  while,  eiich  leather  haviiijj  a  narrow  dark-brown,  oblonK,  penciU 
like  spot.  The  lesser  coverth  of  tlie  wliiifs  more  stronnty  lermain- 
oui;  jecondiries  pale  brown,  lainlly  barred  with  darker,  the  pri- 
maries browiiisii-omnKe,  spotted  with  blii.k,  and  wholly  so  at  the 
tipx  Tail  barr.d  iilt  Tiintely  with  dark  and  jiale  brown,  the  inner 
v.nif:i  white,  the  exterior  brownish-orantfe.  Toil  covertu  white, 
with  heart-shaped  spots  of  brown.  Femoral  feathers  pale  ochre- 
oiis,  Willi  olunder  streaks  of  palo  brown. 


Subgenus.  — Ci  tiers.     (IlAnnir.iis.) 

These  are  principally  distinguished  from  the  Buzzards  by  having 
a  kind  of  collar  of  small  rii,rid  feiithern  Niirroundin)r  the  face,  as  in 
Owls.  They  are,  however,  bold  and  active  birds,  with  a  ijracetiil 
tliUfht,  bnt  arc  inferior  to  tlio  true  Falcons,  not  chasing  so  well  on 
the  wing,  and  fc.Mling  principally  on  mice,  reptiles,  fisli,  young  birds, 
and  insects.  They  pass  their  time  chiefly  about  marshes  and  ponds, 
near  which  situations,  amidst  weeds  on  tbe  ground,  or  in  the  woods, 
they  constrnct  tlieir  nests.  At  the  pairing  season  the  males  piini 
much  oCtbeirtime  in  soaring  at  considerable  elevations,  and  seem  to 
lake  delight  in  dwelling  in  the  cooler  regions  of  the  air.  The  female 
and  young  dilfer  considerably  in  color  from  the  male. 


HEN-HARRIER,  ou  MARSH-HAWK. 

(Fako  ci/aneu>,  Lin.  F.  uliginnsus,  Wilson,  .Vm.  Orn.  vi.  p.  07. 
pi.  51,  fig.  1.  [young  female],  and  Bonai'.  Am.  Orn.  ii.  pi.  11. 
fig.  1.  [adult  male.]) 

Spec.  Ciiahact.-- With  the  wings  extending  to  three  fourths  the 

length  of  the  tail ;    the  H.l  and  4th  primaries  equal ;    rumj)  white. 

—  Adult  male  bluish-grey  ;  inner  vanes  of  the  primaries  and  be- 

10 


i. 


no 


BIRDS  OF  PREY. 


neatk  wliite  witliout  spots  ;  the  quills  black  towards  the  end. — 
Female  and  young  dark  brown  ;  beneath  pnle  yellowish-brown 
with  dark  spots  •  the  wings  on  the  under  siue  banded  with  black 
and  white  ;  tail,  except  the  2  middle  dusky  featliets,  barred  with 
blackish  and  pale  brown. 

This  species  is  common  to  the  northprn  and  temper- 
ate, as  well  as  the  warmer  parts  of  the  old  and   new 
continents,    being  met  with   in    Europe,    Africa,   South 
America,  and  the  West  Indies.     In  the  winter  season  it 
extends   its   peregrinations   from   Hudson's   Bay    to  the 
southern  parts  of  the  United  States,   frequenting  chiefly 
open,  low.  and  marshy  situations,   over   which  it  sweeps 
or  skims  along,   at    a   liule   distance    usually   from    the 
ground,  in  quest  of  mice,  small  birds,  frogs,  lizards,  and 
other  reptiles,  which  it  often  selects   by  twilight,  as  well 
as  in  the  open  day  ;    and  at  times,   pressed  by  hunger,  it 
joins  the  Owls,  and  seeks  out  its  prey  even  by  moonlight. 
Their  propensity  for  marsh  birds  renders  them  very  ser- 
viceable to  the  rice  plantations  of  the  southern   states, 
over  which  they  frequently  hover,   and  thin  and  rout  the 
destructive   ranks  of  the  Rice   Buntings   while  feeding 
among  this  grain.     Instances  have  been  known  in  Eng- 
land, in  which  this  bird  has  carried   his  temerity  so  far 
as  to  pursue  the  same  game  with  the  armed  fowler,  and 
even  snatch  it  from  his  grasp,  after  calmly  waiting  for  it 
to  be  shot,   and   without  even   betraying  timidity  at  the 
report  of  the  gun.     The  nest  of  this  species   is  made  on 
the  ground,  in  swampy  woods,  or  among  rushes,  occa- 
sionally also  under  the  protection  of  rocky  precipices;  and 
is  formed  of  sticks,  reeds,  leaves,  straw,  and  similar  mate- 
rials heaped  together,  and  finished  with  a  lining  of  feath- 
ers, hair,  or  other  soft  substances.     The  eggs  are  4  or  5, 
of  a  dirty   bluish    white   and   without   spots.      In  the 
F.  cineraceus.   so  nearly  related  to  this  species,  the  eggs 
are  of  a  pure  white.     When  their  young  are  approached, 


vards  the  end,  — 
yellowish-brown 
mded  with  black 
lers,  barred  with 

1  and  temper- 
old  and  new 
Africa,  South 
inter  season  it 
s  Bay  to  the 
lenting  chiefly 
hich  it  sweeps 
ally  from  the 
s,  lizards,  and 
ilight,  as  well 
1  by  hunger,  it 

by  moonlight, 
them  very  ser- 
uthcrn  states, 
n  and  rout  the 
while  feeding 
;nown  in  Eng- 
teinerity  so  far 
ed  fowler,  and 

waiting  for  it 
timidity  at  the 
les  is  made  on 
;  rushes,  occa- 
irecipices ;  and 
d  similar  mate- 
lining  of  feath- 
ggs  are  4  or  5, 
ipots.  In  the 
ecies,  the  eggs 
re  approached, 


NOCTURNAL  niRDS  OP  PREY,  OR  OWLS. 


Ill 


the  parents,  hovering  round  the  intruder,  and  uttering  a 
sort  of  uncouth  syllable,  like  gcg  gig  gag,  or  gc  gc  in 
ge  gr,  seem  full  of  afright  and  anxiety.  The  Crows, 
however,  are  their  greatest  enemies,  and  they  often  suc- 
ceed in  demolishing  their  nests. 

Ill  the  old  iniile  the  ujiper  i)arta  nre  of  a  l>luish  grey.  The  quill- 
featliers  are  white  at  their  origin,  and  black  the  rest  oftlieir  length  , 
the  internal  part  of  the  base  of  the  wings,  rump,  belly,  sides,  thighs, 
abdomen,  and  beneatli  tlie  tail  is  white  and  witiiout  spots.  Upper 
part  of  file  tiiil  of  a  cinereous  grey,  witli  the  ends  of  the  feathers 
wliitish.  Iris  and  feet  yellow.  Tlie  length  !i(l  to  til  inches.  —  The 
old  female  is  dirty  brown  above,  with  the  feathers  of  the  liead,  neck, 
and  upper  part  of  the  back,  bordered  with  rusty.  Beneath  rusty- 
yellow,  with  large  longitudinal  brown  spots.  The  quills  banded 
exteriorly  with  dark  brown  and  black,  but  interiorly  with  white  and 
black.  Rump  white,  with  rusty  spots.  The  2  middle  tail  feathers 
banded  with  blackish,  and  very  dark  grey ;  the  lateral  feathert 
banded  with  yellowish  red,  and  blackish.  The  lengtli  1  or  2  inches 
greater  than  in  the  male  —  The  young  very  similar  to  the  adult 
female. 


S^SS'SS^JSS^SW^SS'IB 


NOCTURNAL  BIRDS  OF  PREY,  or  OWLS. 

These,  in  the  order  of  nature,  appear  to  occupy  among 
the  birds,  the  same  situation  as  the  Feline  tribe  among 
the  mammalia.  Like  cats,  which  they  cxteuially  resem- 
ble in  the  face,  many  of  them  are  only  able  to  hunt  their 
prey  in  the  evening  or  morning  twilight,  or  aided  by  the 
uncertain  light  of  the  moon.  There  are  a  few  of  the 
species  who  are  qualified  to  endure  the  light  of  day, 
pursuing  their  prey  on  the  wing,  or  laying  wait  for  it  in 
the  thickest  parts  of  the  forest ;  these  species  may  be 
known  by  the  absence  of  the  ear-like  tufts  of  feathers  on 
their  heads,  and  by  the  emarginated  tail,  which,  as  in 
most  of  the  Hawks,  extends  beyond  the  extremity  of  the 


« 


WuM 


112 


BIRDS    OF    PREY. 


wings.  In  the  other  species  (either  with  or  without  car- 
tufts,  and  witli  a  .short  and  rounded  tail  sehlom  extending 
beyond  the  wings,)  tlie  pupil  of  the  eye  is  so  large,  and 
admits  so  many  rays,  that  they  are  dazzled  by  the  light 
of  day,  and  endeavour,  like  cats,  to  obviate  this  defect 
by  contractin'i  the  pupil  into  a  narrower  circle  of  vision. 
In  consequence  of  this  peculiar  organization,  they  seek, 
in  the  day,  the  retirement  of  the  thickest  forest,  the  cran- 
nies of  the  desolate  ruin,  or  the  humble  and  more  natural 
retreat  of  a  hollow  and  decaying  tree.  At  times, 
routed  from  their  refuge,  or  suddenly  surprised  by  the 
approach  of  day,  they  may  i)c  seen  dozing  on  some 
exposed  branch  or  trunk  of  a  tree.  On  such  occasions, 
cries  and  insult  arc  poured  upon  the  nocturnal  depre- 
dator from  most  of  the  neighbouring  birds  who  make 
the  discovery,*  and  detest  the  feline  prowler  ;  the  Jay 
and  Titmouse,  themselves  plunderers,  are  often  the 
most  ready  to  assail  the  bewildered  Owl  with  scolding 
invective  ;  but  the  lesser  birds,  full  of  sympathy  for  their 
mates  and  young,  seem  only  employed  in  extenuating  the 
cry  of  alarm.  The  purblindness  of  these  nocturnal  birds 
arises  rather  from  the  delicacy  than  the  defect  of  the 
eye  ;  their  sense  of  hearing  and  its  apparatus  are  also  ex- 
quisite, perhaps  superior  to  that  of  any  other  animal,  and 
sufficient  probably  to  direct  them  to  the  slightest  motions 
of  their  skullcing  prey  ;  the  drum  of  the  ear  is  propor- 
tionally larger  than  in  the  quadrupeds,  and  the  ear  itself 
generally  provided  with  an  operculum  which  can  be  open- 
ed or  shut  at  pleasure.  The  almost  spectral  flight  of  the 
Owl  is  rendered  thus  inaudible  and  gliding  by  the  downy 
softness  of  his  feathers,  which  is  perhaps  assisted  by  the 
recurved  barbs  that  commonly   edge  the  exterior  of  the 

*  So  conttnnt  is  thiii  porseciition  of  tlio  Owl  by  a  varinty  of  birds,  that  advantage 
U  takou  of  tbeir  antipnthy,  and  miuiy  are  caught  by  liming  the  neighbouring  twigs. 


NOCTURNAL  BIRDS  OF  PREY,  OR  OWLS. 


113 


ivithout  car- 
n  extending 
}  large,  and 
by  the  light 
!  this  defect 
le  of  vision. 
,  they  seek, 
St,  the  cran- 
iiore  natural 

At  times, 
rised  by  the 
g  on  some 
li  occasions, 
urnal  depre- 

who  make 
r  ;  the  Jay 
often  the 
ith  scolding 
thy  for  their 
jiiuating  the 
;turnal  birds 
jfcct  of  the 

are  also  ex- 
animal,  and 
test  motions 
r  is  propor- 
:he  ear  itself 
:an  be  open- 
flight  of  the 
y  the  downy 
isted  by  the 
;erior  of  the 


3  or  4  first  quills.  Thus  provided,  like  the  insidious 
assassin,  with  a  noiseless  and  easy  approach,  sallying  out 
under  cover  of  the  approaching  shades  of  night,  sacred 
to  repose,  he  snatches  the  dormant  bird  from  its  perch, 
and  turns  the  music  of  the  grove  into  wailing  and 
silence,  consonant  with  his  own  malignant  destiny  and 
boding  cries.  Like  the  Hawks,  his  powerful  talons  are 
the  arms  with  wliich  he  makes  the  fatal  sweep  amongst 
his  prey  ;  it  is  only  when  greatly  pressed  by  hunger  that 
he  deigns  to  feed  on  dead  animals ;  and  his  drink  is 
rarely  ever  other  than  the  blood  of  his  victims,  and  their 
recent  juices.  The  bones,  hair,  feathers,  and  hard  parts, 
not  digestible  in  the  membraneous  stomach  with  which 
alone  he  is  provided,  are  brought  up,  and  ejected  by  the 
mouth,  in  the  form  of  pellets  or  little  balls.  In  anciently 
settled  countries,  frugal  of  labor,  they  content  themselves 
to  nest  in  old  towers  and  ruins,  sometimes  in  the  holes 
of  hollow  trees,  or  the  deserted  nests  of  other  large  birds  ; 
in  this  country,  decayed  trees,  as  well  as  the  fissures 
of  rocks,  and  retired  barns,  are  chosen  for  this  purpose  ; 
their  eggs  are  from  2  to  6.  Their  moult  takes  place 
only  once  in  the  year  ;  and  the  striking  disparities  of 
plumage  which  occur  among  the  Hawks,  is  generally 
unknown  among  the  Owls.  The  young,  however,  before 
their  first  moult,  have  usually  a  darker  face  than  the 
adult,  thus  appearing  as  it  were  masked  ;  but  after 
this  period  they  no  longer  differ  from  the  old.  The 
species  are  spread  all  over  the  northern  and  temperate 
parts  of  the  globe,  and  some  are  common  even  to  both 
hemispheres. 


10» 


Is,  that  adviinUga 
;bbouting  iwigi. 


¥!vwiiP»''mfswsmKH^ 


114 


BIRDS    OF    PHEY. 


OWLS.     (Strix.   Lin.) 


In  these  birds  the  Bii.t.  is  short,  compressed,  and  curved  from  its 
origin  ;  the  base  suriounded  by  a  cere,  and  covered  wholly  or  in  part 
by  bristly  feathers.  Head  large  and  very  much  feathered ;  the  face 
surrounded  by  a  sort  of  rigid  plumy  collar.  Nostiuls  lateral,  com- 
ing out  upon  the  anterior  edge  of  the  cere,  rounded,  open,  and  con- 
cealed by  the  incumbent  setaceous  feathers.  Eyes  very  large,  di- 
rected forwards ;  the  iris  brilliant.  Legs  and  feet  often  covered  with 
feathers  to  the  very  nails  ;  the  toes  entirely  divided  to  their  base  ; 
the  exterior  toe  capable  of  being  brought  round.  Nails  strong,  sharp, 
and  very  retractile  (so  as  to  secure  very  small  prey).  Wings  some- 
what pointed  ;  the  3  first  primaries  generally  provided  with  loose 
recurved  barbs  on  their  outer  edge  ;  tlie  first  primary  short ;  the  2d 
not  extending  to  the  extremity  of  the  3d,  which  is  the  longest. 

§  1.    With  the  bill  curved  from  the  base. 

Subgenus.  —  Surnia. 

With  the  opening  of  the  ears  oval,  of  moderate  size,  and  without 
operculum  or  cover  ;  the  disk  round  the  face  rather  small,  not  very 
distinct,  and  comiwsed  of  slender  feathers. 
allied  to  the  Hawks. 


These  are  somewhat 


t  Head  without  tufts  or  feathers. 
Feathered  to  the  claws  ;  outer  webs  of  the  primaries  not  recurved. 
With  the  tail  extending  beyond  the  wings.     The  North  American 
species  are  nearly  all  diurnal. 


urved  from  its 
lolly  or  in  part 
ered ;  the  face 
s  lateral,  coin- 
open,  and  con- 
very  large,  di- 
1  covered  with 
to  their  base  ; 
I  strong,  Hharp, 

Wings  some- 
led  with  loose 

short ;  the  2d 
longest. 


:ise. 


,  and  without 
nail,  not  very 
are  somewhat 


i  not  recurved, 
irth  American 


HAWK  OWL. 

{Strixfunerea,  Gm.     5.  hudsonia,  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  vi.  p.  04.  pi. 
oO.  fig.  G.  Philad.  Museum,  No.  500.) 

Spec.  CiiAnxcT. — Blackish-brown,  tliickly  spotted  with  white; 
beneatli  white,  barred  with  brown  ;  tail  wedge-shaped,  extending 
for  beyond  the  wings,  marked  with  several  narrow  whitish  bands; 
feet  thickly  feathered  :  the  bill  yellow.  —  fcmaZe,  with  the  tints 
less  clear,  and  of  a  httle  larger  size.  —  Young,  with  the  plumage 
of  a  rusty  brown. 

This  remarkable  species,  forming  a  connecting  link 
with  the  preceding  genus  of  the  Hawks,  is  nearly  confin- 
ed to  the  arctic  wilds  of  both  continents,   being  frequent 


116 


BIRDS    OP    PREY. 


in  Siberia  and  around  Hudson's  Bay.  A  few  etragglers, 
now  and  then,  at  distant  intervals,  and  in  the  depths  of 
winter,  penetrate  on  the  one  side  into  the  northern  parts 
of  the  United  States  ;  and,  on  the  other,  they  occasion- 
ally appear  in  Germany,  and  more  rarely  in  France.  At 
Hudson's  Bay  they  are  observed  flying  high,  and  preying 
on  the  White  Grous  and  other  birds,  sometimes  even  at- 
tending the  hunter  like  a  Falcon,  and  boldly  taking  up 
the  woundtd  game  as  it  flutters  on  the  ground.  They  are 
also  said  to  feed  on  mice  and  insects,  and  (according  to 
Meyer)  they  nest  upon  trees,  laying  2  white  eggs. 

The  length  of  the  nude  of  thii  species  is  about  15  inches.  The 
bill  yellow,  vnried  Willi  black  spots,  according  to  the  age,  and  almost 
liid  among  the  feathers.  The  iris  also  bright  yellow.  Cheeks 
white  ;  crown  and  hind-head  scattered  with  round  spots  of  dusky 
brown ;  a  black  band  commences  behind  the  eye,  extends  to  the  ori- 
fice of  the  ears,  and  terminates  angularly  on  the  sides  of  the  neck. 
The  upper  parts  variously  spotted  with  dark  brown  and  white. 
Throat  whitish ;  below,  white,  transversely  barred  with  greyish  brown. 
Tail  rounded,  near  7  inches  long,  extending  3  inches  beyond  the 
points  of  the  wings,  the  feathers  greyish-brown,  crossed  by  (i  or 
7  narrow  bars  of  whitish,  and  tipped  with  the  some.  Feet 
thickly  feathered  to  the  toes  ;  the  nails  horn-color. 


SNOWY  OWL. 

{Strixnyctea,  Lws.  Wilson,  iv.  p.  53.  pi.  32.  fig.  1.  [male].  Philad. 
Museum,  No.  458.) 

Spec.  Charact.— White,  more  or  less  spotted  and  barred  with 
dusky-brown  according  to  sex  and  age ;  tail  rounded,  reaching 
but  little  beyond  the  wings ;  feet  thickly  clothed  with  long  leath- 
ers ;  the  bill  black. 
This  very  large,  and  often  snow-white,  species  of  Owl 

is  almost  an  exclusive  inhabitant  of  the  arctic  regions  of 


Btragglcrs, 
le  depths  of 
'them  parts 
ijr  occasion- 
ranee.  At 
and  preying 
es  even  at- 
y  taking  up 
.  They  are 
ccording  to 

Eggs. 

inches.  The 
je,  and  almost 
How.  Cheeks 
ipotg  of  dusky 
inds  to  the  ori- 
s  of  the  neck. 
,'n  and  white, 
greyish  brown. 
BS  beyond  the 
rossed  by  (>  or 

some.      Feet 


[male].  Philad. 

id  barred  with 
ided,  reaching 
vith  long  feath- 

ecies  of  Owl 
,ic  regions  of 


SNOWY  OWL. 


117 


both  continent:  ;  being  common  in  Iceland,  the  Shcthand 
islands,  Kamtschutka,  Lapland,  and  Hudson's  Bay.  In 
these  dreary  wilds,  surrounded  by  an  almost  perpetual 
winter,  he  dwells,  breeds,  and  obtains  his  subsi^.tence. 
His  white  robe  renders  him  scarcely  discernible  from  the 
overwhelming  snows,  where  he  reigns,  like  the  boreal 
spirit  of  the  storm.  His  loud,  hollow,  barking  growl, 
'whnwh,  'whowh,  'wJiowh,  hah,  hah,  huh,  hah,*  and 
other  more  dismal  cries,  sound  like  the  unearthly  ban  of 
the  infernal  Cerberus ;  and  heard  amidst  a  region  of  cheer- 
less solitude,  his  lonely  and  terrific  voice  augments  rather 
than  relieves  the  horrors  of  the  scene. 

Clothed  with  a  dense  coating  of  feathers,  which  hide 
even  the  nostrils,  and  leave  only  the  talons  exposed,  he 
ventures  abroad  boldly  at  all  seasons,  and  like  the 
Hawks  seeks  his  prey  by  day-light  as  well  as  dark,  skim- 
ming aloft,  and  reconnoitring  his  prey,  which  is  com- 
monly the  White  Grous  or  some  other  birds  of  the  same 
genus,  as  well  as  hares.  On  these  he  darts  from  above, 
and  rapidly  seizes  them  in  his  resistless  talons.  At  times 
he  watches  for  fish,  and  condescends  also  to  prey  upon 
rats,  mice,  and  even  carrion. 

It  is  very  rare  that  this  species  leaves  its  dreary  do- 
main to  penetrate  even  into  the  north  of  Europe.  They 
appear  to  have  a  natural  aversion  to  settled  countries ;  for 
which  reason,  perhaps,  and  the  still  greater  severity  of 
the  climate  of  arctic  America,  they  are  frequently  known 
to  wander  in  the  winter  south  through  the  western  thinly 
settled  interior  of  the  United  States,  as  far  even  as  the 
the  confines  of  Florida.  They  migrate  probably  by  pairs; 
and,  according  to  Wilson,  two  of  these  birds  were  so 
stupid,  or  dazzled,  as  to   alight  on  the  roof  of  the  court- 

♦  Theso  Ittttet  tyllablod  with  th6  tuual  quivering  iound  of  tho  Owl. 


118 


ninns  op  puey. 


bouse  in  the  large  town  of  Cincinnati.  In  Soutli  Caro- 
lina, Dr.  Garden  saw  them  occasionally,  and  they  wore, 
in  this  mild  region,  observed  to  hide  themselves  during 
the  day  in  the  Palmetto  groves  of  the  sea-coast,  and  only 
sallied  out  towards  night  in  quest  of  their  prey.  Their 
habits,  therefore,  seem  to  vary  considerably  according  to 
circumstances  and  climate.  According  to  Temininck 
they  nest  among  the  steepest  rocks,  or  upon  the  old  pine 
trees  of  the  glacial  regions,  and  lay  2  eggs  of  a  pure 
white.  According  to  Vieillot,  they  are  spotted  with 
black,  but  these  were  probably  the  eggs  of  the  Great 
Grey  Owl  (S.  cincrea),  another  nocturnal  inhabitant  of 
Hudson's  Bay. 

The  length  of  the  female  of  this  species  is  2  feet  2  inches  or  up- 
wards (according  to  Wilson  the  male  is  only  224  inches),  and  4  feet 
C  inches  in  the  stretch  of  the  wings.  The  iris  bright  yellow.  The 
claws  black.  The  female  more  spotted  than  tlio  ninle  ;  the  latter  only 
becoming  wholly  white  by  age.  The  young,  a»  Ihey  issue  from  the 
nest,  are  covered  with  a  brown  down  ;  tlie  first  feathers  also  are  of 
a  pale  brown. 


BURROWING  OWL. 

(Stiix  cunicularia,  Molina.  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  G8.  pi.  7.  fig.  2. 

Philad.  Museum,  No.  472.) 
Spec  Charact.  —  Cinnamon-grey  spotted  with  whitish;  beneath 
whitish,  spotted  v  'th  cinnamon-brown  ;   tail  even,  reaching  but 
Uttle  beyond  the  w  aigs ;  feet  covered  with  short,  scattered  bris- 
tles. 

It  is  to  Mr.  Say  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  first  au- 
thentic materials  towards  establishing  the  character  of 
this  remarkable  species  of  Owl,  which  was  known  even 
to  Molina  as  a  resident  in  Chili,  and  by  Father  Feuillee 
as  indigenous  to  the  plains  of  Peru.  In  these  countries, 
as  well  as  in  St.  Domingo,  where  Vieillot  observed  it,  it 


SjS«IK8ffl' 


llUnUOWINO  OWL. 


119 


South  Coro- 
l  tlioy  were, 
3lvcs  (luring 
9t,  and  only 
rey.  Their 
iccording  to 

Toniuunck 
the  old  pine 

of  a  pure 
potted  with 
r  the  Great 
iihabitant  of 


inches  or  up- 
es),  and  4  feet 
yellow.  The 
the  latter  only 
issue  from  the 
ers  also  are  of 


18.  pi.  7.  fig.  a. 

litish;  beneath 
1,  reaching  but 
scattered  bris- 

the  first  au- 
character  of 
known  even 
ther  Feuillee 
se  countries, 
bserved  it,  it 


is  said  to  excavato  the  burrow  it  inhabits,  not  only  as  a 
nest,  but  as  a  retreat  and  place  of  refuge  in  the  bosom  of 
the  earth,  instead  of  the  hollow  of  a  tree  or  the  cranny 
of  u  ruin,  according  to  the  more  usual  habits  of  these 
nocturnal  wanderers ;  indeed,  this  species  appcirs  to  be 
nearly  as  diurnal  as  a  Hawk,  to  which  he  bears  no  bad 
resemblance  in  tlie  lightness  and  bareness  of  his  long 
legs,  and  the  projection  of  his  bill  from  an  unusually 
small  head.  With  these  indications  of  activity,  he  really 
enjoys  the  light  of  tlie  full  glare  of  day,  and  is  seen  at 
this  time  flying  about,  and  searching  for  his  exclusive 
food  of  hard-shelled  in.sects.  His  habits  on  the  plains,  at 
the  foot  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  where  the  specimen 
figured  in  tiio  splendid  work  of  Prince  Charles  Bona- 
parte, was  obtained  by  Mr.  Say,  are  somewhat  diflcrent 
in  circumstances,  from  th^  of  the  same  bird  in  Chili 
and  the  West  Indies ;  for,  like  almost  all  the  other 
smaller  Owls,  he  appears  to  shun  the  labor  of  forming  an 
independent  dwelling,  and  takes  up  his  abode  in  the  de- 
serted burrows  of  the  Prairie  Marmot,  in  consequence  of 
which  he  often  appears  singularly  and  aniical)ly  associ- 
ated with  this  little  barking  quadruped,  whose  note  even 
he  seems  to  have  acquired,  "  'tshch,  'tshc/t,  'ts/ich,  'tsheh," 
rather  than  the  more  natural  howling  of  his  frater- 
nity. Vieillot  attributes  to  him  the  usual  hoo,  hoo,  nd, 
o6,  00,  and  brings  him  round  the  farm-houses  of  St.  Do- 
mingo like  other  common  nocturnal  species  ;  but  these 
habits  would  much  belter  suit  the  Mottled  Owl  than  the 
present,  and  may  therefore  justly  be  doubted.  Like  the 
other  species  it  lays  2  white  and  round  eggs,  and  lines 
the  nest  with  moss  and  dry  grass.  The  burrowing  habit, 
constant  in  this  species,  seems  not  altogether  peculiar, 
as  the  Aluco  Owl,  according  to  Latham,  also  burrows 
sometimes  like  a  Rabbit. 


r'^l^i^t^:?^^"! 


130 


ninnH  up  niKV. 


The  Burrowing  Owl  i»  H*  iiiche«  long,  and  2  feet  in  extent.  Tli» 
bill  i»  yellowiHl.  horn  color.  IriU.  yellow.  The  hrennt  biuuled  with 
pale  brown.  Win^n  .Inrki-li,  iinuh  Hpotte.l  and  bunded  with  brown- 
»h  white.  The  i.rinmri.w  hnve  .-.  or  (i  bundn  ;  tl..'  M  feather  longest. 
Tail  -lightly  roun.led,  of  the  color  of  the  i.riumriex,  iiIho  :,  or  (!  band- 
ed Leg«  long  nnd  nlend-r  ;  the  f.-ot  dunky  ;  the  feuthern  townrdH 
the  tocH  degenerating  into  mere  hri.tle..  The  nailn  black  and  rather 
•null. 


AKWH 


1 1.   With  the  headfurnuhed  with  ear-like  tuflu  of  feathers.    (Prey- 
ing only  by  night.) 

MOTTLED  AM)  RED  OWL. 

(Strix  ash,  Lin.  Aii>i  nos.  pi.  !>/,  [a  very  natiirnl  and  benntiful 
group].  S.  luevia,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  1<>.  pi-  1^-  fig-  1-  [adult]  and 
Red  Owl.  S.  a$io,  id.  v.  p.  Kl.  pi.  4•^  fig.  1.  [young].  Thilad. 
Museum,  No.  444,  and  428.) 


•-ismm 


wmmm^^ 


extent.  Tlie 
il  banilfd  with 
J  with  brown- 
■athfr  longest. 
«i  r>  or  (i  bnnd- 
itherH  towariln 
itck  and  ratlier 


others.    (Prey- 


I  and  beoutiful 
r.  1.  [adult]  and 
oungj.     Pliilad. 


MOTTLKD  ANH  RRl>  "Wl 


131 


SfEc.CHAiiiCT.— Dark  brown,  innlining  to  ferruginoui  and  aeh, 
mottled  with  black  ;  wings  spotted  with  white ;  beneath  whitish, 
spotted  with  black  and  bmwn  ;  the  tail  even,  reaching  to  the  tip 
of  the  wings  ;  feel  covered  with  short  feathers  nearly  to  the 
claws.— Founx,  tawny  red,  with  narrow  dark  HiM)ts  along  the 
■hafts  of  the  feathers.  -The  cutuU,  covered  with  transverse,  mi- 
r^ute,  ligzag  lines  and  jiuints. 

TiiiH  common,  stunll,  and   handsome  species,  known 
as  the  Littlr  Smnh-Owl,  is  probably  resident  in  every 
part  of  the   United   States,   and,   in  fact,  inliabits  from 
Greenland   to  Florida.     They  appear  more  abundant  in 
autumn  and  winter,  as  at  those  seasons,  their  food  failing, 
they  are  obliged   to   approach   habitations  and  burns,  in 
which  the  mice  they  chiefly  prey  on  now  a8s«^>lc  ;  they 
also  lay  wait  for  small  birds,  and    feed  on  beetles,  crick- 
ets, and  other  insects.  Their  nest  is  usually  in  the  lioilow 
of  an  old  orchard  tree,    about  the  months  of   May   or 
June;  it  is  lined  carelessly  with  a  little  hay,  leaves,  and 
feathers,    and   the  eggs   are  commonly   4   to  0,   white, 
and  nearly  round.     Aldrovandus  remarks,  that  the  Great 
Horned  Owl  provides  so  plentifully  for  its  young,  that  a 
person  might  obtain  some  dainties  from  the  nest,  and  yet 
leave  a  sufficienr.y  for  the  owlets  besides  ;    the  same  re- 
mark may  also  apply  to   this  species,   as  in   the   ludlow 
stumpof  an  apple  tree,  which  contained  a  brood  of  these 
young  Owls,   were  found  several  Bluebirds,  Blackbirds, 
and  Song-Sparrows,  intended  as  a  supply  of  food. 

During  the  day  they  either  retire  into  hollow  trees  and 
unfrequented  barns,  or  hide  in  the  thickest  evergreens. 
At  times  they  are  seen  abroad  by  day,  and  in  cloudy 
weather  they  wake  up  from  their  diurnal  slumbers  a  con- 
siderable time  before  dark.  In  the  day  they  are  always 
drowsy,  or,  as  if  dozing,  closing,  or  scarcely  half  opening 
their  heavy  eyes  ;  presenting  the  very  picture  of  sloth 
and  nightly  dissipation.  When  perceived  by  the  smaller 
11 


tfitSI^S^SK^S'^' 


199 


BIHUH    Of    rnEY. 


birds,  thoy  arc  at  once  rocngniHcd  as  their  insidious  eiie* 
mics  ;  and  tlio  rareness  of  their  appearance,  hnl'ore  the  usu- 
al roosting-time  of  other  hirdH,  augments  the  suspicion  they 
entertain  of  these  feline  hunters.  From  complaints  and 
cries  of  alarm,  the  thrush*  sometimes  threatens  blows  ; 
and  though  evening  has  perhaps  set  in,  the  smaller  birds 
and  cackling  Robins  re-echo  their  shrill  chirpings  and 
coinplaintH  throughout  an  extensive  wood,  until  the  noc- 
turnal monster  has  to  seek  safety  in  a  distant  flight. 
Their  notes  arc  most  frequent  in  the  latter  end  of  sum- 
mer and  autumn,  crying  in  a  sort  of  wailing  quiver,  not 
very  uuukc  the  whining  of  a  Jiuppy  dog,  ho,  hd  hd  h6  hd 
kd  hd,  proceeding  from  high  and  clear  to  a  low  guttural 
shake  or  trill ;  these  notes,  at  little  intervals,  arc  answer- 
ed by  some  companion,  and  appear  to  be  chiefly  a  call  of 
recognition  from  young  of  the  same  brood,  or  pairs  who 
wish  to  discover  each  other  after  having  been  separated 
while  dozing  in  the  day.  On  moonlight  evenings  this 
slender  wailing  is  kept  up  rf^arly  until  midnight. 

I  have  had  an  opportunity  of  verifying  all  that  Wilson 
relates  of  the  manners  of  this  species  in  a  Red,  or  young 
Owl,  taken  out  of  a  hollow  apple  tree,  which  I  kept  for 
some  months.  A  dark  closet  was  his  favorite  retreat 
during  the  day.  In  the  evening  he  became  very  lively 
and  restless,  gliding  across  the  room  in  which  he  was 
confined,  with  a  side-long,  noiseless  flight,  as  if  wafted  by 
the  air  alone ;  at  times  he  clung  to  the  wainscot,  and, 
unable  to  turn,  he  brought  his  head  round  to  his  back, 
so  as  to  present,  by  the  aid  of  his  brilliant  eyes,  a  most 
spectral  and  unearthly  appearance.  As  the  eyes  of  all 
the  Owls,  according  to  Wilson,  are  fixed  immovably  in 
the  socket  by  means  of  a  many-cleft  capsular  ligament, 
this  provision  for  the   free   versatile   motion  of  the  head 

*  At  loMt  WiUon'*  Thrtuh,  which  I  have  obiarved  in  the  act. 


itiidious  ene- 
tore  the  iisu- 
iitpicion  they 
nplaintH  and 
itciis  blows  ; 
unallcr  birds 
liirpings  and 
iitil  the  noc- 
Mtiuit    flight. 

end  of  sum- 
^  quiver,  not 

hd  hd  hd  h6 
low  guttural 

arc  nnswer- 
icrty  a  call  of 
or  pairs  who 
n  separated 
venings  this 
ight. 

that  Wilson 
ed,  or  young 
:h  I  kept  for 
orite  retreat 
3  very  lively 
lich   he  was 

if  wafted  by 
linscot,  and, 

to  his  back, 
syes,  a  most 
e  eyes  of  all 
mmovably  in 
lar  ligament, 
of  the  head 

the  act. 


MOTTLED   AM)  RED  OWL 


VIA 


appears  necessary.  WIh'u  «|iproachc<l  towards  evening, 
he  appeared  «trongiy  engaged  in  reconnoitring  the  ob- 
ject, blowing  with  a  hissing  noiae  {shay,  »haij,  aha;/), 
common  to  other  species,  and  stretcning  out  his  neck 
with  a  waving,  lateral  motion,  in  a  threatening  attitude, 
and,  on  a  nearer  approach,  made  a  Hnapi)ing  with  the  bill, 
produced  by  striking  together  l)oth  mandibles,  as  they  are 
equally  movable,  lie  wa.s  a  very  expert  mouse-catcher, 
swallowed  his  prey  whole,  and  then,  after  some  time, 
ejected  from  the  bill,  the  bones,  skin,  and  hair,  in  pel- 
lets. Ho  also  devoured  large  Hies,  which  at  this  time 
came  into  the  room  in  great  numbers,  and  even  the  <lry 
parts  of  these  were  also  ejected  from  the  stomach  with- 
out digestion.  He  never  showed  any  inclination  whatever 
to  drink. 

The  female  Mottled  Owl,  or  old  bird,  is  10  to  It  inches  long,  nnd 
22  or  more  in  extent.  The  upper  parts  are  dark  brown,  Blmded  with 
paler,  and  thickly  lined  and  spotted  with  zigzag  points  of  black  and 
ash.  Tho  wings  ligliter,  and  spotted  with  wiiite.  Tail  moUled  with 
black,  brown,  and  whitish  on  a  dark  ground ;  beneath,  grey.  Horns 
or  auricular  tutYs,  prominent,  each  composed  of  10  graduated  feath- 
ers. Face  whitiBii,'with  small  dusky  spots,  and  bounded  on  either 
aide  by  a  black  circle.  Breast  and  belly  whitish,  variegated  with 
broad  lines  and  zigzag  bars  of  black,  with  blended  touches  of  brown. 
The  legs  feathered  nearly  to  the  claws,  with  hairy  down  of  a  pale 
brown.  Vent  and  under  tail  coverts  nearly  white,  the  latter  faintly 
marked  with  brown.  Iris  brilliant  yellow.  The  bill  and  claws  grey- 
ish horn  color.  The  male  is  smaller  and  darker,  and  the  while  on 
the  wing-coverts  less  pure. 


124 


BIRDS    OF    PREY. 


Subgenus.  —  Bino. 

Conch  of  the  ear  moderate,  oval,  witli  a  membranous  cover.  Feet 
thickly  covered  to  the  claws  with  short  feathers.  The  disk  or  rim 
of  featliers  round  the  face  not  very  distinct. 

t   With  the  head  furnished  with  ear-like  tufts. 


GREAT  HORNED  OWL,  or  CAT  OWL. 

(Strix  virginiana,  Gm.  Wilson,  vi.  p,  52.  pi.  50.  fig.  1,  AoDUBOlf, 
pi.  Ul,  [unusually  dark  and  large].  Phikd.  Museum,  No.  410.) 

Spec.  Charact.  —  Mottled;  primaries  and  tail  feathers  banded  with 
black  and  dusky ;  shell  of  the  ear  moderate  ;  wings  not  extend- 
ing to  the  tip  of  the  tail ;  a  very  large  species. 

This  species,  so  nearly  related  to  the  Great  Eared 
Owl  of  Europe,  is  met  with  occasionally  from  Hudson's 
Bay  to  Florida,  and  exists  even  beyond  the  tropics,  being 
very  probably  the  same  bird  described  by  Marcgrave  as 
inhabiting  the  forests  of  Brazil.  All  climates  are  alike 
to  this  Eagle  of  the  night,  the  king  of  the  nocturnal  tribe 


5UB  cover.    Feet 
The  disk  or  rim 


tufts. 


'  OWL. 

g.  1.   Audubon, 
urn,  No.  410.) 

lers  banded  witli 
ings  not  extend- 

Great  Eared 
•om  Hudson's 
tropics,  being 
Marcgrave  as 
ates  are  alike 
jcturnal  tribe 


GREAT  HORNED  OWL,  OR  CAT  OWL. 


125 


of  American  birds.     The   aboriginal   inhabitants  of  the 
country  dread  his  boding  howl,  dedicating  his  effigies  to 
their  solemnities,  and,  as  if  he  were  their  sacred  bird  of 
Minerva,  forbid  the  mockery  of  his  ominous,  dismal,  and 
almost  supernatural  cries.  His  favorite  resort,  in  the  dark 
and  impenetrable  swampy   forests,  where  he  dwells  in 
chosen  solitude  secure  from  the  approach  of  every  eneiny, 
agrees  with  the  melancholy  and  sinister  traits  of  his  char- 
acter. To  the  surrounding  feathered  race  he  is  the  Pluto 
of  the  gloomy  wilderness,  and  would  scarcely   be  Iftiown 
out  of  the  dismal  shades  where  he  hides,  but  to  his  victims, 
were  be  as  silent  as  he  is  solitary.  Among  the  choaking, 
loud,  guttural  sounds   which  he  sometimes  utters,  in  the 
dead  of  night,   and  with   a   suddenness   which  always 
alarms,  because  of  his  noiseless  approach,  is  the   'waugh 
h6  !  'waugh  ho  !    which,  Wilson  remarks,  was  often  ut- 
tered at  the  instant  of  sweeping  down    around  his  camp 
fire.     Many  kinds  of  owls  are  similarly  dazzled   and  at- 
tracted by  fire-lights,  and  occasionally  finding,  no  doubt, 
some  offal  or  flesh,  thrown  out   by  those   who  encamp  in 
the  wilderness,  they   come  round   the   noctu-nal   blaze 
with  other  motives  than  barely  those  of  curiosity.     The 
solitary  travellers  in  these  wilds,  apparently  scanning  the 
sinister   motive  of  his  visits,  pretend  to  interpret  his  ad- 
dress into    "'Who    'cooks  for   you  all!"    and  with  a 
strong  guttural  pronunciation  of  the  final  syllable,  to  all 
those  who  have  heard  this   his   common  cry,   the  resem- 
blance of  sound   is   well    hit,  and    instantly   recalls  the 
ghastly  serenade  of  his  nocturnal  majesty   in  a  manner 
which  is  not  easily  forgotten.    The  shorter  cry,  which  we 
have  mentioned,  makes  no  inconsiderable  approach  to  that 
uttered  by  the  European  brother  of  our  species,  as  given 
by  Buffon,  namely,   'hc-hoo,  'hoo-hoo,  hoo-hoo,  &c.     The 
Greeks  called  this   transatlantic   species   Byas,   either 
11* 


:     j;. 

'■i"i 

H 

■ 

n 

1 

n 

\ 

pi 

1 

I- 

T 

12G 


BIRDS    OF    I'llEV. 


from  its  note,  or  from  the  resemblance  this  bore  to  the  bel- 
lowing of  the  ox.  The  Latin  name  Bubo  has  also  reference 
to  the  same  note  of  this  nocturnal  bird.     According  to 
Frisch,  who  kept  one  of  these  birds  alive,  its  cries  varied 
according  to  circumstances  ;  when  hungry  it  had  a  muling 
cry  like  Fuhii.     I  have   remarked   the  young,  probably, 
of  our  species  utter  the  same  low,  quailing  cry,  while  yet 
day-light,  as  it  sat  on  the  low  branch  of  a  tree  ;  the  sound 
of  both  is,  at   times,  also   not   unlike   that   made  by  the 
Hawfs  or  diurnal  birds  of  prey.     Indeed,   in   gloomy 
weather,   J   have  seen  our   species  on   the  alert,  flying 
about  many  hours  before   dark,   and   uttering  his  call  of 
'ko  ko,  ko  ko  ho.      Their   usual  prey   is   young  rabbits, 
squirrels,  rats,  mice,  quails,   and   small  birds  of  various 
kinds  ;  and  when  these  resources  fail   or  diminish,  they 
occasionally  prowl  pretty  boldly   around  the  farm-yard  in 
quest  of  ciiickens,  which  they  seize  on  the  roost.  Indeed 
the  European  Horned  Owl  frequently  contends  with  the 
Buzzard    for    his   prey,    and   generally    comes  off  con- 
queror ;    blind  and  infuriate  with  hunger,   one  of  these 
has  been  known  to  dart  even  upon  a  man,  as  if  for  con- 
flict, and  was  killed   in   ths  encounter.*     My  friend  Dr. 
Boykin,of  Milledgeville,  in  Georgia,  assured  me  that  one 
of  our  own  daring  nocturnal  adventurers,  prowling  round 
his  premises,  saw  a  cat  dczing  on  the  roof  of  a  smoke- 
house, and  supposing  grimalkin  a  more   harmless,  rabbit- 
like animal  than  appeared  in  the  sequel,  blindly  snatched 
her  up  in  his  talons  ;  but  finding  he  had  caught  a  Tartar, 
it  was  not  long  before   he   allowed  puss  once  more  to 
tread  the  ground.     In  England  the  same  error  was  com- 
mitted by  an  Eagle,   who,  after  a  severe  conflict  with  a 
cat  he  had  carried  into  the  air,  was  at  length  brought  to 


.   This  circumBlance  hupiwncJ  to  a  relative  of  the  author',  io  LancJiiro,  in 
whoiO  j)08scB8ion  ho  saw  the  moiiiiteil  spociiiicn  of  thu  bird. 


;  to  tlie  bel- 
io  reference 
ccording  to 
cries  varied 
ad  a  muling 
g,  probably, 
y,  while  yet 
;  the  sound 
[lade  by  the 

in  gloorny 
alert,  flying 
g  his  call  of 
mg  rabbits, 
8  of  various 
niinish,  they 
farm-yard  in 
)ost.  Indeed 
ds  with  the 
nes  off  con- 
one  of  these 
8  if  for  con- 
[y  friend  Dr. 

me  that  one 
^wling  round 
of  a  smoke- 
nless,  rabbit- 
idly  snatched 
ght  a  Tartar, 
ince  more  to 
ror  was  com- 
onflict  with  a 
th  brought  to 


in  Lanoaibiie,  in 


I 


GREAT  HORNED  OWL,  OR  CAT  OWL. 


127 


the  ground  before  he  could   disengage  himself  from  the 

feline  grasp.* 

An  Owl  of  this  species,  which  I  have  observed  in  a 
cage,  appeared  very  brisk  late  in  the  morning,  hissed 
and  blew  when  approached  with  a  stick,  and  dashed  at 
it  very  iiccdlessly  with  hia  bill ;  he  now  and  then  uttered 
a  'ko-koh,  and  was  pretty  loud  in  his  call  at  an  earlier 
hour.  When  approached,  he  circularly  contracted  the 
iris  of  the  eyes  to  obtain  a  clearer  view  of  the  threatened 
object ;  he  also  listened  with  great  quickness  to  any 
sound  which  occurred  near  his  prison,  and  eyed  the 
flying  pigeons,  which  passed  by  at  some  distance,  with  a 
scrutinizing  and  eager  glance.  When  fed,  he  often  had 
the  habit  of  hiding  away  his  superfluous  provision. 

As  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  observe  the  retiring  man- 
ners  of  this  recluse,  he  -elumbcrs  out  the  day  chiefly  in 
the  dark  tops  of  lofty  trees.  In  these,  according  to 
Wilson,  he  generally  begins  to  build  in  the  month  of 
May,  though  probably  earlier  in  the  Southern  States. 
The  nest  is  usually  placed  in  the  fork  of  a  tree,  made  of 
a  considerable  pile  of  sticks,  and  lined  with  dry  leaves 
and  some  feathers ;  and,  as  a  saving  of  labor,  sometimes 
they  select  a  hollow  tree  for  the  purpose.  The  eggs  are 
said  to  be  4,  round,  of  nearly  the  size  of  those  of  a  com- 
mon hen  and  equally  white  ;  those  of  the  Bubo,  often  de- 
posited in  the  crannies  of  ruins,  or  holes  of  rocks,  only 
2  and  rarely  3,  exceed  in  size  the  egg  of  the  domestic 
fowl,  and  are  also  of  the  same  color. 

The  male  of  this  species  is  about  20  inches  in  lengtli.  The  bill  is 
black.  The  irids  bright  yellow.  The  horns  are  broad,  and  3  inches 
in  length,  formed  of  12  or  14  feathers,  with  black  webs  and  edged 
with  brownish  yellow ;  the  face  ferruginous,  bounded  by  a  band  of 
black  ;  a  whitish  space  between  the  bill  and  eyes.    Beneath,  marked 


•  A  Mr.  Bnrlow,  'vlio  »aw  this  encounter,   publiihod  a  drawing  of  tiie  action  na  he 
had  witnessed  it. 


198 


BIRDS    OF    PREY. 


with  numeroTis  transvorse  dusky  bars  on  a  yellow  anu  white  ground ; 
the  vent  paler.  The  feet  covered  witli  hair-like  pale  brown  feath- 
ers. ClawH  black.  Tail  rounded,  and  broad,  passing  an  inch  be- 
yond the  wings,  mottled  with  brown  and  tawny,  and  crossed  with 
C  or  7  narrow  bars  of  l)rown.  Above,  whitish  and  ferruginous, 
thickly  mottled  with  dusky.  Chin  whitish,  beneath  a  band  of  brown, 
and  then  another  narrow  one  of  white.  —  The  Female  is  about  8  feet, 
with  tlie  white  on  tiie  tliroat  less  pure,  and  ia  also  less  ferruginous 
below. 


1 1.  TVith  the  head  not  tvfted ;  —  and  the  disk  of  feathers  round  the 
face  distinctly  developed. 

GREAT  GREY  or  CINEREOUS  OWL. 

{Strix  cinerea,  Gm.  Penwant.  vol.  i.  p.  2(>8.  No.  120.  Bonat.  Am. 
Orn.    ...    pi.  33.  fig.  2.     S.  lapponiea,  Tem.) 

Spec.  Ciiaract.  —  Dark  umber-brown  mottled  with  whitish  ;  the 
fcce  cinereous,  with  narrow  black  concentric  circles ;  the  tail 
extending  beyond  tli?  wings,  both  of  which  are  banded,  and  the 
bands  mottled  ;  bill  yellowish-white  ;  the  irids  yellow  ;  feet  and 
legs  grey  and  unspotted. 

This  is  the  largest  American  species  known,  and, 
if  the  8.  lapponiea,  common  also  to  the  arctic  circle, 
and  seldom  leaving  it ;  being  only  accidental  about  Lake 
Superior,  and  occasionally  seen  in  Massachusetts  in  the 
depth  of  severe  winters.  One  was  caught  perched  on  a 
wood-pile,  in  a  state  of  listless  inactivity,  in  the  morning 
after  day-light,  at  Marblehead,  in  February,  1831.  This 
individual  survived  for  several  months,  and  showed  a 
great  partiality  for  fish  and  birds.  At  times  he  uttered  a 
tremulous  cry  or  ho  ho  ho  ho  hoo,  not  very  dissimilar 
to  that  of  the  Mottled  Owl.  Ai  Hudson's  Bay  and  Lab- 
rador it  resides  the  whole  year.  They  associate  in 
pairs  ;  fly  very  low,  end  feed  on  mice  and  hares,  which 
they  seize  with  such  muscular  vigor  as  sometimes  to 
sink  into  the  snow   after  them  a  foot  deep.     With  ease 


white  ground ; 
!  brown  ft>ath- 
ig  an  inch  be- 
1  crossed  with 
id  ferruginous, 
band  of  brown, 
is  about  2  feet, 
!S8  ferruginous 


hers  round  the 

)WL. 

0.  BoNAp.  Am. 

EM.) 

whitish  ;  the 
•cles ;  the  tail 
mded,  and  the 
How ;  feet  and 

;nown,  and, 
rctio   circle, 

about  Lake 
usetts  in  the 
erched  on  a 
the  morning 
1831.  This 
d  showed  a 
he  uttered  a 
y  dissimilar 
ay  and  Lab- 
associate  in 
lares,  which 
tmetimes   to 

With  ease 


OREAT  r.REY  OR  CINEREOl  S  OWI,. 


190 


it  is  able  to  carry  off  the  alpine  hare  alive  in  its  tal- 
ons. In  Europe,  the  species  appears  wlioliy  confined  to 
the  desert  regions  of  Lapland  ;  two  or  three  stragglers 
being  all  that  iiave  been  obtained  out  of  that  country  by 
naturalists.  Pennant  adds,  tliat  ii  constructs  its  nest  in 
a  pine  tree  about  the  middle  of  May,  with  a  few  sticks, 
and  lines  it  with  feathers ;  the  eggs  are  2,  and  spotted 
with  a  darkish  color.  The  young  take  to  wing  about  the 
close  of  July. 

The  male  of  this  species  is  9  feet  one  or  two  inches  in  length,  in 
alar  extent  4,  and  weiglis  about  3  pounds.  The  irids  are  yellow. 
Bill  pale  yellow,  almost  hid  in  the  feathers  of  tlie  face.  From  the 
breast  to  tlie  vent  there  is  said  to  be  a  space  about  an  inch  in 
breadth  bare  of  feathers  (whether  this  is  constant  or  accidental  we 
httvc*  yet  to  learn).  Disks  of  the  face  darlt  grey,  edged  with  black, 
and  about  9  in  number.  Feathers  round  the  inner  angle  of  the  eye 
and  bill  black.  A  whitish  space  immediately  under  the  cliin,  border- 
ed below  by  dusky  feathers.  Head,  hind  part  of  the  neck,  back,  and 
coverts  of  the  wings,  brownish  sooty  black,  mottled  or  curdled  with 
dirty  wliite.  The  primaries  dusky,  inclining  to  white  on  tiieir  edges, 
with  broad  bars,  composed  of  dusky  and  pale  cinereous  stripes ;  each 
pale  bar,  being  '.ordered  on  eitiier  side  with  a  dusky  one.  Tail 
wedge-formed,  extending  nearly  3  inches  beyond  the  points  of  tlie 
closed  wings,  irregularly  marked  with  oblique  or  zigzag  strokes  of 
brown  and  muddy  white,  and  barred  in  the  manner  of  the  wings  with 
5  or  0  pale  stripes ;  the  middle  feather  without  bars  and  covered 
with  zigzags.  The  breast,  belly,  and  rump  cinereous  white,  cover- 
ed with  large  oblong,  partly  arrow-shaped,  blotches  of  pale  dusky 
brown,  becoming  narrower  and  longitudinal  towards  the  vent.  The 
legs  feathered  to  the  feet,  dark  cinereous,  and  without  either  the 
spots  or  bars  (said  to  exist  in  S.  Icpponica).  Claws  black  and  mod- 
erate.—  The  female  has  probably  (as  described  by  Bonaparte)  the 
face  whitish,  with  black  circlets. 


Subgenus.  —  Ulula. 


The  shell  of  the  ear  very  large,  extending  semicircularly  from  the 
bill  to  the  top  of  the  head,  closed  with  a  membranaceous  operculum  j 


i 


J 


130 


niRDS    OF    PREY. 


and  with  the  disk  of  slender  feathers  round  the  fiice  well  mnrked 
and  complete.  The  feet  thickly  covered  to  the  claws  with  short 
feathers.     (The  habiU  chiefly  nocturnal.) 


t   IVith  the  head  tufted  with  ear-like  appendages. 
LONG-EARED  OWL. 

(Strix  otua,  Lin.  Wilson,  vi.  p.  73.  pi.  51.  fig.  3.  Philad.  Museum, 

No.  4:M.) 
Spec.   Ciiabact.  — Mottled  ;    primaries  Imnded   with  ferruginous  ; 

ear-tufts,  long,  of  about  U  feathers;  wings  extending  to  the  tip  of 

the  tail. 

This  species,  like  several  others  of  the  genus,  appears  , 
to  be  almost  a  denizen  of  the  world,  being  found  from 
lIudson',s  Bay  to  the  West  Indies,  throughout  Europe, 
in  Africa,  northern  Asia,  and  pro))P-biy  China,  in  all 
which  countries  it  appears  to  be  resident ;  but  seems 
more  abundant  in  certain  places  in  winter,  following  rats 
and  mice  to  their  retreats  in  or  near  houses  and  barns. 
They  commonly  lodge  in  ruined  buildings,  the  caverns 
of  rocks,  or  in  hollow  trees.  It  defends  itself  with  great 
spirit  t'rom  the  attacks  of  larger  birds,  making  a  ready 
use  of  its  bill  and  talons,  and  when  wounded  is  danger- 
ous and  resoliite. 

The  Long-Eared  Owl  seldom,  if  ever,  takes  the  trou- 
ble to  construct  a  nest  of  its  own  ;  it  serks  shelter  amidst 
ruins,  and  in  the  accidental  hollows  of  trees,  and  rests 
content  with  the  dilapidated  nursery  of  the  Crow,  the 
Magpye,  that  of  the  Wild  Pigeon,  of  the  Buzzard,  or 
even  the  tufted  retreat  of  the  squirrel.  True  to  these 
habits,  Wilson  found  one  of  these  Owls  sitting  on  her 
eggs  in  the  deserted  nest  of  the  Qua-bird,  on  the  25th  of 
April,  near  Philadelphia,  in  the  midst  of  the  gloomy  en- 
awamped  forest  which  formed  the  usual  resort  of  these 
solitary  Herons.     So  well  satisfied  was  she  in  fact  with 


'   well  mnrked 
W8  with  sliort 


age». 


lilad.  Museum, 

h  ferruginous  ; 
iig  to  the  tip  of 

nus,  appears 
found  from 
lout  Europe, 
'liina,  in  all 
;  but  seems 
bllowing  rats 
8  and  barns, 
the  caverns 
If  with  great 
king  a  ready 
ed  is  dangcr- 

kes  the  trou- 
helter  amidst 
>s,  and  rests 
le  Crow,  the 
Buzzard,  or 
'rue  to  these 
sitting  on  her 
)n  the  25th  of 
le  gloomy  en- 
esort  of  these 
5  in  fact  with 


LONG-EAHED  OWL. 


131 


her  company,  and  .so  peaceable,  that  one  of  the  Quas 
had  a  nest  in  the  same  tree  with  the  Owl.  The  eggs 
are  4  or  .'?,  white  and  round  at  both  ends.  The  young, 
until  nearly  fully  grown,  are  greyish  white,  and  roost 
close  together  on  a  large  branch,  during  the  day,  shelter- 
ed and  hid  amidst  the  thickest  foliage  ;  they  acquire 
their  natural  color  in  almut  15  days.  Besides  mice  and 
rats,  this  species  also  preys  on  field-mice,  moles,  and 
beetles.  The  plaintive  cry,  or  hollow  moaning  made  by 
this  bird,  "  clow  cloud,"  incessantly  repeated  during  the 
night,  so  as  to  be  troublesome  where  they  frequent,  is 
very  attractive  to  the  larger  birds,  who,  out  of  curiosity, 
and  for  persecution,  assemble  round  this  species  when 
employed  as  a  decoy,  and  are  thus  shot,  or  caught  by 
limed  twigs. 

Tlie  lengtli  of  this  species  is  about  14  inches.  The  tufts  or  ear- 
like feathers  from  C  to  10,  black,  edged  with  oclireous  and  whitish. 
Irids  bright  yellow.  Above,  the  plumage  is  ferruginous  yellow,  irreg- 
ularly spotted  with  dark  brown  and  light  grey.  Below,  of  a  pale 
ochre  yellow,  with  oblong  spots  of  blackish  brown.  Bill  black.  The 
female  has  the  throat  and  face  white  ;  the  latter  marked  at  the  sides 
with  brown  spots.  All  the  plumage  is  also  more  tinged  with  grey- 
ish  white.  The  young  before  moulting  are  of  a  ferruginous  white 
marked  with  transverse  blackish  lines.  The  tail  and  the  wings 
grey,  with  numerous  brown  points ;  and  with  7  or  8  transverse  dark 
brown  bands.  The  whole  face  of  a  blackish  brown.  The  iris  paler, 
and  tlie  cere  inclining  to  olive. 


if' 


132 


ninns  of  prev. 


SIIORT-EARED  OWL. 

{Strix  braehyotoB,  Latham.  Wilsoh,  iv.  p.  (-1.  |.l.  33.  fig.  3.  [mole.] 

Philad.  Museum,  No.  440.) 
Sp«c.  Charact.- Ear-like  tuflf.  incon^picuouH,  of -.i  or  3  very  short 
feathers;  general  color  ochreous,  spotted  with  black.sh-brown  ; 
face  round  the  eyes  blackish ;  tail,  with  about.',  bands,  not  ex- 
tending beyond  the  tips  of  the  wings.  -  Female  with  the  gen- 
eral tints  paler.     In  the  younif  the  face  is  blackish. 
This  is  another  of  those   nocturnal   wanderers  which 
now  and  then  arrive   amongst   us   fror.i   the  northern  re- 
gions where   alone  they  breed.     It  comes  to  Hudson  s 
Bay  from  the  south   about  May ;    where  it  makes  a  nest 
of  dry  grass  on  the  ground,   and,   as   usual,   has  white 
eggs.     After  rearing  its  brood  it  departs  for  the  south  m 
September,  and  iu  its   mij,'rations  has  been   met  with  as 
far  as  New  Jersey,  near   Philadelphia,  where,  accordmg 
to  Wilson,  it  arrives  in  November,  and  departs  in  April. 
Pennant  remarks,  that  it  has  been  met  with  in  the  south- 
em  continent  of  America  at  the  Falkland  islands.     It  is 
likewise  spread  through  every   part  of  Europe,  and   is 
common  in  all  the   forests  of  Siberia ;    it    also  visits  the 
Orkney  islands,  and    Iceland.     In   England   it  appears 
and  disappears   with   the   migrations  of  the   Woodcock. 
Its  food  is  almost  exclusively  mice,  for  which  it  watches, 
seated  on  a  stump,  with  all  the  vigilance  of  a  cat,  listen- 
ing attentively  to  the  low  squeak  of  its  prey,  to  which  it 
is  so  much  alive  as  to  be  sometimes  brought  in  sigiit  by 
imitating  the  sound.     They  are  readily  attracted  by  the 
blaze  of  nocturnal  fires,  and  on  such  occasions  have  some- 
times had  the  blind  temerity  to  attack  men,  and  come  so 
close  to  combat,  as  to  be  knocked  down  with  sticks.  When 
wounded,  they  also  display  the  same  courageous  ferocity, 
80  as  to  be  dangerous  to  approach.     In  dark  and  cloudy 
weather  it  sometimes  ventures  abroad  by  day-light,  takes 


IIARREU  OWL. 


1»3 


\g.  3.  [male.] 

r  3  very  short 
ckiHli-Urown ; 
iikIh,  not  ex- 
alli  the  gen- 

irers  which 
lorthcrn  rc- 
o  Hudson's 
lakes  a  nest 
,   has  white 
the  south  in 
met  with  as 
e,  according 
rts  in  April, 
in  the  south- 
lands.    It  is 
ope,  and   is 
so  visits,  the 
i   it  appears 
Woodcock. 
Ii  it  watches, 
a  cat,  listen- 
',  to  which  it 
It  in  siglit  by 
acted  by  the 
IS  have  soine- 
and  come  so 
sticks.  When 
cons  ferocity, 
k  and  cloudy 
.y-light,  takes 


short  liights,  and  when  sitting  and  looking  shar|»ly  round, 
it  erects  the  short  oar-like  tufts  of  feathers  on  the  head, 
which  arc  at  otl.cr  times  scarcely  visible.  Like  all  other 
migrating  birds,  roving  indilferently  over  the  country  in 
quest  of  food  alone,  they  iiave  sometimes  been  se«'n  in 
consideralile  numbers  together  ;  Bewick  even  remarks, 
that  UH  of  t!iem  had  been  counted  at  once  in  a  turnip- 
field  in  (higlniid.  They  are  al>o  numerous  in  Holland 
in  the  months  of  September  and  October,  and  in  all 
countries  are  serviceabh;  for  the  destruction  they  make 
among  house  and  field  mice,  their  only  food  Aliliough 
they  usually  l)reed  in  high  ground,  they  have  also  been 
observed  in  V-urope  to  nest  in  marsiies,  in  the  middle  of 
the  high  herbage,  a  situation  ciiosen  both  for  safety  and 
solitude. 

Tlic  lonntli  of  this  spories  is  from  i:l  to  1.')  inciies  (tli«  liittor  tlie 
length  lit'  Wilsons  l.inl,  wluwe  extent  was  H  feet  4  inirhes).  The 
hciid  Hinall.  Tail  mliifoiis,  «illi  lirowii  liands  iinil  tipptd  with  white. 
Dt-ncath  i.nab.'lhi  yi'llow,  with  Inniritnilinal  spots  of  lilackisli  brown. 
Bill  black.     Feet  and  toes  feathered.     Iris  of  a  bright  yellow. 


t  t.   IVith  the  head  destitttle  of  car-like  Ivfis. 
BARRKl)  OWL. 

(Utrixnehulosa,  Lis.  Wilson,  iv.  p.  lil.  pi.  :W.  fig.  :i.  I'hilad.  Mu- 
seum, No,  4('il.) 

Spec.  Cii\mcr.  —  Greyish-brown  with  transverse  whitish  spots; 
beneath  wliitish,  neck  and  breast  with  transverse  bars,  the  belly 
and  vent  with  longitndinal  stripes  of  brown  ;  irids  brown  ;  liill 
yellow  ;  the  tail  extending  considerably  beyond  the  tips  of  the 
wings.— Fewio/f  with  the  scapulars  of  a  dark  brow^n,  and  tjie 
wings  more  spotted  with  wliile.  — The  young  have  the  tints 
deeper ;  and  the  bill  horn-colore<l. 

This  species  inhabits  the  northern  regions  of  both  the 
old  and  new  continent,  but  with  this  difference,  as  in  the 
12 


134 


iiiiins  OK  rnEV. 


Bald  I'lu^lo,  tliiit  in  the  anciont  coiitiiirnt  llioy  sicldom 
wniulcr  bryoiid  the  arctic  citcle,  htinj;  found  no  Carlht"  to 
the  south  tlia.1  Sweden  and  Norway  ;  while  in  America, 
tlicy  (lucll  iiiid  lirced,  at  least,  in  all  tlic^  intermediate  re- 
gion tVom  Hudson's  Hay  to  Florida,  heinjr  considerably 
more  numerous  even  than  other  species  throughout  the 
swamps  and  dark  forests  of  the  southern  states.  Their 
food  is  principally  rabbits,  scpiirrels,  grous,  quails,  rata, 
mice,  and  frogs.  Frt.n-  necessity,  as  well  as  choice, 
they  not  unfrequently  iippear  around  the  farm-house  and 
garden  in  quest  of  the  poultry,  j)articularly  young 
chickens.  At  these  times  they  prowl  abroad  towards 
evening,  and  tly  low  and  steadily  about,  as  if  beating  for 
their  prey.  In  Alabama,  Georgia,  West  Florida,  and 
Louisiana,  where  they  abound,  they  arc  often  to  be  seen 
abroad  by  day,  particularly  in  cloudy  weather,  and,  at 
tiuKs,  even  soar  and  tly  with  all  the  a<l<lress  of  diurnal 
birds  of  prey.  Their  loud  guttural  call  of  koh  'koh  'ko 
'ki)  /ii'i,  or  'ii'fi(i/i  'ir/ui/i  'wlitili  'whah-aa  ,may  be  heard  occa- 
sionally both  I'.y  doy  and  night,  and,  as  a  note  of  recogni- 
tion, is  readily  answered  when  mimicked,  so  as  to  <lecoy 
the  original  towards  the  sound.  One  which  I  received, 
in  the  month  of  December  (IKJO),  was  hovering  over  a 
covey  of  (piails,  in  the  day-time ;  and  though  the  .sports- 
man had  the  same  aim,  the  owl  also  joined  the  chase, 
and  was  alone  deterred  from  his  sinister  purpose  by  re- 
ceiving the  contents  of  the  gtui  intended  only  for  the 
more  favorite  game.  Audubon  say.s,  that  they  u.sually 
nestle  in  hollow  trees,  without  adding  any  lining  even 
to  the  cavity;  though  they  sometimes  also  take  jms- 
scssionof  the  old  nests  of  the  (jrow  or  Red-tailed  Hawk. 
The  eggs,  globular  and  w  liite,  are  from  4  to  (i.  When  the 
young  leave  the  nest,  they  still  keep  together  for  mutual 
warmth  and  safety,  in  the  liigh,  shaded  branches  of  the 


-?^355!a^s^-';*;(i?cT?'rae^!?ev^-i^'©w"=s*iR*l!^^ 


Ai,rco,  on  DROWN  owr,, 


13.1 


Their 

,  rnta, 


llioy  M'ldom 
K)  Inn  lit"  to 
ill  Aiiirrica, 
'iiicdialo  re- 
:oiisi(lcriil)ly 
uugliout  tlio 
itcs. 
r[iiai 

as  choice, 
i-house  and 
nrly  young 
jad  towards 
f  l)entiny  for 
'iorida,  and 
n  to  he  seen 
lor,  and,  at 
s  of  diurnal 
kofi  'koh  'ko 

heard  occa- 
!  ol"  recogni- 

ns  (0  decoy 

I  received, 
■ring  over  a 
I  tlic  sports- 

tlic  chase, 
pose  by  re- 
)nly  for  the 
hoy  usually 

lining  even 
)  take  pos- 
lilod  Ilnwk. 
When  the 
*  for  mutual 
ches  of  the 


trees  where  they  have  probably  been  hatched  ;  and,  hud- 
dled together  near  the  trunk,  tli  7  escape  pretty  readily 
the  notice  of  their  eneniie.4.  On  being  approacheil, 
however,  by  the  parentH,  they  utter  a  lii.ssiiig  cull,  audible 
for  Moine  disiance.  According  to  Audubon,  ulicn  kepi 
in  cajiiivity  they  prove  very  useful  in  catching  mice. 
Their  Hish  is  also  eaten  by  the  crcolen  of  Louisiana  and 
considt K'd  as  palatable. 

The  Ipnirtli  "f'llio  mule  of  this  Bpocios,  nrpnrdiiiu  to  Wilsmi,  it  Ki.l 
incllPM,  nccordiiiKf  to  Ti'iniiiiiick  "ilj!  I  Imvi-  fcniiid  tin- ./ivod/c 
to  mcasurt",  ns  jrivfii  liy  WiIhou,  'Jri  iiiclii's;  'rciiiiiiinck'H  mciiR- 
urcMii'iit  f)l'llii' Miiiiic  Hi'x  iH  iiiMirly 'J:I4.  Tin- l'ui;<' ciiion'ous,  striped 
with  lirowii.  Ahovi',  uh  well  iw  tiie  tail,  of  a  cinerfoiiH  brown, 
barrt'd  triiii«v<>rKi'ly  with  wliitish  nnd  yt'llowiHli.  Wiiii/-(U)VMrt« 
tliirlily  H|Hilt('(l  with  whito.  Tail  remaikaldy  convox  iilmvo,  imrrcd 
with  ')  ord  hroad  Mtripes  of  brown.  Votf  part  of  the  neck  and  breast 
whiti8li,  barn-d  lran$i<eiaelif  with  pale  brown  ;  beb)w,  Htriped  longi- 
tuiliniilly  with  the  same,  to  the  tail.  Lejrs  ohithed  with  short  feath- 
ers ;  the  extremity  of  tlie  toea  covered  with  scale*. 


ALUCO,  on  BROWN  OWL. 

(Strit  ainen,  Ciwr.us.  Latham,  Ind.  Orn.  i.  p.  5!).  [adult]  .Sf.  alriditla, 
Latham,  Ind.  i.  p.  ."id.  sp.  "J."),  [the  younjf,  or  Tawnv  Owi..] 

Sp.  Chakait. — Tawny,  with  dark  brown  and  small  white  spots; 
below  yellowish-white,  with  transverse  bars  of  brown,  crossed  by 
narrow  loniritodinal  ones  of  blacki.-ili ;  iris  of  a  blackisli  blue; 
the  wingsexteiidinira  little  beyond  the  tail;  •1th  and  .''ith  primaries 
longest.  —  Female  more  tawny,  often  inclining  to  terruginous 
red.  The  Vuitng  of  u  year  resemble  the  female,  and  have  the 
iris  brown. 

This  species,  hitherto  seen  only  in  Newfoundland,  and 
the  young  suspected  to  occur  at  lIud.son's  .Bay  by  Pen- 
nant, is  common  in   Europe,  and  usually  frequents  the 


130 


lllllim    iiF    I'lU'.V. 


thickoHl  forests.  It  is  ii  nocturiiiil  kiiul,  lodtrina  con- 
stiiiitly  in  iiollow  troos,  aiid  coiiiiiKiiciM;,'  itn  raiiiltltM  nlioul 
dusk.  It  thfs  lij,r|itly  luid  sideways  like  most  of  the  (reniis, 
is  a  keen  moiispr,  and  may  bo  decoyed  witliiii  trmi-shoi  l)y 
imitating  tlic  s(|iicak  <<\'  lli.it  aniiiiai.  It  is  iioueviT  oli- 
servcd  to  li<-  ratiier  daiiily,  scldoiii  •■atiiis,'  more  tliaii  liic 
fore-fjuarters  of  its  prey,  and  UmvIiii,'  tiic  rest  in  its  nest 
untouclu'd.  It  is  said  now  and  then  to  burrow  like  a 
rabbit,  prubabiy  al't<>r  its  prey  when  heard  or  seen,  in 
which  piirlii-iibir  it  seems  to  follow,  in  a.  measure,  the 
habit  of  tlu>  .V.  ninintlfirifi,  or  Burrowing  Owl,  already 
mentioned.  Lik(!  the  Lon^r-F-ared  species,  it  takes  but 
little  trouble  about  a  nest,  constantly  occupying  those  of 
other  Uriiv.  bir<ls  wiiich  have  become  ne^'lected,  such  as 
that  of  the  Buzzard,  Kestril,  Crow,  or  Magpie.  Its  eggs, 
4  or  .'» in  innuher,  are  w  hitish,  and  round  as  usual. 

Although,  during  suuMuer,  it  lodges  constantly  in  the 
hollow  trees  of  the  forest,  in  winter  it  occasionally 
ventures  to  approach  haidtations  and  farm-yards,  assisting 
the  cat  in  ridding  the  premises  of  rats  and  mice.  It 
also  pursues  and  catches  small  birds,  or  picks  them  off 
their  roost,  and  devours  frogs  and  beetles.  Early  in  the 
morning  during  summer,  it  retires  into  the  woods,  and 
conceals  itself  in  the  thickest  copse,  or  sleeps  away  the 
day,  hi<l(len  amidst  the  foliage  of  the  most  shady  trees. 
Its  dismal  cry,  /too,  O',  66,  66,  u6,  m,  66,  resembling  the 
howlinif  of  the  wolf  (ululari),  originated  its  namcof  «/«/« 
among  the  Romans.  The  cry  of  the  youni;  bird,  or  Tawny 
Owi,  IS  like  a  shouting  or  hallooing  hiibo,  lioho,  Ii6/i6/iu/iu, 
which,  however  unpleasant,  has  the  curious  effect  of  <lraw- 
ing  great  numbers  of  small  \>irds  around  him,  at 
which  limes,  it  is  probable,  he  repays  their  insolent  curi- 
osity by  seizinir  and  feeding  on  the  plumpest  of  thorn. 


ACADIAN    OWL. 


187 


kIlmii!:  OOll- 
iiililcs  nli'lut 
I'  the  iiriiil.s, 
(IHii-shol  l)y 
lowovcr  ot)- 
nv.  tliau  tlin 
tt  ill  its  nest 
irrow  like  n 
or  svvti,  ill 
u'lisiiro,  tlio 
)\vl,  already 
it  takes  lull 
iiig  tiiosi!  of 
eil,  such  as 
...  Itsogi^s, 
I  filial. 

Lniiily  ill  tiio 
occasionally 
(Is,  ns!<isling 
1  iiiico.  It 
ckH  tlioni  off 
Early  in  the 

woods,  and 
?ps  away  the 
shady  trees. 
4cnihliiig  the 
ame  of  iilii/n 
d,  r)r  Tawny 
<6,  /lo/io/iu/iu, 
Tect  of  draw- 
id  him,  at 
nsolent  riiri- 

of  thciii. 


The  l«n|{th  nf  tliia  *p«ci<>it  in  from  ITi  to  III  inclii>ii.  Th«  head  ii 
large  and  ilattxiied  hfhiild.  Abovf,  ipottcd  with  liir){e  tmichei  nt'  deep 
lirown  ;  on  the  Hra|iiiliirH  ari<  Hornt>  lari;«  wpotH  of  white,  I'riiiiprieii 
and  tail  liundnl  alti-rnati'ly  with  liliirkiHh  and  >;ri-yiHh  riifnuH.  The 
feet  leatlitTi'd  to  the  tni-H.  OccaHiimally  viiryins;  In  a  piiri'  wliili', 
pepptTiMl  over  with  Dtinifrouit  triangular  liUli'  NpnU;  alxo  round  the 
eyeH  while,  with  a  Idafk  zone  ;  tliedown  of  the  ien^H  likewiie  white, 
with  black  poiiita.     Thin  appearii  to  be  nearly  au  albiuu. 


ACADIAN  OWL. 

{Strix  acadiea ,  a w .  Fiiltlc  Owl,  .Sf. /)n»«en'/irt,  Wii.son,  iv.  p.  fii!  pi.  34. 
I]g.  I.   I'hilad.  Muxeuiu,  iNo.  '>-j-J.) 

Sr.  CnARA<r.  —  Dark  greyiHli  brown  npolted  with  wliito;  bpnpath 
while,  Hpotti'd  with  clii'sniit  brown  ;  tail  Mhort,  not  e.tci'pdiiicf  the 
tipH  id'llie  Hinif^,  with  il  narrow  l);ind?(  ofwiiili"  wpotn  ;  liill  black- 
ish :  a  Hinall  s|)»'rii's.  —  t'eiiiiilf.  with  llif  tiiitii  deeper,  and  with  the 
white  BpotM  Hhadfd  with  yellowish. 

Tins  very  small  species  is  bcdieved  to  bo  nil  iiiliahitaiit 
of  the  northern  reirions  of  both  continents,  from  which  in 
Europe  it  seldom  wanders,  bi'iiiff  even  very  rare  in  the 
north  of  GerniMiiy.  In  iIh!  United  States  it  is  not  un- 
common as  far  to  the  south  as  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jer- 
sey, where  it  is  rt'sident,  havinjr  apparently  a  predilocti-.n 
for  the  sea-coast,  living  and  nesiln  '  in  iho  Pine  tree.-i,  or 
in  the  clefts  of  rocks,  and  laying  '^  white  eggs  as  usual. 
It  is  generally  nocturnal;  and  if  accidentally  abroad  by 
day,  it  flies  cpiickly  to  sumo  shelter  from  the  light.  It  is 
very  solitary  in  its  habits,  living  wholly  in  the  evergreen 
forests,  and  coming  ont  only  towiirda  night,  or  early  in 
the  morning,  in  search  of  mice,  beetles,  moths,  and  grass- 
hoppers. 

The  note  of  this  species  is  as  yet  unknown,  it  is  not 
probably  silent,  any  more  than  the  Strix  passerinn,  or  Lit- 
12" 


138 


iMRDs  or  rni:y. 


tie  Owl  to  which  it  is  nearly  related.  This  latter  kind  has  a 
reiterated  cry,  when  flying,  like  Foujwo  pooiwo.  Another 
note,  which  it  utters  sitting,  appears  so  much  like  the 
human  voice,  calling  out  ounc,  ke.mt,  cdine,  that,  accord- 
ing to  Butl'on,  it  deceived  one  of  his  servants  who  lodged 
in  one  of  the  old  turrets  of  the  casdc  of  Montlmrd ;  and 
waking  him  u])  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  with  this  sin- 
gular cry,  he  opened  the  window  and  called  out,  "  Who's 
there,  below  ?  iinj  name  is  not  Ej)Mi;,  hut  Peter !  " 

The  lengt)»  of  the  Acadian  owl  is  about  74  inclies,  and  IH  in  aliir  ex- 
tent. .\liove,  dark  inoyisli-'irown,  scattered  wilii  s])ots  and  points  of 
white.  Below,  white  witli  hirjje  spots  of  liglit  brown  ordiesnut;  [upon 
the  flanks,  in  tlie  European  aduU,  transverse  spots  of  the  same  color.] 
On  the  throat  and  sides  of  the  neck  large  while  spaces.  :i  or  1  narrow 
bands  of  white  on  the  tail,  formed  of  spots  of  that  colnr ;  the  prima- 
ries also  crossed  obliciuely  with  •'>  bars  of  white.  Tiie  feet  thickly 
featherd  to  the  toes,  'j'lie  hill  dark  lead  color,  approaching  black  and 
yellowish  at  the  point,  (in  .S7/i>  Ttngmalmi  it  is  yellow.)  Iris  pale  yel- 
low. 

NoTK.  Prince  Bonaparte,  in  a  letter  to  W.  Cooper,  Esc).  says,  he 
has  recently  ascertained  that  this  .-species  dilfers  from  all  the  other  Eu- 
ropean small  kinds  of  the  genus. 


Subgenus.  —  Stui.v. 

Shell  of  tiie  ear  very  large,  and  with  the  oiicrcnliim  or  lid  still 
larger  than  in  the  preceding  subgenus;  disk  of  feathers  round  the 
face  much  dilated;  the  bill  lengthened  out  and  curved  only  at  the 
tip  ;  the  legs  thickly  feathered,  and  the  toes  covered  with  scattered 
bristles;  the  head  without  any  ear-like  tufts  of  feathers.  —  Habits 
nocturnal. 


WIIITK  on  BAnN  OWL. 


139 


ter  kind  has  a 

[)(i6.  Anotlicr 
luch  like  tlic 
tliat,  accord- 
ts  who  lodged 
ontbiird;  and 
,  with  this  sin- 
out,  "  nVio'*- 
fcr!" 

and  1'^  inaliirex- 
)ots  and  points  of 
ji'chesnut;  [upon 
'the  same  culor.] 
;s.  ;i  or  4  narrow 
;olor ;  the  priina- 
Tlie  feet  thlfkly 
laehiniv  black  and 
)W.)  Iris  pale  yel- 

ier,  Et-c).  says,  he 
I  all  the  other  Eu- 


rciiluin  or  lid  still 
r>atliers  round  the 
:urvcd  only  at  the 
ed  with  scattered 
feathers.  —  Habits 


WIITTE  OR  BARN  OWL. 

(Strixjlammeii,  Li.v.  AVilso.v,  vi.  p. .')".  pi.  50.  fig.  2.  Philad.  Museum, 

No.  4^0.) 

Sp.  CiiARAfT.  —  \'i'lIo\vish-ta\vny,  or  pale  yellowisli  with  darkish 
zigznij  lines,  and  Hiiiall  spots  of  whitisli;  beneath  whitish,  or 
yellowish  white,  n-eneially  with  dark  brownish  points  ;  wings  ex- 
tending far  beyond  the  (ail;  bill  whitish. 

Tiir.Rr  is  scarcely  any  part  of  tiie  world  in  wliich  tliis 
common  species  is  not  found  ;  oxtendinir  even  to  botli  sides 
of  the  ('(|nator,  it  is  mol  witii  in  New  Holliind,  India,  and 
Brazil;  it  is  [lerhajis  no  where  more  raretiian  in  this  part 
of  the  United  States,  and  is  oidy  met  with  in  Pennsylva- 
nia and  New  Jersey  in  cold  and  severe  winters.  Nor  is  it 
ever  so  familiar  as  in  Europe,  frequentinsj  almost  uniform- 
ly the  hollows  of  trees.  In  the  fild  continent  it  is  almost 
domestic,  inhabiting  even  populous  towns,  and  is  particu- 
larly attacjicd  to  towers,  belfries,  the  roofs  of  churches, 
•  and  other  lofty  buildings,  which  afl'ord  it  a  retreat  during 
day.  Tlu>  elegant,  graphic  lines  of  Gray,  describing  its 
romantic  haunt,  urv  in  the  recollection  of  every  one. 

'•  from  yonder  ivy-mantled  tower, 


The  niopinsr  owl  does  to  tlie  moon  complain 
Of  such,  as  wand'rino-  near  her  secret  bower, 
Molest  her  ancient  solitary  reign." 

It  leaves  its  dark  abouc,  usually  at  twiligiit,  at  which 
time  it  makes  a  blowing  hiss  after  tl  c  manner  of  the 
Mottled  Owl,  something  like  gliai,  sJiair,  ahnieai.  It 
also  utters  other  different  sharp  and  grating  ri(.tes  either 
on  the  wing  or  at  rest,  resembling,  rraie,  graie,  &c.,  all 
of  which  are  so  uncouth  and  disagreeable,  that,  connected 
with  the  awful  scenery  of  churches  and  of  tombs,  in  the 
hours  of  darkness,  they  inspire  dread  and  terror  in  the 
minds  of  the  weak,  timid,  and  superstitious.     The  owl, 


140 


BIRDS  OF  PREY. 


therefore,  has  been  long  regarded  as  a  funereal  spectre,  or  a 
messenger  of  death,  and  its  unwelcome  and  familiar  visits 
around  the  abode  of  the  sick  arc  thought  to  be  little  better 
than  a  summons  to  the  regionsof  mortality,  among  which  it 
delights  to  dwell.  But  so  unreasonable  is  superstition  that 
badlind  good  are  sometimes  derived  from  the  same  omen. 
Thus  the  .Mongul  Tartars  pay  divine  honors  to  this  mis- 
represented bird,  attributing  the  preservation  of  the  foun- 
der of  their  empire,  Gcngis  Khan,  to  one  of  its  acciden- 
tal visits  to  the  bush  under  which  he  lay  hid,  his  pursuers 
naturally  supposing,  that  no  person  could  be  concealed 
where  this  friend  of  solitude  would  venture  to  perch. 

The  cry  of  this  nocturnal  l)ird,  disconlant  as  it  some- 
times appears,  is  still  in  harmony  with  the  semes  and  cir- 
cumstances it  accompanies,  and  we  may  say  with  Cowper, 

"  Tlu'  jay,  tlie  jiio,  niul  e'<'ii  Hi'"  liodiii!.' owl, 

Thni  h»\U  tli«  rising  iiiooii,  liavc  rliariiis  for  iiie  : 
Sounds  iiihariuonions  in  tlienisflves  and  harsli, 
Yet,  lieard  in  scenes  where  pence  forever  reigns. 
And  only  these,  please  highly  for  their  sake." 

Nor  are  wo  to  suppose   that  the    cries  of  the   Owl  are 
only    plaints    ami    sounds    of    distress  and    intpiietude. 
They  are  not  left  by  nature  as  spectacles  of  derision,  but 
have  their  calls  of  complaisance,  of  recognition,  and  at- 
tachment, which,  though  discordant  to  human  ears,  are 
yet  only  ordinary  expressions  of  agreement  and  necessity. 
Superstition    laid    aside,   the    owl   renders    essential 
service  to  the  farmer  by  destroying  mice,  rats,  and  shrews, 
which  infest  houses  and  barns ;     it  also  catches  bats  and 
beetles.     They  likewise  clear  churches  of  such  vermin, 
and  now  and  then,  pressed  by  hunger,  probably,  they  have 
been  known  to  sip,  or  rather  eat,  the  oil  from  the  lamps 
when  congealed  by  cold.    A  still  more  extraordinary  appe- 
tite, attributed  to  the  owl,  is  that  of  catching  fish,  on 


WHITK   OR  liAHN  OWL. 


141 


spectre,  or  ti 
miliar  visits 
liltlc  better 
)ng  which  it 
rstition  that 
hame  omen, 
to  this  mis- 
of  the  foun- 
its  acciden- 
his  pursuers 
e  concealed 
)  perch. 
t  as  it  some- 
■ncs  and  cir- 
ith  Cowper, 

lie: 

igns, 

the  Owl  are 
inquietude, 
derision,  but 
tion,  and  at- 
lan  oars,  are 
nd  necessity. 
3rs  essential 
,  and  shrews, 
;lics  bats  and 
such  vermin, 
ily,  they  have 
ni  the  lamps 
rdinary  appe- 
:hing  fisli,  on 


which  thoy  fed  their  voracious  young.*  In  autumn  also 
they  have  boeu  known  to  pay  a  nightly  vi.«it  ti)  tiio  places 
where  springes  were  laid  for  wood-cocks  and  thrushes. 
The  former  they  killed  and  ate  on  the  spot,  but  some- 
times carried  olF  the  thrushes  and  smaller  birds,  which, 
like  mice,  they  cither  swallowed  entire,  rejecting  the 
indigestible  parts  by  the  bill ;  or,  if  too  large,  they  plucked 
off  the  feathers  and  then  bolted  them  whole,  or  only  took 
them  down  piecemeal. 

In  fine  wcithor  they  venture  out  into  the  neighbouring 
woods  at  night,  returning  to  tlieir  usual  retreat  at  the 
ap|)r()acli  of  morniuif.  ^V'hen  they  first  snlly  from  tlicir 
holes,  their  eyes  hardly  well  opened,  they  liy  tumbling 
along  almost  to  the  ground,  and  usually  proceed  side- 
ways in  their  course.  In  severe  seasons,  5  or  G,  probably 
a  family  brood,  ni-o  discovered  in  the  same  retreat,  or 
concealed  in  '■:  ..'Jer  of  the  barn,  where  they  find  shel- 
ter, warmth.  .,  :  >  iood,  The  Barn  Owl  drops  her  eggs 
in  the  bare  holes  of  walls,  in  the  joists  of  houses,  or  in 
the  hollows  of  decayed  trees,  and  spreads  no  lining  to  re- 
ceive Ihcin;  tbcy  arc  3  to  5  in  number,  of  a  whitish 
color,  and  rather  long  than  round.  The  season  of  layin  ■ 
in  Europe,  is  from  the  end  of  March  to  the  beginning  of 
April. 

When  out  abroad  by  day,  like  most  of  the  other  species, 
they  are  numerously  attended  by  the  little  gossiping  and 
insulting  birds  of  the  neighbourhood  :  and  to  add  to  their 
distraction,  it  is  not  an  uncommon  practice,  in  the  north 
of  England,  for  boys  to  set  up  a  shout  and  follow  the  Owl, 
who  becomes  .so  deafened  and  stunned  as  at  times  nearly  to 
fall  down,  and  thus  become  an  easy  prey  to  his  persecutors ; 

♦  This  hiipiionoil  in  Riif-Kind  ;  golil-lisli  Iwing  missed  ftom  a  pond,  tliey  wore  sup- 
iH)Bed  to  be  stolen  in  tlio  nialit,  ttn<l  Uic  tliief  turned  out  at  length  to  be  an  owl. 


'i  ■ 
pi 


H 


■Mil  m 


143 


BIRDS  OF  PHEY. 


and  the  probability  of  such  an  effect  will  not  be  surprising, 
when  we  consider  the  delicacy  and  magnitude  of  the  au- 
ditory apparatus  of  this  bird,  the  use  of  which  is,  probably, 
necessary  to  discover  the  otherwise  silent  retreats  of  their 
tiny  prey.  When  taken  captive,  according  to  BiilVon,  they 
do  not  long  survive  the  loss  of  liberty,  and  pertinacious- 
ly  refuse  to  eat ;  a  habit  very  differcMit  from  that  of  the 
young  Mottled  Owl,  who  allowed  himself  to  feed  from  my 
hand,  and  tugged  greedily  and  tamely  at  the  morsel  held 
out  to  him  until  he  got  it  into  his  possession ;  small  birds 
also  he  would  instantly  grasp  in  his  talons,  and  hiss  and 
shaii,  shaie,  when  any  attempt  was  made  to  deprive  him  of 
his  booty. 

A  superstitious  legend  prevails  in  the  north  of  England, 
that  Pharaoh's  daughter  was  transformed  into  an  Owl, 
and  the  common  distich,  which  1  have  often  heard  when 
a  child,  and  while  the  Owl  was  screaming  on  a  winter's 
night,  ran  thus  : 

Oh,'  006  00  ■ 


"  I  oncp  was  a  king's  daughter  and  sat  on  my  father's  knee, 
IJut  now  I'm  a  poor  lloolet,  and  hide  in  a  hollvw  tree  !" 

an  invention  that  might  do  credit  to  the  genius  of  Ovid, 
who  thus  describes  this  species  of  Strix,  and  the  etymolo- 
gy of  its  name  : 

"  Large  is  tlieir  head,  and  inotlnnlrss  their  eye. 
Hook-billed,  sharp-clawed,  and  in  the  dusk  tliey  fly. 

Scrcerh-Owh  they're  called;  because  with  dismal  cry, 
In  darkling  night,  from  place  to  place  they  fly."  * 


Grnndo  caput,  stontes  oculi,  rostra  apta  rnpina) 
Canitiej  puiinis,  unguiliuB  haiiius  incut. 
******         ** 
Est  illia  ftrijiibii?  noincn  ;  sod  noniiiiis  liujua 
Causa  quod  liorrondd  striikrc  nocte  solenl. 

F»sti,  lib.  vi,  139. 


WIIITK   Oil    nAllN  OWL. 


143 


surprising, 
c  of  tlic-  au- 
s,  probably, 
oats  of  their 
Bun'on,tliey 
ertinacious- 

that  of  tlie 
■cd  from  my 
morsel  held 

small  birds 
ind  hiss  and 
prive  him  of 

of  England, 

iito  an  Owl, 

heard  when 

lu  a  winter's 


lier'sknee, 
w  tree  !" 

ius  of  Ovid, 
the  etymoio- 


liey  fly. 

jiual  cry, 

ly."* 


IIow  this  feared  and  despised  bird  came  to  be  the  em- 
blem of  wisdom,  the  sacred  bird  of  jMinerva,  among  so 
grave  and  wise  a  people  as  the  ancient  Grecians,  is  not  easy 
to  imagine,  further,  than  that  it  was  one  of  the  ever  fruit- 
ful inventions  of  superstition,  adopted  by  accident;  and 
as  the  loquacity  of  this  stupid  and  generally  silent  bird 
would  never  betray  the  real  defect  of  his  character,  his 
solemn  looks  and  taciturn  behaviour  continued  to  com- 
mand the  veneration  of  the  public. 

The  young  of  this  species,  when  they  have  just  attained 
their  growth,  are,  in  France,  considered  good  food,  as  they 
are  then  fat  and  plump.  At  Hudson's  Bay,  a  larL,J  Owl, 
resembling  the  cinereoiu:,  is  likewise  eaten  and  esteemed 
a  delicacy,  according  to  rcnnaut. 

The  Barn  Owl  is  about  14  iiiclips  long,  and  upwards  of  3  feet 
inclies  in  the  stretch  of  the  wings.  Tlie  bill  is  whitish,  and  longer 
than  usual.  The  face  white,  surrounded  by  a  l)order  of  nanow, 
thick-set  feathers,  of  a  reddish  cream  color  externally.  In  some  in- 
dividuals the  under  side  of  the  liody  is  entirely  witlinut  spots.  Tail 
pale  yellow,  crossed  witli  5  bars  of  brown,  and  thickly  dotted  with 
the  same.  In  the/cmaVc  the  tints  are  paler  and  clearer.  iSonjetimea 
a  variety  occurs  wliitish,  or  wholly  white. 

NoTK.  Besides  these  established  species  of  the  geu'.is-,  we  have  had 
information  of  a  bird  in  this  vicinity  wliich  approaches  the  iHcanJiiia- 
vian.  Eared  Owl  of  Linnmus,  but  have  not  yet  proved  fortunate  enough 
to  possess  a  specimen  ;  it  is  described  as  a  very  large  Black  and  Wliite 
Owl  with  ears.  This  is  probably,  the  Slrir  vwrima,  capitc  uurito, 
eorpore  nirro,  or  Great  Horned  White  Owl  of  Barlram,  p.  2-'^9.  In- 
formation concerning  tliis  doubtful  species  would  be  very  acceptable 
to  the  author,  and  fill  up  a  blank  in  Natural  History. 


ORDER   SECONP. 


OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS.    (Temminch.) 

With  the  6(7/ of  moderate  size,  strong',  stout,  and  fdged 
at  the  sides ;  the  upper  mandible  more  or  loss  notched  at 
the  point.  The/«7><  provided  with  4  toes,  :$  of  which  are 
in  front  and  1  behind.  Tiie  wing^  of  moderate  size,  and 
with  Uie  quills  pointed. 

H.\DiTs.  The  birds  which  compose  this  order  live  in 
bands,  or  companies,  and  are  monoiramous.  They  nest 
upon  trees,  in  the  crannies  of  ruins  or  old  towers,  and 
some  of  the  species  occupy  the  natural  cavities  of  decayed 
trees.  The  male  and  female  also  hatch  the  eafrs  in  turn. 
They  live  on  insects,  worms,  and  carrion,  and  often  add 
likewise  to  this  nourishment  grain  and  fruits.  Their 
flesh  is  usually  hard,  tough,  and  unpalatable. 


Family  — GnKGAiiii.  (Illigrr.  liorioparfr.) 
With  the  l.ill  inodorate  in  size,  liard,  straight,  acute,  and  sharp  on 
the  edges  ;  the  nosi  i  ils  at  its  base,  and  partly  lii<( ;  the  lonerue  incapa- 
ble of  extension,  and  cleft  or  notched  at  the  extremity.  The  feet  ro- 
bust, and  the  legs  naked.  The  wings  of  moderate  length,  and  the 
quills  pointed  at  the  tips. 

These  birds  are  generally  omnivorous,  and  gregarious  at  certain 
seasons  nf  the  year.  They  build  in  trees,  some  also  on  clitfs,  ruins, 
or  round  inhabited  dwellings,  and  also  on  the  ground.     Their  voice 


STARLINGS. 


145 


t,  anil  rdged 
ss  nol('l»<'il  at 
orwhicU  arc 
ate  size,  and 

order  live  in 
.  Tlioy  nest 
I  lowerH,  and 
esof  decayed 
!  euffs  in  turn, 
nd  often  add 
Iruits.     Their 


parfr.) 

lite,  and  sharp  on 
lie  tongiiP  iucapii- 
,ty.  The  feet  ro- 
'  length,  and  the 

;arious  sit  certain 
io  on  cliffs,  ruins, 
mil.     Their  voice 


is  generolly  loud,  quaint,  and  harsh,  seldom  harmonious  ;  some  have 
a  remarkable  talent  for  inimickry.  The  plumage,  when  of  more 
than  a  single  color,  is  often  eminent  for  beauty,  splendor,  and  sin- 
gularity.    They  are  in  general,  easily  domesticated,  and  readily  fed. 

§  1.  Birds  more  usually  Gregarious. 

In  these  the  bill  is  in  the  form  of  an  elongated  cone,  entire  on  ita 
edges,  and  bare  at  the  base,  where  it  presents  a  sort  of  open  sinus  in 
tb..  idhers  of  the  forehead.  The  outer  and  middle  toes  united  at 
the  base.     The  tail  of  Vi  feathers. 


STARLINGS.    (Stlbnus,  Lin.) 

The  Bii.i.  in  the  form  of  a  lengthened  cone,  depressed,  and  some- 
what blunt,  with  the  edges  vertical ;  above  somewhat  rounded.  Nog- 
TBli.s  half  closed  by  an  arched  membrane.  The  to/inrHc  narrowed, 
sharp,  and  cleft  at  the  point.  The  hind  nail  longest  and  largest. 
The  2d  and  3d  primaries  the  longest. 

The  female  is  scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  male  by 
the  plumage ;  but  the  young  differ  from  tiie  adult.  There 
is  also  a  double  and  periodical  change  in  the  colors  of 
the  bill  and  feet,  as  -.veil  as  in  th^  tints  and  spots  with 
which  the  plumage  is  decorated,  which  takes  place  inde- 
pendently of  the  annual  moult,  so  that  the  feathers  appear 
to  undergo  this  alteration  by  the  friction  of  their  barbs,  as 
well  as  the  action  of  the  air  and  light ;  and  in  .spring, 
after  the  true  moult,  the  numerous  spots  of  the  autumnal 
feathers  disappear. 

The  Starlings  feed  principally  on  insects  which  they 
find  on  the  ground  ;  some  of  the  species  follow  the  cattle 
paths  to  pick  up  those  they  disturb,  and  often  alight 
familiarly  on  their  backs ;  they  also  feed  on  different  kinds 
of  seeds,  and  search  for  them,  like  pigeons  and  common 
13 


nm 


146 


OMNIVOBOI'H    niRDS. 


{o^yy,  in  the  ordure  of  domestic  animals.  The  foreign 
species  ne«t  in  hollow  trcs,  under  the  tiles  and  roofings 
of  hou«e.,  und  in  the  holes  of  walls  ;  but  the  an.h.guou.s, 
American  kind,  confined  to  low  meadows  and  savannahs, 
constructs  its  nest  in  tufts  of  rank  grass.  Spec.es  are 
ronn.l  in  all  parts  of  the  globe.  The  common  btarhng 
l,„s  been  taught  to  articulate  words,  and  sings  pretty  well 
in  confinement,  though  with  something  of  the  monoto- 
nous jingle  of  our  common  Blackbird. 


Subgenus.  — STfRNELLA.    (American  Starling.) 

in  these  the  sinus  at  the  base  of  the  bill  is  deep  and  rounded. 
With  the  hind  toe  as  long  as  the  .niddleone,  and  greatly  exceedrng 
the  lateral.  The  wingH  shortish  and  somewhat  rounded.  N"  spur  - 
«:  or  additional  win|feather  at  the  .houlder.  The  1st  and  5thpn- 
.naries  about  equal ;  the  -d,  M,  and  4th  longest ;  two  of  >'«  "^^''^d^ 
.  ries  also  much  elongated.  Peculiar  to  America,  very  d.s  met  from 
The  couunon  Stare,  and  allied  to  the  following  genus,  but  more  re- 
motely  to  the  Larks. 


mMb 


The  foreign 
11(1  roofings 
ambiguous, 
savaunahs, 
Species  are 
1011  Starling 
s  pretty  well 
the  monoto- 


tarling.) 

J  and  rounded, 
'ally  exceeding 
ded.  No  spiiri- 
Iflt  and  5th  pri- 
of  the  seconda- 
ry distinct  from 
18,  but  more  re- 


AMERICAN  STARLING,  on  MEADOW  LARK. 

(Stumu»  ludovkiamis,    L.  Miuda  mmrna,  Wilson,  3.  p.  20.  pi.  ]•>. 
fig.  3.    Philud.  Museum,  No.  5212.) 

Si'.  CiivnArr.  —  Beneath  and  line  over  the  eye  bright  yellow;  a 
black  crescent  on  tlio  breast;  and  with  the  4  lateral  tail  foathera 
white. 

This  we!)  known  harmless  inhabitant  of  meadows  and 
old  firlds  is  not  only  tbund  in  every  part  of  the  United 
States,  but  appoar.s  to  be  a  resident  in  all  the  intermediate 
region,  from  the  frigid  latitude  of  5;]°,*  to  tiie  mild  table 
land  of  Me.xico,+  and  the  tropical  savannahs  of  Guiana. 
In  the  winter,  they  abound  in  Alabama  and  West  Florida, 
so  that  in  some  degree,  like  the  Jays,  and  the  legitimate 
Starlings,  they  partially  migrate  in  quest  of  food  during 
the  severity  of  the  weather  in  the  colder  states.  It  is  not 
however  improbable,  but  that  most  of  the  mi^rrating  fami- 
lies of  this  bird,  which  we  find  at  this  season,  have  merely 
travelled  eastward  from  the  cold  western  plains  that  are 
annually  covered  with  snow.     But  although  they  are  now 


I 


*  According  to  Uiclmrdson  In  Franklin'i  Journ«I.  f  Bullock's  Tisvob. 


148 


OMNIVOROUH    BIRDS. 


seen  in  considerable  numbers,  any  Hin>?le  flock  i»  never 
greater  than  a  pair  and  their  uttondant  brood,  or  iron.  (V 
to  a  dozen,  in  the  case  of  a  Hccond  covey.  The  true 
StarlingH,  on  the  contrary,  have  all  the  habits  of  our  com- 
mon  Blackbirds;  they  us«en.bU.  in  winter.  like  dark 
clouds,  moving  as  one  bo.ly,  nn.l  when  about  to  descend, 
perform  progressive  circular  evolutions  in  the  air  hke  a 
phalanx  in  the  order  of  battle;  and  when  settled  they 
blacken  the  earth  with  their  numbers,  as  well  as  lun  the 
ears  whh  their  clul-  '  L.ke  crows  also,  they  ..  ek  the 
shelter  of  r.-ed  marshes  to  pass  (be  ni«bt,  and  in  the  day 
take  the  benefit  of  every  sunny  ami  sheltered  covert. 

Our  Starling,  like  tl>e  A.ucrici.n  Quail,  is  so.-.ab  e, 
but  scarcely  gregarious;  and  though  many,  no  doubt, 
wander  some  distance  after  food,  yet  a  few,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania,  us  well  as  in  this  rigorous  climate,  may  be  seen  in 
the  market  after  the  ground  is  covere.l  with  snow.  Wil- 
son even  observed  then,  in  the  month  of  February,  du- 
ring  a  deep  snow,  among  the  heights  of  the  Alleghanies, 
gleaning  their  scanty  pittance  on  the  road,  in  company 
with  the  small  snow  birds. 

The  flesh  of  our  bird  is  white,  and  for  size  and  de.ica- 
cy  it  is  considered  little  inferior  to  the  Partridge ;  but 
that  ofthe  European  species  is  black  and  bitter. 

The  flight  of  the  Sturnella  is  laborious  and  steady  like 

that  of  the  Quail,  with  the  action  ofthe  wings  renewed. 

at  short  intervals.     They  often  alight  on  trees,  and  select 

usually  the  main  branches  or  topmost  twigs  on  which  to 

perch,  though  their  food  is  commonly  collected  irom  the 

ground.     At  various  times  of  the  day,  and  nearly  through 

the  winter,  in  the  milder  st.los,  their  very  peculiar  lisping, 

long,  and  .ather  melancholy  note  is  heard  nt  short  inter- 

vals ;  and,  without  the  variations  which  are  not  inconsid- 

erable,    bears  some   resemblance   to    the  slender  sing- 


AMKIlir.VN  MTAItl.lN..  (IR  MKADOW    I.MtK 


140 


[  iH  npver 
or   from  6 
Tlie  true 
four  coin- 
like  (l.irk 

0  dcHceiitl, 
nir  like  ii 

•tthd  they 
a8  ^tim  the 
■y  Mtok  the 

1  in  the  day 
overt. 

in  so'iable, 
no  doubt, 
n  Pennsyl- 
■  be  seen  in 
now.  Wil- 
;bruary,  du- 
Vlieghnnies, 
in  company 

and  deiica- 
rlridge ;  but 
ter. 

J  steady  like 
ngs  renewed 
8,  and  select 
on  which  to 
ted  from  the 
(ariy  through 
juliar  lisping, 
it  short  inter- 
not  inconsid- 
slender  sing- 


ing and  nlTerted  pronunciation  of  ft  si  t/ie  li/i,  and  pse- 
drr  rlsili'<,  or  tal  srilitiu  in  a  slow,  wiry  tone,  and  sonietimcH 
differently  varied  and  shortened.  The  same  simple  ditty 
is  rep<!atcd  in  the  spring,  when  they  associate  in 
pairs ;  the  female  also,  as  ^hc  rises  or  descends,  at  this 
time,  freepiently  gives  a  reiterated  guttural  chirp,  or  hur- 
ried twitter  like  that  of  the  female  Rcd-wingcd  Black- 
bird. I  li.ive  likewise  at  times  heard  them  utter  not«»8 
much  more  musital  and  vigorous,  not  very  unlike  the  fine 
tones  of  iho  .Sky-[iark,  wiiich 

"  Shrill-voicpd  and  lnud,  the  meHi*onf;er  of  morn, 
KtP  >«'t  the  hIiiiiIown  lly,  [lii(fli]  iiiiiiiiited,HiiigR 
Amid  llie  dawning  cIoiicIh,  and  from  llicir  liniintii 
(.'alls  up  the  tuiu't'ul  miti'iiis," 

but  I  can  by  no  meana  compare  our  lisping  songster  with 
that  blithe  "  harbinger  of  day."  There  is  a  monotonou.s 
affbctation  in  (he  .song  of  our  Lark,  wiiich  appears  indeed 
somewhat  allied  to  llio  jin;;ling  though  not  unpleasant 
tune  of  the  Starling.*  Th<  Stare,  ntoreover,  had  the 
faculty  of  imitating  human  spc'ech,  (which  ours  has  not, 
as  far  as  we  yet  know,)  and  could  indiderently  speak 
even  French,  English,  Gerin.iii,  Latin,  ami  (iroek,  or  any 
other  language  within  his  hearing,  and  repeal  liott  phra- 
ses, so  that  "  '  r  rnn't  grt  out,  Iran't  grt  out,  says  the 
Starling,"  which  accidentally  afforded  Sterne  such  a 
beautiful  and  pathetic  subject  for  his  graphic  pen,  was 
probably  no  fiction. 

At  the  time  of  pairing  our  Lark  exhibits  a  little  of  the 
jealous  disposition  of  his  tribe,  and,  having  settled  the 
uispute  which  decides  his  future  condition,  he  retires  from 
his  fraternity,  and,  assisted  by  his  mate,  selects  a  thick 
tuft  for  the  reception  of  his  nest,  which  is  pretty  compact, 


*  BtutDui  piaitat  oio,  uilat,  pininlrnl,  win  the  cry  of  the  Btata  to  tlie  esrj  of  tha 
Romiini. 

13* 


IM 


OMNIVOROVH   BIRDIt 


made  of  dry,  wiry  grans,  and  lined  with  finer  l)ln<les  of 
the  «iunc.  It  is  usually  formed  with  a  covered  ••iitraiico 
in  the  Hurrounding  wither.^!  graHH.  through  which  a  hid- 
den and  almowt  winding  path  is  made,  and  generally 
BO  well  <  oncealod,  that  the  nest  is  only  to  be  toun.l  when 
the  bird  is  rtushed. 

The  eggs  are  4  or  5.  white,  with  a  very  faint  tint  of  blue, 
almost  round,  and  rather  large  for  the  size  of  the  bird, 
marked  with  nunierou.s  small  red<lif«h  brown  spotn  more 
numerous  at  the  greater  end,  blended  with  other  lighter 
and  darker  points  and  small  spots  of  the  same.  Thoy 
probably  often  raise  2  broods  in  the  season.  Alu.ut  the 
time  of  pairing,  in  the  latter  end  of  the  montii  of  April, 
they  have  a  call  like  HMp,  twre,  the  latter  nyllablo  in  a 
fine  and  slender  tone,  something  again  allied  to  the  occa- 
sional notesof  the  Red-winged  Blackbird,  u.  which  geii.is, 

(i,/crM.-)o«irSturncnaisnot  very  remotely  allied.  Towards 
the  close  of  June,  little  che  is  heard  from  the  species, 
but  the  noisy  twitter  of  the  female,  preceded  by  a  hoarse 
and  sonorous  'f  imp  or  'fip,  accon.panied  by  an  in.patient 
raising  and  lowering  of  the  wings,  and,  in  short  all  the 
unpleasant  and  petulant  actions  of  a  brood  hen,  as  she  is 
now  assiduously  engaged  in  fostering  and  supporting 
her  helpless  and  dependent  offspring. 

Their  food  consists  of  the  larvce  of  various  insects,  as 
well  as  worms,  beetles,  and  grass  seeds  ;  to  assist  the  di- 
gestion of  which  they  swallow  a  considerable  portion  of 
gravel.     It  does  not  appear   that  this  species  ever  ad.ls 
berries  or  fruits  of  any  kind  to  his  fare  like  the  Starling, 
but  usually  remains  the  whole  summer  in  moist  meadows, 
and  in  winter  retires  to  the  open  grassy  woods,  having 
no  inclination  to  rob  the  orchard  or  garden,  and,  except 
in  winter,  is  of  a  shy,  timid,  and  retiring  disposition. 


r 


llllllloH  of 

I'litraiico 
licli  II  lii<l- 

gcnnrally 
unci  when 

intofhlue, 
'  the  bird, 
spots  more 
icr  li},'hter 
ne.     Tliciy 
Alioiit  tho 
1  ol   April, 
lliiblt!  in  a 
olhc  occa- 
liicli  {ji'iiiis, 
i.  Towards 
he  species, 
by  a  hoarse 
n  impatient 
hort  all  the 
n,  as  she  is 
supporting 

(  insects,  as 
issist  the  di- 
e  portion  of 
fi  ever  adds 
the  Starling, 
ist  meadows, 
iods,  having 
and, except 
position. 


AMEniCAN  MTARI.INU,  OH  MKAIXMV    I.AHK.  151 

Tho  IpDirth  of  IliK  .Stnnnlla  in  lOJJ  inrlieH,  iu  fxU-ul  U>i.  Above, 
Vttrii'giiliMl  with  Idii.k,  liriglit  buy,  iilid  oilireoim.  'I'uil  w.'cl(;r..(l,  l|i« 
feiitliiTH  |>oiuli'(l,  till'  l  oiittT  liwirly  nil  wliiti-.  Sitl.M,  lliiirliM,  and 
vent  pull'  '>.|ircouM,iii)i)llfil  Willi  lihuk-  lIpptT  iimmlilili-  brown,  the 
lower  bluij»li  while,  irii  linzel.  L«gB  and  feet  larj{e,  pule  lleah 
crilor.  Ill  tlif  yuiinir  bird  tliM  yellow  in  iiiuoli  I'aiiiler,  Umri  in  the 
sdiill.  AiiothiT  >.|MMicH  of  lIuH  HiibgcniiH  in  found  at  tim  Hlruit»  of 
Mnjifi'll.in,  (liirkir  Ihiin  oum,  and  beneuth  of  a  hrijjht  carmine  red. 
They  I'orat  truly  u  very  dihtiiict  genutf. 


TROUPIALS.  (IcTEKi;9,  Bnsson.) 

In  tlieHpbirdMlhe  nii.i,  Ih  in  the  form  of  uu  clonfrnted,  idmrp-pointod 
cono,  Hoiiunvluil  compri'HHed,  roiiniied  above  -(  rartdy  Hiiiiifivvliut 
niirvt'd  ;  with  the  iimr({iii  '  intlcoled.  No<i'),i(,n  ova  .  -uid  covi-rod  by 
a  iiieiiihraiin,  7'oHifM»;  sliarp,  and  rieft  u»  ,ip.  The  <!//-.  ><«  rather  lon- 
ger than  the  middle  toe  ;  inner  toe  but  1  Ik  lioiler  It :  n  the  outer, 
and  nearly  equal  to  the  hind  one  ;  tho  nu>'  llr  loe  [ov.^v  i ;  the  hind 
nail  twice  us  hir>(e  us  tlie  itlierH.  IVinifn  §;  rij.  TI.e  ]»t  primary 
but  litllf  shorter  than  the  lid  and  llli,  which  .■.  j  longest. 

Tho  Fimiilr  Ih  very  dift'erent  from  the  male  ;  but  the  i/ounff  (ire 
very  like  the  former.  They  generally  moult  once  a  yen.,  but  th« 
colors  are  brisfliter  in  spriiiif  ;  in  luiliimii  and  winter  the  plumage  of 
the  male  Homewhut  resembleH  that  ol' the  female.  —  They  are  grejrnr 
riouB,  and  usually  oninivoroug;  building  moHlly  in  trecH  or  buaheg; 
Home  of  them  are  partly  |)olygamoii».  Their  gait  is  rather  quick 
with  the  body  aliiKist  erect,  the  flight  vigorous.  Their  llesh  not 
usually  esteemed.  —  A  genus  e.xolu.''ively  American.  Some  of  those 
of  the  first  section,  t'tissiritii,  possess  consideruble  melody  and  power 
of  voice;  as  wall  as  those  of  tlie  subgenera  Icterus,  and  Embcrizoidea. 


Subgenus.  —  Ictehus. 

With  the  bill  narrower  and  slightly  bent  towards  the  point ;  the 
frontal  sinus  of  the  bill  acute,  but  not  deep.  Female  scarcely  differ- 
ing in  size  from  the  male.  —  These  are  not  constantly  gregarious, 
only  so  during  the  period  of  migration,  and  before  incub.-ition  ;  they 
also  frequent  forests;  feeding  chiefly  on  insert.-*  iiiid  berries,  though 
when  in  confinement  capable  of  digesting  otlier  vegetable  fijod.     In 


I     !., 


m^: 


■ai'J" 


"• 


162 


OMNIVOROUS   BIRDS. 


the  breeding  season  they  are  usually  seen  in  pairs ;  and  make  very  in- 
genious  pensile  nests.  Allied  somewhat  to  the  warblers  of  the  sub- 
genus Daenis, 


BALTIMORE  ORIOLE,  or  GOLDEN  ROBIN. 

( Icterus  ballimorc,  Bonap.  Oriolus  baltimore,  Wilsou,  1.  p.  23.  pi.  1. 
fig.  3.  [male]  and  6.  p.  88.  pi.  53.  fig.  4.  [female.]  Aldubon, 
pi.  12.  [a  V'i3t,  and  very  fine  group.]  Philad.  Museum.  No.) 

Sf  Chakact.  — Tail  nearly  even.  — Male  orange;  head,  neck 
back,  wings,  and  tail,  black ;  the  lateral  tail  feathers  orange 
at  thL  summit.  -  Female  and  young,  with  the  orange  color  pale ; 
the  black  aUo  greyish,  mottled  with  yellow,  and  the  tail  orange. 


ind  innke  very  in- 
rblers  of  the  sub- 


EN  ROBIN. 

LSOK,  1.  p.  23.  pi.  1. 

imale.]  Audubon, 
[useutn.  No.) 

ange ;  head,  neck 
ail  feathers  orange 
e  orange  color  pale ; 
and  the  tail  orange. 


■«iH> 


BALTIMORE  OUIOLE,  OR  GOLDEN  ROBIN. 


153 


These  gay,  lively,  and  brilliiint  strangers,  leaving  their 
hibernal  retreat  in  South  America,  appear  among  us 
about  the  1st  week  in  May,  and  more  than  a  month 
earlier  in  Louisiana,  according  to  the  observations  of  Au- 
dubon. They  were  not  seen,  however,  in  West  Florida 
by  the  middle  of  March,  although  vegetation  had  then  so 
far  advanced,  that  the  oaks  were  in  leaf,  and  the  white 
flowering  Cornel*  in  full  blossom. 

It  is  here  that  they  pass  the  most  interesting  period  cf 
their  lives ;  and  their  arrival  is  hailed  as  the  sure  harbin- 
ger of  the  approaching  warm  and  mild  season.  Full  of  life 
and  activity,  these  fiery  sylphs  are  now  seen  vaulting  and 
darting  incessantly  through  the  lofty  boughs  of  our  tallest 
trees;  appearing  and  vanishing  with  restless  inquii  de, 
and  flashing  at  quick  intervals  into  sight,  from  amidst  the 
tender  waving  foliage,  they  seem  l»ke  living  gems  in- 
tended to  decorate  the  verdant  garment  or  *he  new  clad 
forest.  But  the  gay  Baltimore  is  neither  idle  uor  capri- 
cious ;  the  beautiful  small  beetles  and  other  active  winged 
insects  on  which  he  now  principally  feeds,  are  in  con- 
stant motion,  and  require  perpetual  address  in  their  cap- 
ture. At  first  the  males  only  arrive,  but  without  appear- 
ing in  flocks ;  their  mates  are  yet  behind,  and  their  social 
delight  is  incomplete.  They  appear  to  feel  this  tempora- 
ry bereavement,  and  in  slirill  and  loud  notes,  they  fife  out 
their  tender  plaints,  in  quick  succession,  as  they  pry  and 
spring  through  the  shady  boughs  for  their  tiny  and  elu- 
ding prey.  They  also  now  spend  much  time  in  the  apple 
trees,  often  sipping  honey  from  the  white  blossoms  over 
which  they  wander  with  peculiar  delight,  continua^k 
roving  amidst  the  sweet  and  flowery  profusion.  The  meP 
low  whistled  notes  which  they  are  heard  to  trumpet  from 
the  high  branches  of  our  tallest  treeg  and  gigantic  elms, 


164 


OMNIVOUOUS    IIIRDS. 


resemble,  at  times,  Ushippr-tshayia  too  too,  and  some- 
times   'tshippti;  'tshippa:,  (lispingly)  too  too,  (with  the  3 
last  syllables  loud  and  full.)     These  notes  are  also  varied 
by  some  birds  so  as  to  resemble  'tsh  'tsh  'tshrdii/wo  tshoa, 
tshoo  *   also  'tsh  'tslirrfd  'tslicfa  'tsJiafd,  tshoo,  and  'k'tiif 
a  tuf  a  tlif  a  tea  Urrif  ;t  another  bird  I  have  occasionally 
heard  to  call  for  hours,  with  some  little  variation,   tu,  teo 
teoteotoo  in  a  loud,  querulous,  and  yet  almost  ludicronsly 
merry  strain.     At  other  intervals,  the  sensations  of  soli- 
tude seem  to  stimulate  sometimes  a  loud  and  interrogato- 
ry note,  echoed  forth  at  intervals,  as,  k'rnj  hrry  7   and 
terminating  plaintively  kWnj  k'rry  k'rnj  'tu,  the  voice 
falling  off  very  slenderly  in  the  last  long  syllabic,  which 
is  apparently  an  imitation   from  the  Cardinal  Grosbeak, 
and  tho  rest  is  derived  from  the  Crested  Titmouse  whom 
they  have  already  h-  ird  in  concert  as  they  passed  through 
the  warmer  states.     Another  interrogatory  strain  which  I 
heard  here  in  the  spring  of  18'.$0  was  precisely,   'yyp 
'k'rry,  'yyp,  'yyp  k'rry,  very  loud  and  oft  repeated.  Anoth- 
er male  went  in  his  ordinary  key,  tshtrry  tskerry,  tMp- 
cc  tsh'rry,  notes  copied  from  the  exhaustless  stock  of  the 
Carolina  Wren  (also  heard  on  his  passage),  but  modulated 
to  suit  the  fancy  of  our  vocalist.     The  female  likewise 
sing?,  but  less  agreeably  than  the  male.     One  which  I  had 
Sbundant  opportunity  of  observing,  while  busied  in  the  toil 
of  weaving  her  complicated  nest,  every  now  and  then,  as  a 
relief  from  the  drudgery  in  which  she  was  solely  engaged, 
sung,  in  a  sort  of  querulous  and  rather  plaintive  strain,  the 
strange,  uncouth  syllables,  'kd  hd  'kowd,  keka  keka,  the 
lal  tones  loud  and  vaulting,  which  I  have  little  doubt  were 


*  Thefirstaof  thoBonQles  aro  dorivod  from  the   Summer    Yellow  Bird,  Umugh 

"";  'rItTH:lr.::d  and  ..^.....^X..  m  namuve.  a„d the  .a.U„.al,U  tonde, 
end  echoing. 


»,  and  some- 
,  (with  the  2 
e  also  varied 
eetsliuo  (a/ioo, 
00,  and  'fc'tuf 

occasionally 
lion,  tu,  teo 
stludicronsly 
tions  of  soli- 
1  intorrogato- 

kd-n/  ?   and 
'in,  the  voice 
liable,  which 
lal  Grosbeak, 
tniouse  whom 
assed  through 
strain  which  I 
recisely,    'yyp 
leated.  Anoth- 
f sherry,  t ship- 
is  stock  of  the 
but  modulated 
smale  likewise 
le  which  I  had 
isied  in  the  toil 

and  then,  as  a 
solely  engaged, 
itive  strain,  the 
keko  ki'kn,  the 
ittle  doubt  were 

Yellow  Bird,  though 
the  laX  syllable  tonitet 


baltimoue  oRioi  e,  or  golden  robin. 


155 


an  imitation  of  the  discordant  notes  of  some  South  Ameri- 
can bird.  For  many  day.n  she  continued  this  tune  at  inter- 
vals without  any  variation.  The  male,  also  while  seeking 
his  food  in  the  same  tree  with  his  mate,  or  while  they  are 
both  attendintr  on  their  unfledged  brood,  calls  frequently 
in  a  low  friendly  whisper  'twait,  'tw'it.  Indeed,  all  the 
individuals  of  cither  sex,  appear  pertinaciously  to  adhere 
for  weeks  to  the  same  quaint  syllables  which  they  have 
accidentally  collected. 

This  bird  then,  like  the  Starling,  appears  to  havcataste 
for  miniickry,  or  rather  for  sober  imitation.  A  Cardinal 
Grosbeik  happening,  very  unusually,  to  pay  us  a  visit, 
his  harmonious  and  bold  whistle  struck  upon  the  ear  of  a 
Baltimore  with  great  delight,  and  from  that  moment  his 
ordinary  notes  were  laid  aside  for  'wait  'wait  ten,  and 
other  phrases  previously  <breign  to  him  for  that  season. 
I  have  likewise  heard  another  individual  exactly  imitating 
the  soft  and  somewhat  plaintive  int  i/ii,  vit  yiu  of  the  same 
bird,  and  in  the  next  breath  the  peiit,  or  call  of  Wilson's 
Thrush ;  also,  at  times  the  earnest  song  of  the  Robin. 
Indeed  his  variations  and  imitations  have  sometimes  led 
me  to  believe  that  I  heard  several  new  and  melodious 
birds,  and  I  was  only  undeceived  when  I  beheld  his  bril- 
liant livery.  So  various,  in  fact,  are  the  individual  phrases 
chanted  by  this  restless  and  lively  bird,  that  it  it  scarcely 
possible  to  fix  on  any  characteristic  notes  by  which  he  may 
be  recognised  ;  his  singular,  loud,  and  almost  plaintive  tone, 
and  a  fondness  for  harping  long  on  the  same  string,  are 
perhaps  more  peculiar  than  any  particular  syllables,  which, 
he  may  be  heard  to  utter.  When  alarmed  or  offendel 
at  being  too  closely  watched  or  approached,  they  both  ut- 
ter an  angry,  rattling  tshertsh'r,  or  hiss,  tsh'  tsh'  tsh'  'tsh. 


r 


156 


OMNIVOROUS    BinDS. 


The  beautiful  Baltimore  bird  i-  only  one  of  the  tribe  of 
true  Irtrri,  which,  except  the  present  and  following  spe- 
cies, remain  within  the  tropical  regions,  or  only  migrate 
to  short  distances  in  the  rainy  season.     Ours  wing  their 
way  even  into  Canada,  and  breed  in  every  intermediate 
region  to  the  table  land  of  Mexico.     A  yellow  Brazilian 
species  of  the  section  of  this  genus  called   Cassirus,  ac- 
cording to  Waterton,  inhabits  also  Demerara,  where,  like 
our  bird,  he  familiarly  weaves  his  pendulous  nest  near  the 
planter's  house,  suspending  it  from  the  drooping  branches 
of  trees,  and  so  low  that  it  may  be  readily  looked  into  even 
by  the  incurious.     Omnivorous  like  the  Starling,  it  feeds 
equally  on  insects,   fruits,   and    seeds.     It  is  called  the 
Mocking-bird,  and  for  hours  together,  in  gratitude  as  it 
were  for  protection,   he  serenades  the  inhabitants  with 
his  imitative  notes.     His  own  song,  though  short,  is  sweet 
and   melodious.      But   hearing    perhaps    the    yelping  of 
the  Toucan,   he  drops  his  native  strain  to  imitate  it,  or 
place  it  in  ridicule    by  contrast.     Again,   he  gives  the 
cackling  cries  of  the  Woodpecker,  the  bleating  of  the 
sheep;  — an  interval  of  his  own  melody,  then  probably 
a  puppy  dog,  or  a  Guinea  fowl,  receives  his  usual  atten- 
tion ;   and  the  whole  of  this  mimickry  is  accompanied  by 
antic  gestures,  indicative  of  the  sport  and  company  which 
these  vagaries  afford  him.     Hence  we  see  that  the  mim- 
icking talent  of  the  Stare  is  inherent  in  this  branch  of  the 
gregarious  family,  and  our  own   Baltimore,  in  a  humbler 
style,  is  no  less  delighted  with  the  notes  of  his  neighbour- 
ing feathered  songsters. 
Jjtfb  There  is  nothing  more  remarkable  in  the  whole  instinct 
^f  our  Golden  Robin  than  the  ingenuity  displayed  in  the 
fabrication  of  its  nest,  which  is,  in  fact,  a  pendulous,  cy- 
lindric  j.ouchofS  to  7  inches  in  depth,  usually  suspended 
from  nea   the  extremities  of  the  high,  drooping  branches  of 


e  of  the  tribe  of 
1  following  spe- 
or  only  migrate 
)urs  wing  their 
ry  intermediate 
cllow  Brazilian 
d  Cassirus,  ac- 
ara,  where,  like 
>us  nest  near  the 
ooping  branches 
looked  into  even 
karling,  it  feeds 
It  is  called  the 
I  gratitude  as  it 
nhabitants  with 
;h  short,  is  sweet 

the    yelping  of 

to  imitate  it,  or 
n,   he  gives  the 

bleating  of  the 
,   then  probably 

his  usual  atten- 
accompanied  by 

company  which 
'.e  that  the  mim- 
his  branch  of  the 
re,  in  a  humbler 
of  his  neighbour- 

le  whole  instinct 
displayed  in  the 
a  pendulous,  cy- 
sually  suspended 
)ping  branches  of 


BALTIMORE    OniOLE,  OB  GOLDEN  nOBIN.  lo7 

trees,  (such  as  the  elm,   the  penr,  or  appie-trec,  wild- 
cherry,  weeping-willow,    tulip-tree,  or  button-wood.)     !♦. 
is  begun  by  firmly  fastening  natural  strings  of  the  flax  of 
the  silk-weed,*  or  swamp-holyhock,  t  or  stout   artificial 
threads,  round  two  or  more  forked  twigs,   corresponding 
to  the  intended  width  and  depth  of  the  nest.      Witii  the 
aamfi  materials,  willow  down,  or  any  accidental  ravellings, 
strings,  thread,  sewing-silk,  tow,  or  wool,  that  may  be  lying 
near  the  neighbouring  houses,  or  round  the  grafts  of  trees, 
they  interweave  and  fabricate  a  sort  of  coarse  cloth  into 
the  form  intended  ;  towards  the  bottom  of  which  they  place 
the  real  nest,  made  chiefly  of  lint,  wiry  grass,  horse  and 
cow  hair,  sometimes,  in  defect  of  hair,  lining  the  interior 
with  a  mixture  of  slender  strips  of  smooth  vine  bark,  and 
rarely   with  a  few   feathers,    the  whole   being  of  a  con- 
siderable thickness,  and  more  or  less  attached  to  the  ex- 
ternal pouch.     Over  the  top,  the  leaves,  as  they  grow  out, 
form  a  verdant  and  agreeable  canopy,  defending  the  young 
from  the  sun  and  rain.     There  is  sometimes  a  considera- 
ble difference  in  the  manufacture  of  these  nests,  as  well 
as  in  the  materials  which  enter  into  their   composition. 
Both  sexes  seem  to  be  equally  adepts  at  this  sort  of  labor, 
and  I  have  seen  the  female  alone  perform  the  whole  with- 
out  any  assistance,  and  the  male  also  complete  this  labo- 
rious task  nearly  without  the  aid  of  his  consort ;   who, 
however,  in  general,  is  the  principal  worker.     T  have  ob^ 
served  a  nest  made  almost  wholly  of  tow,  which  was  laid 
out  for  the  convenience  of  a  male  bird  ;  who,  with  this  aid, 
completed  his  iabor  in  a  very  short  time,   and  frequently 
sung  in  a  very  ludicrous  manner,  while   his  mouth  was 
loaded   with  a  mass  larger  than  his  head.     So  eager  are 
they  to  obtain  fibrous  materials,  that  they  will  readily  tug 


m 


*  •^tdepiaa  speciea. 


f  TFibiscui  palastrh. 


14 


158 


OMNIVOROUS    niRDS. 


at,  and  oven  untie,  hard  knots  made  of  tovj.     In  A»i<li!- 
bon's  majTniticent  plates,  a  nest  is  rcpre'enletl  i.>  forme  1 
outwardl)   of  the  Long-Moss  ;  *   where  this  ubounds,  of 
course,  tin-  hibor  of  obtaining  materials  must  he  greatly 
abridged.      The    author    iike\vit<:     remark:^,     iiidt    the 
whole   fabric  consists   almost   entirely  of  -  s  is  material, 
loosely    interwoven,  without    any    warm   lining,  a  labor 
which  our  ing  nsious  artist  peems  aware  would  be  super- 
fluous in  th<!  warm  forests  of  the  lower  Mi^isisiippi.     A 
female,  which  1  observed  atter  tively,  carried  off  to  her  nest 
a  piece  of  lamp-wick  10  or  12  feet  long.    This  lor.g  string, 
and  many  other  shorter  ones,  were  le";   hangii>.'|  out  for 
-iboiit  a  week  before  both  the  ends,  were  wattU^i  into  the 
ic'.cs  of  th..  ijest.     Some  other  little  birds,  making  use  of 
■similar   materials,  at  times  twitched  these  flowing  ends, 
ind  generally  brought  out  the  busy  Baltimore  from  her 
occupiition  in  great  anger. 

I  may  perhaps  claim  indulgence  for  adding  a  little  more 
on  the  biography  of  this  particular  birc!    as  a  representa- 
tive also  of  the  instinct  of  her  race,      bhc  completed  the 
nest  in  about  a  week's  time,  without  any  aid  from  her 
mate  ;  who,  indeed,  appeared  but  seldom  in  her  company, 
and  was  now  become  nearly  silent.     For  fibrous  materials, 
she  broke,  hackled,  and  gathered  the  flax  of  the  Asdrpias 
and   Hibiseus  stalks,  tearing  off  long  strings,  and  flying 
with  them  to   the   scene  of  her  labors.     She  appeared 
very  eager  and  hasty  in  her  pursuits,  and  collected  her 
materials,  without  fear  or  restraint,  while  three  men  were 
workmg  in  the  neighbouring  walks,  and  many  persons 
visiting  the  garden.     Her  courage  and  perseverance  were 
indeed  truly  admirable.     If  watched  too  narrowly,   she 


*  TiUandsia  umeoidcs. 


BALTIMORE  ORIOLE,  OR  OOLDFN  RODIN. 


15U 


iw.  In  Andu- 
iileil  T  •  forme. 1 
16  abounds,  o» 
)ust  be  tMeatly 
■k'j),     ilut    the 

•lis  material, 
lining,  a  labor 
•oiiUl  be  super- 
Jississippi.  A 
I  off  to  her  nest 
his  long  string, 
angii  ..;  out  for 
vattlf(i  into  the 

making  use  of 
e  flowing  ends, 
more  from  her 

ing  a  little  more 
is  a  representa- 
D  completed  the 
iv  aid  from  her 
in  her  company, 
brous  materials, 
of  the  Asclrpias 
rings,  and  flying 
She  appeared 
id  collected  her 
three  men  were 
d  many  persons 
rseverance  were 
5  narrowly,  she 


saluted  with  her  usual  scolding  'tsher,  'tslirr,  'tshrr, 
seeing  no  reason,  probably,  why  she  should  bo  interrupt- 
ed in  her  indispensable  occupation. 

Though  the  males  were  now  comparatively  silent  on  the 
arrival  of  tiieir  busy  mates,  I  could  not  help  observing 
this     male,  and  a  second,   continually  vociferating,  ap- 
parently in  strife.     At  last,  she  was  observed  to  attack 
this  fnoiifl  female  very  fiercely,  who  slyly  intruded  her- 
self at  times  into  the  same  tree  wiicre  shj  wns  building. 
These  contests  were  angry  and  often    repeated.     To  ac- 
count for  tliis  animosity,  I  now  recollected,  that  two  fine 
males  bad  been  killed  in   our  vicinity  ;  and  I  therefore 
concluded  the  intruder  to  be  left  withoul  a  mate ;  yet  she 
had  gained  the  affection  of  the  consort  of  the  busy  female, 
and  thus  the  cause  of  this  jealous  quarrel  became  appa- 
rent.    Having  obtained  the  confidence  of  her  faithless 
paramour,  the  sccund  female  began  preparing  to  weave  a 
nest  in  an  adjoining  Elm,  by  tying  together  certain  pen- 
dant  twigs   as  a  foundation.     The  male  now  associated 
chiefly  with  the  intruder  whom  he  even  rssisted  in  her 
labor,  yet  did  not  wholly  forget  his  first  partner,  who  call- 
ed on  him  one  evening  in  a  low  affectionate  tone,  which 
was  answered  in  the  same  strain.     While  they  were  thus 
engaged  in  friendly  whispers,  suddenly  appeared  the  ri- 
val, and  a  violent  rencontre   ensued,  so  that  one  of  the 
females  appeared  to  be  greatly   agitated,   and   flattered 
with  spreading  wings  as  if  considerably  hurt.     The  male, 
though  prudently  neutral  in  the  contest,  showed  his  cul- 
pable partiality  by  flying  off"  with  his  paramour  ;  and  for 
the  rest  of  the  evening  left  the  tree  to  his  pugnacious 
consort.     Cares  of  another  kind,  more  imperious  and  ten- 
der, at  length  reconciled,  or  at  least,  terminated  these 
disputes  with  the  jealous  females  ;    and  by  the  aid  of  the 
neighbouring  bachelors,  who  are  never  wanting  among 


160 


OMNivonoi'M  ninna. 


these  and  other  birds,  peace,  at  length,  was  completely 
restored,  by  the  restitution  of  tiio  (niict  and  happy  condi- 
tion of  monogamy.  We  therefore  perceive,  that  though 
the  quarrels  of  jealousy  arc  usually  confined  to  the 
bosoms  of  the  mali's  among  birds,  yet  under  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances the  females  are  far  from  passive  ;  and  though 
this  spring  (1830)  I  witnessed  many  contests  with  the 
other  sex,  the  country  teeming  with  these  beautiful  birds, 
yet  tiie  war  was  only  threatening  and  predatory,  compar- 
ed with  the  close  combats  of  these  of  the  weaker  sex. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  usually  4  or  5,  white,  with 
a  faint,  indistinct  tint  of  bluish,   and  marked,  cliiefly  at 
the    greater  end,  though    .sometimes    scatteringly,    with 
straggling,  serpentine,  dark   brown  lines  and  spots,  and 
fainter  hair  streaks,*  looking  sometimes  almost  like  real 
hair,  and  occasionally  lined  only,  and  without  the  spots. 
The  period  of  incubation  is  14  days.t  In  Louisiana,  accord- 
ing to  Audubon,  they  frequently  raise  two  broods  in  the 
season,  arriving  in  that  country  with  tlie  opening  of  the 
early  spring.     Here  they  raise  but  a  SMigle  brood,  whose 
long  and  tedious  support  in  their  lofty  cradle  absorbs  their 
whole  attention  ;  and  at  this  interesting  period,  they  seem, 
as  it  were,  to  live  only  to  protect,  cherish,  and  educate 
their  young.     The  first  and  general  cry  which  the  infant 
brood  utter  while  yet  in  the  nest,  and  nearly  able  to  take 
wing,  as  well  as  for  some  days  after,  is  a  kind  of  Te-did, 
te-did,  te-did,  kai-te-te-did,  or  'te  'te  'tS  He.  'tt  't-did,  which 
becomes   clamorous  as  the  parents  approao.i  them  with 
food.     They   soon  also  acquire   the  scolding  rattle  and 
short  notes  which  they  probably  hear  around  them,  such 
as  Peet  wiet,  the  cry  of  the  spotted  Sandpiper,  and  others, 


*  Tlio  eggs  which  I  have  uea  do  not  reiemblo  Wilson's  6gure,  plate  4 ;  tliaugb 
tliey  iniiy  viiry  as  much. 
I  Audubon,  vol.  i.  p.  68, 


'as  completely 
1  hnppy  condi- 

0,  that  though 
iifincd  to  the 
}r  peculiar  cir- 
e ;  and  though 
itests  with  the 
aeautiful  birds, 
atory,  compar- 
I'caker  sex. 

5,  white,  with 
kcd,  cliiefly  at 
iterinijly,  with 
and  spots,  and 
Imost  like  real 
liout  the  spots, 
lisiiina,  accord- 
o  broods  in  the 
opening  of  the 
3  brood,  whose 
le  absorbs  their 
iod,  they  seem, 

1,  and  educate 
■Inch  the  infant 
rly  able  to  take 
kind  of  Te-did, 
'ti  't-did,  which 
lac.i  them  with 
ling  rattle  and 
und  them,  such 
iper,  and  others, 

Sgure,  plate  4 ;  Uioogli 


n.M.TIMOUE  OBIOLE,  OH  GOLDEN  ROHIN. 


IGl 


and  long  continue  to  be  assiduously  fed  and  guarded  by 
their  very  atfectionatc  and  devoted  parents.  Unfortunately, 
this  contrivance  of  instinct  to  secure  the  airy  nest  from 
the  depredations  of  thieving  and  rapacious  nionk<'ys,  and 
other  animals  which  frequent  trees  in  warm  or  mild  climates, 
is,  also,  occasionally  attended  with  serious  accidents,  when 
the  young  escape  before  obtaining  the  perfect  use  of  their 
wings.  Thoy  cling,  however,  with  great  tenacity,  either  to 
the  nest  or  neighbouring  twigs ;  yet  sometimes  they  fall 
to  the  ground  ;  and,  if  not  killed  on  the  spot,  soon  become 
a  prey  to  numerous  enemies.  On  such  occasions  it  is 
painful  to  hear  the  plaints  and  wailing  cries  of  the  parents. 
And  when  real  danger  oflTers,  the  generous  and  brilliant 
male,  though  much  the  less  querulous  of  the  two,  steps  in 
to  save  his  brood  at  every  hazard  ;  and  I  have  known  one  so 
bold  in  this  hopeless  defence,  as  to  suflcr  himself  to  be 
killed,  by  a  near  approach  with  a  stick,  rather  than  desert 
the  offspring,  in  whose  existence  and  safety  his  life  seem- 
ed absorbed.  Sometimes,  after  this  misfortune,  or  when 
the  fell  cat  has  devoured  the  helpless  brood,  day  after  day 
the  disconsolate  parents  continue  to  wail  their  irretrieva- 
ble loss.  They  almost  forget  to  cat  amidst  their  distress, 
and  after  leaving  the  unhappy  neighbourhood  of  their 
bereavement  and  fruitless  toil,  they  still  come,  at  inter- 
vals, to  visit  and  lament  over  the  fatal  spot,  as  if  spell- 
bound by  despair.  If  the  season  be  not  too  far  advanced, 
the  loss  of  their  eggs  is  generally  soon  repaired  by  con- 
structing a  second  nest,  in  which,  however,  the  eggs  are 
fewer. 

The  true  Oriole  (O.  galbula),  which  migrates  into 
Africa,  and  passes  the  breeding  season  in  the  centre  of 
Europe,  also  makes  a  pendulous  nest,  and  displays  great 
courage  in  the  defence  of  its  young,  being  so  attached  to 
its  progeny,  that  the  female  has  been  taken  and  conveyed 
14* 


168 


OMNIVOIUll  n    BIRDS. 


to  n  cage  on  her  eggs,  nn  wliicli,  with  resoltun   and  fatnl 
infliH<<t    .Ot(.   .-^muined  fuithfuly  sittii.?  until  she  ex;)ired. 
Thu  »!  iliimort  Itird,  thougli  I'lUirnlly  why  and  suspicioiiB, 
urobab!)    <  .  £;ieaterheciirity  Ironi  mort'  dangerous  encinieB, 
s;onerally  cbooses  Tor  bis  nost  the  birgcst  and  tallewt  spread- 
ing  Uxtjs  near  Carm-liouHcs,  and  along  lr»Miuenttd  lanes  and 
roads  ;  and  trusting  to  the  inaccessiblonss  of  bis  ingenious 
man:«ion,  be  works  fearlessly,   and   scarcely  studies  con- 
cealment.    But,  as  '■<■  <  r     young  arc  batcbcd,  here, 
towards  the  close  ot  June,  the  whole  i.iinily  begin  to  leave 
the  immediate  neiglibourbood  of  their  cares,  Hit  through 
the  woods,  a  shy,  roving,   and    nearly  silent  train ;  and 
when  ready  for  the  distant  journey  before  them,  about  the 
end  of  August  or  beginning  of  September,  the  uhole  at 
once   disappear ;  and  probably  arrive,  as  with  us,  amidst 
the  forests  of  South  Anx-rica,  in  a   scattered   flock,   and 
continue,  like  Starlings,  to  pass  the  winter  in   celibacy, 
wholly  engaged  in  gleaning  a  fpiiet  subsistence  until  the 
return  of  sprinsj;.      Then,  incited  by  instinct  to  prepare 
for   a  more   power li  '   passion,    they    again    wing    their 
way  to  the  regions  ol  the  north  ;  where,  but  for  t!.  t  won- 
derful providential  instinct  of  migration,  the  whole  race 
would  perish  in  a  singh    season.     As  the   sexes  usually 
arrive  in  dilferent  flocks,  it  is  evident,  thai   the  conjugi 
tie  teases  at  the  period  of  migration,  as  id  the  choice  of 
mates  is  renewed  with  the  seasoi  ■    during  which    the 
malc^  carry  oi.  their  jealous  disputes  with  much  t. »)■.!•  ina- 
cy.     From  the  similnrity  in  the  circumstances  of  mating 
among  most  other      igratory  birds,  ii  would  appear  that 
they  obpv  the  san      -iw,  depeii'ling  on  the  t..vnsitory  na- 
ture of  the  sex   al  feeling,  which  in  autumn  is  nearly  ai 
nihilated. 


tuR   iind  fatal 
1  «he  cx;)ired. 
lul  suxpicioufl, 
irons  enemies, 
tallest  !*prciul- 
iitLtl  Imies  nnd 
Ilia  ingenious 
^  studies  con- 
latclied,  here, 
begin  to  leave 
s,  flit  through 
lit  train  ;  and 
lem,  iibout  tlio 
r,  the  whole  at 
rith  us,  amidst 
ed    floe  I,  ,   and 
r  in   celibacy, 
ence  until  the 
ict  to  prepare 
n    wing    their 
t  fir  t'.  \  won- 
the  whole  race 
sexes  usually 
:   the  conjug  • 
i  the  choice  of 
ng  which    the 
much  t.i)"Mna- 
nces  of  mating 
uld  appear  that 
B  tifinsitory  na- 
in  is  nearly  ai 


nAI.TIMORE  ORIOLE,  OR  aOLor.N   ROBIN. 


ion 


That  ourOrii  !i'  is  not  rnmiliar  with  us,  intiopendent  of 
the  all  powerful  iiutiiral  impulse  which  he  obeys,  is  suf- 
ficiently obvious  when  he  nests  in  the  woods.  Two  of 
these  solitary  and  retiring  jiairs  had  this  summer,  contrary 
to  tlif'ir  usual  hiihits,  taken  up  their  abode  in  the  lofty 
braiuln's  of  a  gigantic  Button-wood  in  the  forest.  As 
soon  as  wo  appeared,  they  took  the  alarm,  and  remained 
uneasy  and  irritable  until  wo  were  wholly  out  of  sight. 
Others,  attain,  visit  the  heart  of  the  populous  city,  and 
pour  forth  their  wild  and  plaintive  songs  from  the  trees 
which  decorate  the  streets  and  gardens,  amid  the  din  of 
the  passing  crowd,  and  tiic  tumult  of  incessant  and 
noisy  occuiiations.  Aiuiuboii  remarks,  that  their  migra- 
tions are  performed  singly,  and  during  the  day,  and  that 
thrv  proceed  high,  and  lly  strai        and  continuous. 

The  food  of  the  Baltiuiore  appears  to  be  small  caterpil- 
lars, son  times  those  of  the  apple-trees,  some  uncommon 
kinds  ol  ueotles,  cimices,  and  small  Hies,  like  a  species 
ol  cynips.  Occ.isionally  I  have  seen  an  individual  collect- 
ing Cirintlili  by  the  si'  s  of  sandy  and  ifravelly  roads. 
They  feed  their  young  usually  with  soft  caterpillars,  which 
they  swallow,  and  disgorge  on  arriving  at  the  nest;  and 
in  '  '^  cessary  toil  both  se.ves  assiduously  unite.  They 
selu  .1  uiiilest  any  of  the  fruits  of  our  gardens,  except  a 
Pew  cherries  and  mulberries,  and  are  the  most  harmless, 
useful,  beautiful,  and  common  birds  of  the  country. 
Th'  <?,  ho  I'ver,  accused  of  sometimes  accompanying 
then  iig   to    ti.f    garden    peas,    which    they    devour 

while  small  i  green,  and,  being  now  partly  gregarious, 
the  damage  th*  y  commit  is  at  times  rendered  visible. 
Occasionally  they  are  seen  in  cages,  being  chiefly  fed 
on  soaked  bread,  or  meal  nnd  water  ;  they  appear  also 
fond  of  chi  rries,  strawber  currants,  raisins,  and  fig 

so  that  we  may  justly  con8i<i      them,  like  the  Cassicans 


164 


OMNIVOROIH    Il'UnP. 


and  Htarlings,  n«  oinnivoroiiH,  thougli  in  a  Icsh  degree.* 
They  ninj,',  ami  appear  lively  in  conrincmenf  or  domestica- 
tion, and  l)econic  very  docile,  playful,  and  friendly,  even 
going  in  and  out  of  ••  le  Iiouhc,  and  somelinies  ulijjhting  at 
a  whistle  on  the  hnnd  of  their  protector.  The  youn|?,  for 
a  w'  .e,  reipiire  to  he  fed  on  animal  food  alone,  and  tho 
most  suitable  appears  to  ho  fresh  minced  meat,  «oakcd 
in  new  milk.  In  this  way  they  may  be  easily  railed  al- 
most from  the  first  hatching;  but  at  this  time  vegclablo 
substances  appear  to  utlord  th-  m  no  kind  of  nutrition, 
and  at  all  times  they  will  thrive  better,  if  indulged  with  a 
little  animal  food  or  insects,  as  well  as  hard-boiled  eggs. 

Tlie  Bnltiinoro  Bird  is  7  inoliea  in  lengtii ;  tho  bill  bluisii  black. 
Exterior  edgPH  ofllie  grcftter  wing-coverts,  edged  of  the  Bt-condarifB, 
and  pnrt  of  thoae  of  the  primaries,  white.  The  tail  fiiitherH  under 
the  covertN,  orange ;  the  2  middle  ones  from  thence  to  the  tipB,  black  ; 
the  next  5  on  each  Hide  black  ni'.ir  tlie  covert,  and  orange  towards 
the  extreiriitien.  Legs  ond  feet  lend -color.  The  iris,  hiixel.  —  The 
white  on  tin-  wing-covertH  in  the  femtitt  in  yellowinh  ;  the  under  parts, 
milsobrilliantar.  orange,  approaching  «cnrlet  on  the  breast,  are,  in  thi» 
sex  much  duller;  the  bark  also  of  u  dull  black,  and  each  feather 
skirted  with  olive  yellow.  The  wing-feat  lu-rs  of  a  deep  dirty  brown. 
The  tail  olive  yellow  ;  but  lu  others,  according  to  age,  the  2  middle 
feathers  become  partially  or  wholly  black.  Some  of  the  wairs  which 
arrive  in  the  spring  luu  ■  he  tail  wholly  yellow;  at  times,  only  the 
2  middle  feutiiers  black,  and  frc  .piently  the  bliirk  on  the  bark  is  still 
skirted  with  orange,  and  the  tail  tipped  with  the  same  lor.  It 
would  therefore  appear  that  2  or  ^  seasons  are  requisite  to  complete 
the  plumage  of  this  brilliant  bird.  The  male  moults,  before  hii 
departure,  into  the  same  brilliant  dress  in  which  he  arrives. 


•  Tho  true  Oriole,  ncnrcely  distinct  from  our  yirto,  livsi  upon  inueta,  in  very 
fond  of  cherrioi  mid  IVesb  flg>,  anil  will  alio  eat  jioaa. 


I  Ip»m  (Irgrpc* 
or  iloniestica- 
friendly,  even 
CH  uli){htiiig  at 
riio  young,  for 
ilonc,  an<l  tho 
meat,  -^oakcd 
iwily  mixed  nl- 
time  vcjff  inblo 
d  of  nutrition, 
ulnlged  with  a 
il-boilcd  <>ggs. 

)ill  bliiiitli  hinck. 
f  the  HfcoiKinries, 
lil-fi'iithiTN  under 
.0  tliH  ti|>8,  blnck  ; 
1  oriinjre  townrdM 
ris,  liiizcl.  —  The 

;  thH  iintler  parts, 
hrenHt,are,in  thi« 

and  each  feather 
deep  dirty  brown, 
agr,  llie  2  middle 
f  the  malfs  which 
at  timeH,  only  the 
n  the  hark  is  still 
samf^  Jor.  It 
uisite  to  complete 
loults,  before  hig 
!  arrives. 

ipoD  ininetf,  in  very 


iruniova  or  orcuaru  oriole.  165 


SPURIOUS  OR  OlUMrARD  ORIOLE. 

{hlerus  spvriiig,  ]Jo!«.\p.  Oriulu*  npiiriun,  Lin.  WiLiii!*,  i.  p.  04.  pi. 
4.  fig.  I.  [f.'innl«vj  fig.  a.  [a  male  of  ii  years]  fig.  !l.  [a  male  of  3 
ytwirH.J  fig.  4.  [the  adult  mala.]  Audubon,  pi.  4!<.  rhilud.  Muse- 
uin.  No.  IWW.) 

8p.  CiunAri.  —  Tail  wedge-formed— JJf(//e  bright  chesnut ;  tlie 
head  and  neck,  back,  wings,  and  tail,  iilack.  —  Fniiiilc  and  ijming 
of  one  year,  yellow  olive,  inclining  to  brown,  beneiitli  yellow; 
wings  and  tail  dusky  brown.  —  The  ijoiiiig  male  of  more  thnnon* 
year,  the  same,  but  with  the  throat  black. 

This  sniallrr  niid  plainer  species  lias  many  of  the  hntv 
ilH  of  tlie  precediui,',  and  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about 
a  week  later.  They  enter  tho  soutliern  houndary  of  tho 
United  States  early  in  March,  and  remain  there  until  Oc- 
tober.* They  do  not  however,  I  believe,  often  migrate 
farther  north  and  ea.st,  than  the  state  of  Connecticut. 
I  have  never  seen  or  heard  of  them  in  Mncsachusetts, 
any  more  liian  my  scientific  friend,  and  a  clo.se  ob.servei*, 
Mr.  C.  Pirkering.  Their  stay  in  the  United  States,  it 
appears  iVom  Wilson,  is  little  more  than  4  months;  as 
they  retire  to  South  America  early  in  September,  or,  at 
least,  do  not  winter  in  the  Southern  States.  According 
to  my  friend  Mr.  Ware,  they  breed  at  Augusta,  in  Georgia; 
and  Mr.  Say  observed  the  Orchard  Oriole  at  Major 
Long's  winter  quarters  on  the  banks  of  the  Missouri.  Au- 
dubon has  also  observed  the  species  towards  the  sources 
of  the  Mississippi,  as  well  as  in  the  state  of  Maine.  The 
same  author  likewise  remarks,  that  their  northern  migra- 
tions, like  those  of  the  Baltimore  Bird,  are  performed  by 
day,  and  that  the  males  arrive  a  week  or  ten  day-^  sooner 


*  Audubon'i  Ornithological  Biugraphy,  vol.  i.  p.  8S4. 


106 


OMNIVOBOtJS   BIROS. 


than  their  mates.  They  appear  to  affect  the  elevated  and 
airy  regions  of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  where  they  are 
much  more  numerous  than  the  Baltimore. 

The  Orchard  Oriole  is  an  exceedingly  active,  sprightly, 
and  restless  bird ;  in  the  same  instant  almost,  he  is  on 
the  ground  after  some  fallen  insect,  fluttering  amidst  the 
foliage  of  the  trees,  prying  and  springing  after  his  lurking 
prey,  or  iiying,  and  tuning  his  lively  notes,  in  a  manner 
so  hurried,  rapid,  and  seemingly  confused,  that  the  ear  is 
scarce  able  to  thread  out  the  shrill  and  lively  syllables  of 
his  agitated  ditty.  Between  these  hurried  attempts,  he  also 
gives  others,  which  are  distinct  and  agreeable  ;  but  still,  his 
tones  are  neither  so  full  nor  so  mellow  as  those  of  the  brill- 
iant and  gay  Baltimore.  In  choosing  the  situation  of  his 
nest  he  is  equally  familiar  with  that  bird,  and  seems  to  enjoy 
the  general  society  of  his  species,  suspending  his  most  in- 
genious and  pensile  fabric  from  the  bending  twig  of  the 
apple-tree,  which,  like  the  nest  of  the  other,  is  constructed 
in  the  form  of  a  pouch  from  3  to  5  inches  in  depth,  ac- 
cording to  the  strength  or  flexibility  of  the  tree  on  which  he 
labors ;  so  t'.at  in  a  weeping-willow,  according  to  Wilson, 
the  nest  is  one  or  two  inches  deeper,  than  if  in  an  apple- 
tree,  to  obviate  the  danger  of  throwing  out  the  eggs  and 
young  by  the  sweep  of  the  long,  pendulous  branches. 
It  is,  likewise,  slighter,  as  the  crowding  leaves  of  that 
tree  afford  a  natural  shelter  of  considerable  thickness. 
That  economy  of  this  ku  I  should  be  studied  by  the 
Orchard  Oriole,  will  scarcely  surprise  so  much,  as  the 
laborious  ingenuity,  and  beautiful  tissue  of  its  nest.  It 
is  made  exteriorly  of  a  fine  woven  mat  of  long,  tough,  and 
flexible  grass,  as  if  darned  with  a  needle.  The  form  is 
hemispherical,  and  the  inside  is  lined  with  downy  sub- 
stances ;  sometimes  the  wool  of  the  seeds  of  the  Button- 
wood,  forming  thus  a  commodious  and  soft  bed  for  the 


• 


m^ 


..^     ..  .^■^r^.,^^^,.,,^. 


SPURIOUS  OR  ORCHARD  ORIOLE. 


167 


;hc  elevated  and 
wlierc  they  are 

.ctive,  sprightly, 
linost,  he  is  on 
ring  amidst  the 
ifter  his  lurking 
38,  in  a  manner 
I,  that  the  ear  is 
vely  syllables  of 
ittenipts,  he  also 
lie  ;  but  still,  his 
hose  of  the  brill- 
situation  of  his 
d  seems  to  enjoy 
ling  his  most  in- 
ling  twig  of  the 
r,  is  constructed 
s  in  depth,  ac- 
ree  on  which  he 
ding  to  Wilson, 
1  if  in  an  apple- 
ut  the  eggs  and 
lulous  branches. 
r  leaves  of  that 
rable  thickness, 
studied  by  the 
so  much,  as  the 
of  its  nest.  It 
long,  tough,  and 
3.  The  form  is 
ith  downy  sub- 
s  of  the  Button- 
;oft  bed  for  the 


■ 


■ 


young.     This  precaution  of  a  warm  lining,  as  in  the  pre- 
ceding species,  is,  according  to  Audubon,  dispensed  with 
in   the    warm    climate  of    Louisiana.      The  eggs    are 
4  or  5,  of  a  very  pale  bluish  tint,  with  a  few  points  of 
brown,  and  spots  of  dark  purple,  chiefly  disposed  at  the 
greater  end.     The  female  sits  about  14  days;  and  the 
young  continue  in  the  nest  10  days  before  they  become 
qualified  to  flit  along  with  their  parents ;  but  they  are  gen- 
erally seen  abroad  about  the  middle  of  June.     Previously 
to  their  departure,  the  young,  leaving  the  care  of  their 
parents,  become  gregarious,  and  assemble  sometimes  in 
flocks  of  separate  sexes,  from  30  to  40  or  upwards  ;  in 
the  south  frequenting  the  savannahs,  feeding  much  on 
crickets,  grasshoppers,  and  spiders ;    and  at  this  season 
their  flesh  is  much  esteemed  by  the  inhabitants.*     Wil- 
son found  them  easy  to  raise  from  the  nest,  but  does  not 
say  on  what  they  were  fed,  though  they  probably  require 
the  same  treatment  as  the  Baltimore  Oriole.     According 
to  Audubon,  they  sing  with  great  liveliness  in  cages,  be- 
ing fed  on  rice   and  dry   fruits,   when  fresh   cannot  be 
procured.     Their  ordinary  diet,  it  appears,  is  caterpillars 
and  insects,  of  which  they  destroy  great  quantities.     In 
the  course  of  the   season  they   likewise  feed  on  various 
kinds  of  juicy  fruits  and  berries,  but  their  depredations 
on  the  fruits  of  the  orchard  are  very  unimportant. 

The  Orchard  Oriole  is  about  CJ  inches  in  length.  The  bill  and 
legs  of  the  same  color  nearly  as  in  the  preceding  species  ;  the  former, 
however,  is  a  little  bent,  and  very  sharp  at  the  point.  The  iris  ha- 
zel The  male,  in  the  3d  year,  is  mottled  on  the  upper  parts  of  the 
back  with  black  and  olive,  and  on  thy  belly,  sides,  and  breast  the 
reddish  ba;  begins  irregularly  to  appear,  blended  with  yellow  ;  and 
generally  the  2  middle  feathers  of  the  tail  are  black,  the  others  being 
centered  with  the  same  color. 


*  Audubon's  Ornithological  EiOgraphy,  vol.  i.  p  ^4. 


168 


0MNIVOKOU8   BIRDS. 


Subgenus — Xanthornus.   {Cuv,  Bonap.) 

With  the  bill  robust  and  straight,  horizontally  flattened  above,  and 
the  frontal  sinus  ending  in  an  acute  but  shallow  angle.  —  The  female 
somewhat  less  than  the  male.  These  birds  are  constantly  gregari- 
ous, and  live  chiefly  in  meadows,  or  round  open  bushy  swamps. 
They  feed  principally  on  insects  and  seeds ;  build  in  society,  and 
construct  convenient,  but  not  very  artful  nests. 


lonap.) 

ttened  above,  and 
le.  —  The  female 
nstantly  gregari- 
»  bushy  swamps. 
id  in  society,  and 


RED-WINGED  BLACK-BIRD. 

(Icterus  pliiTiiiceus,  Daud.  Bo.nap.  Acdubo.v,  pi.  C7.  [the  male  a 
small  specimen].  Sturnus prailiitorivs,  Wilson,  4.  p.  30.  pi.  30.  fig. 
1.  [male  in  summer  dress],  fig.  2  [female].  Pliilad.  Museum,  No 
i46C,  14C7.) 

Sp.    CiiARACT.  —  Black;     lesser   wing    coverts   vermilion    red. 

Youn^r  and  autaimial  mair,  above,  with  the  feathers,  skirted  with 
ferruginous.  —  fcwWe,  dusky  brown,  varied  witli  ferruginous 
and  whitish,  sometimes  also  witli  the  lesser  wing-covert;  spotted 
with  black  and  the  red  of  the  male. 

The  Red-Winged  Oriole  in  summer  inhabits  the  whole 
of  North  America  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Mexico,  and  is 
found  in  the  interior  of  the  continent  from  the  53d  degree 
of  latitude,  probably  to  the  sources  of  the  Missouri.  They 
are  migratory  north  of  Maryland,  but  pa,ss  the  winter  in 
great  numbers  in  all  the  southern  states,  frequenting 
chiefly  the  settlements  and  rice  and  corn-fields,  towards 
the  sea-coast,  where  they  move  about  like  blackening 
clouds,  rising  suddenly  at  times  with  a  noise  like  thunder, 
15 


'."m-  m'^ 


^  ■„  J 


j.yQ  OMNIVOROUS    lURDS. 

and  exhibiting  amidst  the  broad  shadows  of  their  funereal 
plumage,  the  bright  flashing  of  the  vermilion  with  which 
their  wings  are  so  singuhuly  decorated.     After  whirling  a 
little  distance,  like  the  Starling,  they  descend  as  a  torrent, 
and  darkening  the  branches  of  the  trees  by  their  numbers, 
they  commence  a  general  concert  that  may  be  heard  ior 
more  than  two  miles.     This  music  seems  to  be  something 
betwixt  chattering  and  warl)ling  ;    jingling  liquid   notes 
like  those  of  the  Bobolink  with  their  peculiar  kovg-quer- 
re?  and  hnh  a  h,  o-hnb  a  he  ;    then  complaining   chirps, 
iars    and  sounds  like  saw-filing,  or  the  motion  of  a  sign- 
board on  its  rnsty  hinge,  the  whole  constituting  a  novel  and 
sometimes  grand  chorus  of  discord  and  harmony   m  wluch 
the  ncrfor.ners  seem  in  good  earnest,  and  bristle  up  their 
feathers,  as  if  inclined,  at  least,  to  make  up  in  quantity 
what  their  sliow  of  music  may  lack  in  quality. 

When  their  food  begins  to  fail  in  the  fields,  they  as- 
semble with  the  Purple  Grakles,  very  familiarly  around 
the  corn-cribs  and  in  the  barn-yards,  greedily  and  dexter- 
ously gleaning  up  every  thing  within  their  reach.  In  the 
month  of  March.  Mr.  Bullock  found  them  very  nurnerous 
r„d  bold  near  the  city  of  Mexico,  where  they  followed 
the  mules  to  steal  a  tithe  of  the  barley  with  which  they 

C   A 

""Trom  Ihe  beginning  of  March  to  April,  according  to  the 
nature  of  the   season,   they  begin  to  visit  the  Northern 
Utes  in  scattered  parties,  flying  chiefly  in  the  morning. 
A^  they  wing  their  way  towards  the  north,  they  seem  to 
felieve  their  mutual  toil  by  friendly  chatter,  and  being  the 
Lrbingers  of  approaching  spring,  their  faults  are   orgot 
•,,  the  instant,  and  we  cannot  help  greeting  them  as  old 
acquaintances  in  spite  of  all  their  predatory  propensities. 
Selecting  their  accustomed  resort,  they  make  the  low  mead- 
ows resound  again  with  their   usual   notes,  particularly 


'■^^  ^;>-: 


"  V  ,;■. 


^(-4.:  A,  '\;S,%: 


RED-WINCJED  llLACK-inRD. 


171 


f  their  funereal 
ion  with  which 
\fter  whirling  a 
3nd  as  a  torrent, 
r  their  numbers, 
lay  be  hearil  for 
to  be  something 
iig  liquid    notes 
uliiir  koiiff-qiier- 
plaining    chirps, 
lotion  of  a  sign- 
iting  a  novel  and 
rmouy,  in  which 
1  bristle  up  their 
e  up  in  quantity 
lality. 

c  fields,  they  as- 
iuniiliarly  around 
jcdily  and  dexter- 
ir  reach.  In  the 
m  very  numerous 
ere  they  followed 
with  which  they 

1,  according  to  the 
'isitthe  Northern 
ly  in  the  morning, 
irth,  they  seem  to 
tter,  and  being  the 
ir  faults  are  forgot 
cetmg  them  as  old 
atory  propensities, 
nake  the  low  mead- 
notes,  particularly 


in  the  morning  and  evening  before  retiring  to  or  leaving  the 
roost;  previous  to  settling  themselves  for  the  night,  and 
before  parting  ir,  the  day,  they  seem  all  to  join  in  a  gene- 
ral chorus  of  liquid  warbling  tones,  which  would  be  very 
agreeable  but  for  the  interruption  of  the  plaints  and  jarring 
sounds  with  which  it  is  blended.  They  continue  to  feed  in 
small  parties  in  swamps  aud  by  slow  streams  and  ponds  till 
the  middle  or  close  of  April,  whcu  tliey  begin  to  separate 
in  pairs.  Sometimes,  however,  they  appear  to  be  partly 
polygamous,  like  their  cousins  the  Cow  Troopials,  as  amids 
a  number  of  females  engaged  in  iucubation,  but  few  of 
the  other  sex  appear  associated  witiithem  ;  and  as  among 
the  Bobolinks,  sometimes  two  or  three  of  the  males  may 
be  seen  in  chase  of  an  individual  of  the  other  sex,  but 
without  making  any  contest  or  show  of  jealous  feud  with 
each  other,  as  a  concubinage  rather  than  any  regular 
mating  seems  to  prevail  among  the  species. 

Assembled  again  in  their  native  marshes,  the  male 
perched  upon  the  summit  of  some  bush  surrounded  by 
water,  in  company  with  his  mates,  now  sings  out,  at  short 
intervals,  his  guttural  Aowif-i/i/tV-yvT,  sharply  calls  t'tsheah, 
or,  when  disturbed,  plaintively  utters  '(tshdy  ;  to  which 
his  companions,  not  insensible  to  these  odd  attentions, 
now  and  then  return  a  gratulatory  cackle  or  reiterated 
chirp,  like  that  of  the  native  Meadow  Lark.  As  a  pleas- 
ant and  novel,  though  not  unusual  accompaniment,  per- 
haps the  great  Bull  Frog  elevates  his  green  head  and  brassy 
eyes  from  the  stagnant  pool,  and  calls  out  in  a  loud  and 
echoing  bellow,  'w'rron,  'warroo,  'worrorroo,  'boaroo, 
which  is  again  answered,  or,  as  it  were,  merely  varied,  by 
the  creaking  or  cackling  voice  of  his  feathered  neighbours. 
This  curious  concert,  uttered  as  it  were  from  the  still 
and  sable  waters  of  the  Styx,  is  at  once  both  ludicrous 
and   solemn.     About  the  end  of  April  or  early  in   May, 


i.| 


172 


OMNIVOROUS    DIRDS. 


fl 
\  ■ 


in  the  middle  and  riortliorn   parts  of  tlie   union  tiic  Red- 
Winged  Blackbirds  coniine-icc  constructing  tlieir  nests. 
The  situation  made  choice  of  is  irenorally  in  some  marsh, 
swamp,  or  wet  meadow,  ahoundin<f    with   alder   (Alnns) 
orBntton-busiics  {Cii>h(ihiith'iiis) ;  in  these,  commonly  at 
the  iicight  of  5  to*  feet  from  the  ground,  or  sometimes  in 
a  detaciied  bush  or  tussock  of  rank  grass  in  the  meadow, 
the  nest  i.s  formed.    Outwardly  it  is  composed  of  a  consid- 
erable  quantity  of  the    long  dry    leaves  of  Sedge-grass 
(Caret),  or  other  kinds  collected  in  wet  situations,  and 
occasionally  the  slendei  leaves  of  tlio  flag  (Iris)  carried 
round  all  the    adjoining  twigs  of    the   bush   by  way  of 
support    or    suspension,    and    sometimes    blended    with 
strips  of  the  lint  of  the    swamp   Asrlquas  o>-  silk-weed. 
The  whole  of  this  exterior  structure  is  also  twisted  in 
and  out,  and  carried  in  loops  from  one  side  of  the  nest  to 
the  other,  pretty  mucli  in  the  manner  of  that  of  the  Orioles, 
but  made  of  less  flexible  and  handsome  materials.     The 
large  interstices  that   remain,  as  well  as  the  bottom,  are 
then  filled  in  with  rotten  wood,  marsh-grass  roots,  fibrous 
peat,  or  mud,  so  as  to  form,  wlicn  dry,  a  stout  and  substan- 
tia!, though  concealed   shell,   the  whole  very  -"11  lined 
with  fine  dry  stalks  of  grass  or  with  slender  rushes,  {Scir- 
j)i.)    When  the  nest  is  in  a  tuKsock,  it  is  also  tied  to  the  ad- 
joining stalks  of  herbage ;  *  but  when  on  the  ground  this 
precaution  of  fixity  is  laid  aside,     The  eggs  are  from  3  to 
5,  white,  tinged  with  blue,  marked   with    faint  streaks  of 
light  purp!.'.   and   hnig   straggling   serpentine   hues  and 
dashes  of  very  dark  brown  ;   the   markings  not   very  nu- 
merojs,  and  disposed  almost   wholly  at  the  greater  end. 
They  raise  two  broods   couunonly  in  the  season.     If  the 
nest  is  approaci'ed  while  the   female  is  sitting,  or  when 


•  This  description,  druwn  froin  naturo,  agrees  very  nearly  witli  that  given  by  Poa- 
nant,  Arctic  Tluol.  vol.  i.  p.30n. 


inioii  the  Retl- 
ig  their  uoHts. 
n  some  marsli, 

alder  {Aliiii.-i) 
:,  commonly  at 
r  somutiines  in 
n  the  meadow, 
>cd  of  a  consid- 
[)f  Sedge-grass 
situations),  and 
r  {Iris)  carried 
ush   by  way  of 

blcrdcd    with 
IS  or  silk-weed, 
also  twisted  in 
0  of  the  nest  to 
t  of  the  Orioles, 
laterials.     The 
tho  bottom,  are 
ss  roots,  fibrous 
)Ut  and  substan- 
very  ■■■*'ll  lined 
r  rushes,  {Scir- 
o  tied  to  the  ad- 
tlie  ground  this 
gfs  are  from  3  to 
faint  streaks  of 
[itine   hues  and 
;s  not   very  nu- 
the  greater  end. 
season.     If  the 
sitting,  or  when 

Willi  tlint  given  by  Pon- 


nED-WINGED   BLACK-BinD. 


173 


the  young  are  hatched,  loud  cries  of  alarm  are  made  by 
both  parties,  but  more  particularly  by  the  restless  male, 
who  flics  to  meet  the  intruder,  and  generally  brings 
together  the  whole  sympathizing  company  of  his  fel- 
lows, whose  nests  sometimes  are  within  a  few  yards  of 
each  other.  The  female  cries  'quccih,  'ijucuh,  and  nt 
length,  when  the  mischief  they  dreaded  is  accomplished, 
the  louder  notes  give  way  to  others  which  are  more  still, 
slow,  and  mournful ;  one  of  which  resembles  t'ui,  t'ai,  or 
tea  and  t'ts/ud/i.  When  the  young  are  taken  or  destroyed, 
the  pair  continue  restless  and  dejected  for  several  days, 
but  from  the  force  of  their  gregarious  habit  they  again 
commence  building,  usually  soon  after,  in  the  same  mead- 
ow or  swamp  with  their  neighbours.  In  the  latter  part  of 
July  and  August  the  young  birds,  now  resembling  the  fe- 
male, begin  to  fly  in  Hocks,  and  release  themselves  partly 
from  dependence  on  their  parents,  whose  cares  up  to  this 
time  are  faithful  and  unremitting  ;  a  few  males  only 
seem  inclined  to  stay  and  direct  their  motions. 

About  the  beginning  of  September,  these  flocks,  by 
their  formidable  numbers,  do  great  damage  to  the  unripe 
corn,  which  is  ]  iw  ^  fa'-orite  repast,  and  they  are  some- 
times seen  whirling  m;i  driving  over  the  devoted  corn- 
fields and  meadows  so  as  to  darken  the  air  with  their 
numbers.  The  destruction  at  this  time  made  among  them 
by  the  gun  and  the  Hawks  produces  bu.  iittle  clFr-jt  upon 
the  remainder,  who  continue  fear's..'/,  and  in  spite  of 
all  opposition,  from  movning  to  nighi,  t'>  i.'vage  tne  corn- 
fields while  any  thing  almost  remains  <o  '^e  eai.en.  The 
farms  near  the  sea-coast,  or  alluvial  situations,  however, 
are  their  favorite  haunts ;  and  towards  the  close  of  Sep- 
tember, the  corn  becoming  hard,  it  is  at  length  rejected 
for  the  seeds  of  the  wild  rice  (Zizania  aquatira),  and  oth- 
er aquatic  plants,  which  now  begin  to  ripen,  and  aflford 
15* 


iJ! 


174 


OMNIVOnOUS    BIRDS. 


a  more  harmless  and  clieap  repast  to  these  dauntless 
marauders.  At  this  time,  also,  they  hcgiu  to  roost  in  the 
reeds,  wliither  tliey  repair  in  large  tlocka  every  evening 
from  all  the  neighbouring  quarters  of  the  country  ;  upon 
these  they  perch  or  cling  so  as  to  obtain  a  support  above 
the  .surrounding  wafers  of  the  niarsli.  VV lion  the  reeds 
become  dry,  advantage  is  taken  of  the  circumstance  to 
destroy  these  unfortunate  gormandizes  by  fire  ;  and  those 
who  might  escape  the  thimes  arc  sliot  down  in  vast  num- 
bers as  they  hover  and  scream  around  the  spreading  con- 
flagration. Early  in  November,  they  generally  leave  the 
northern  and  colder  states  ;  with  the  exception  of  strag- 
gling parties,  who  still  continue  to  glean  subsistence,  in 
the  shelter  of  the  sea-coast,  in  Delaware,  Maryland,  and 
even  in  the  cold  climate  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts.* 

To  those  who  seem  inclined  to  extirpate  these  erratic 
depredators,  Wilson  justly  remarks,  as  a  balance  against 
the  damage  they  commit,  the  service  they  perform  in  the 
spring  season,  by  the  immense  numbers  of  insects  and 
their  larva;  which  they  destroy,  as  their  principal  food,  and 
which  are  of  kinds  most  injurious  to  the  husbandman. 
Indeed  Kahp  remarked,  that  after  a  great  destruction 
made  among  these  and  the  common  Black-birds  for  the 
le<^al  reward  of  3  pence  a  dozen,  the  Northern  States,  in 
1749,  experienced  a  complete  loss  of  the  grass  and  grain 
crops,  which  were  now  devoured  by  insects. 

Like  the  Troopial  {Oriolus  icterus,  Lath.)  the  Red- 
wing shows  attachment  and  docility  in  confinement,  be- 
cor  ing,  like  the  Starling,  familiar  with  those  who  feed 
him,  and  repaying  the  attention  he  receives,  by  singing 
his  monotonous  ditty  pretty  freely,  consisting,  as  we  have 
already  remarked,  of  various  odd,  grating,  shrill,  guttural, 

*  My  IVinnd,  Mt.  3.  (Jreon,  of  Boston,  assures  me,  tlint  ho  has  seen  these  birds  neat 
Newton,  in  a  Cedar  Swamp,  in  January. 


lese  (launtfess 
to  roost  iii  the 
}vcry   evening 
lountry  ;  upon 
support  iibove 
Hicn  tlie  reeds 
ircumslance  to 
ire ;  and  those 
1  in  vast  num- 
spreading  con- 
rally  leave  the 
ption  of  strag- 
Hubsistencc,  in 
Maryland,  and 
ssachusetts.* 
3  these  erratic 
jalance  against 
perform  in  the 
of  insects  and 
icipal  food,  and 
i  husbandman, 
eat  destruction 
3k-birds  for  the 
them  States,  in 
grass  and  grain 
ts. 

\TU.)  the  Rcd- 
onfinemcnt,  be- 
thosc  who  feed 
ives,  by  singing 
ing,  as  we  have 
shrill,  guttural, 

is  seen  these  birds  near 


■■•■m" 


RKD-WIN<!i;n   lU.ACK-IUnD. 


176 


and  sometimes  warbling  tones,  which  become  at  length 
somewhat  agreeable  to  tb  ■  .  r ;  and  instances  are  said  to 
have  occurred  of  their  ac.ji.iring  the  power  of  articula- 
ting several  words  pretty  distinctly. 

The  llesh  of  this  bird  is  but  little  esteemed,  being  dark 
and  tough  like  that  of  tiie  Starling;  yet  in  some  of  the 
markets  of  the  United  States  they  are  at  times  exposed 
for  sale. 

Tlie  mnlr  Red-winged  Troopiiil  in  from  3iJ  to  10  inches  in  length  : 
of  a  (,'los.sy  blacii,  witli  tiie  cxoeptioii  of  tile  lesser  wiug-cnverts,  in 
which  the  lower  rows  of  feathers  are  of  a  reddish  creuin-color,  tho 
rest  of  a  bright  scarlet.  Legs  and  hill  black.  Irids  hazel.  Tongue 
nearly  as  long  as  the  hill,  slender,  and  liirn  at  the  end. 

The  J'nualc  is  from  S  to  it  inches  long.  Throat  and  below  thickly 
streaked  with  black  and  whitish,  or  cream  color;  under  the  throat 
somefinies  pale  reddish.  Above  black,  tlie  feathers  edged  with  pule 
brown,  white,  or  bay.  Young  mule,  black,  the  shoulder  of  the  winir 
the  color  of  red  lead,  fading  a  ae  edges  into  butF yellow.  Above, 
with  the  feathers  edged  with  brownish  ferruginous  and  brownish 
white,  except  the  rump,  in  which  the  feathers  are  faintly  edged  with 
cinereous  ;  over  the  eye-brows  a  pale  line.  Beneath,  from  the  chin 
downwards,  black,  the  feathers  edged  with  greyish  white. 

Note.  The  size  and  markings  of  this  bird  vary  in  so  extrjiordina- 
ry  a  degree,  that,  with  Du  Pratz,  I  should,  from  the  inspection  of  a 
few  specimens,  have  been  inclined  to  create  a  second  species.  The 
old  males  are  sometimes  only  HJ  inches  in  length,  the  largest  10. 
The  females  likewise  vary  from  8  to  !)  inches.  In  the  young  female 
also  the  feathers  are  edged  with  ferruginous  and  whitish,  and  beneath 
and  around  the  base  of  the  bill  nearly  yellow.  Other  females  have 
the  edges  of  the  feathers  as  described  above.  Some  have  the  shoulder 
of  the  wing  almost  as  red  as  in  the  male,  but  the  same  feathers  spot- 
ted with  du.sky.  As  females  of  the  same  age,  apparently,  are  without 
this  mark,  I  suppose  it  to  be  accidental.  Taking  into  consideration 
then,  the  extreme  differences  in  the  size  of  either  sex,  the  supposed 
disparity  of  the  pair  vanishes.  This  occasional  diminution  of  size 
is  probably,  as  in  other  birds,  peculiar  to  the  latest  broods. 


i 


1 


175 


OMNivonors  niiiufl. 


YELLOW-HEADED  TROOl/AL. 

(/rteru»  kterocephnlus,    Honap,  Am.  Oh«.  i.  p.  Siti.  pi  4.  fnala].  fig. 
a,  [female].     Pliilnd.  Muaeum,   Ni  .  152t<,  !.'•*».) 


Sp.  Cum.  vct.  — Black;  licnd,  neck,  and  hreautjellow-oran.' 
a  while  Mpot  on  the  wmii.—  t'emnle  nml  young;  dark  li 
wiiij/H  witliout  siiots  ;  throat  whitwh  ;  also  a  riminleil  vellow 
on  the  hreust. 


with 


.itcli 


^h 


T'K   Yellow-hciulcd   Blackbird   or    Troopi 
long  known  as  nn  inhabitant  of  Sontli  America,  »-    only 
recently    added   to    the    Fauna  of  the   United  States  by 
Major    Long's    cxi)edition.     Tlicy    were    seen    in    great 
numbers  near  the  banks  of  the  River  Platte,  around  the 
villages  of  the  Pawnees,  about  the  middle  of   May  ;    and 
the  diiTercnt  sexes  wore  sometimes  observed  associnl' d  m 
separate  Hocks,  as  th.'  breeding  season  had  not  yet  proba- 
bly comme  iced.     The  range  of  this  fine  specie,-  is,  ap- 
parently, f  om  Cayenne,  in  tropical  America,  to  the  banl<' 
of  the  riv<  r  Missouri ;  though  I  have  never  seen  thcnt 
near  that     iver  in  an  excursion  of   1000   miles.     At  all 
events,  its  viMts  are  yet  wholly  confined  to  the  west  side 
of  the'  Mississippi,   beyond   which,  not  even  a  straggler 
has  yet  been  seen.     They  are  known  to  assemble  in  <lense 
flocks,  and  in  all  their  movements,  aiirial  evolutions,  and 
predatory  character,  appear  as  the   counterpart  of  their 
Red-winged   relatives.     They  are  also  seen  to  frequent 
the  ground  in  search  of  food,  in  the  manner  of  the  Cow- 
Bunting,  or  Troopial.     In  the  spring  season  they  wage 
war  upon  the  insect  tribes  and  their  larva),  like  the   Red- 
wings, but    in   autumn  they  principally  depend,   doubt- 
less, on  the  seeds  of  vegetables.     At   Demerara,  Water- 
ton  observed  them  in  flocks,  and,  as  might  have  been 
suspected  from  their  habits,  they  were  very  greedy  after 


ou-tn 


•It     TIUMII'I  \l,. 


IT7 


AL. 

,\.  4.  [i»aU].  &g. 

ow-oiu 

n^'  dark   I' 

(li'd  vellow  .iitcli 

opi  I     '".'H 

ricfi,  w  only 
litcd  States  by 
seen  in  great 
tte,  arouii'l  the 
of  May  ;  iind 
tl  ashocint  (1  iii 
not  yet  probu- 
spccicf-  is,  ap- 
n,  to  tbe  Ininlc 
vcr  seen  them 
miles.  At  all 
0  the  west  side 
en  a  straggler 
leinblc  in  dense 
3volutions,  and 
erpart  of  their 
;cn  to  frequent 
sr  of  the  Cow- 
son  they  wage 
,  like  the  Red- 
lepcnd,  doubt- 
nerara,  Water- 
ight  have  been 
ry  greedy  after 


Indian  torn.     ''    U'ir  notes  iir-    ■<)iid  to  be  similar  to  tho 
of  the  Rod-win>;.  d  Troopi^l,  I-h'  more  ugrecaide,  though 
\Vaterton  Miiritly,    and  perhaps  truly,  asserts,  that  their 
attemi  15^,  co»upnri>d  with  the   true  Tr()0|)ial,  are 

"  n.  uorili  ;iitendiiig  to."  The  very  beautiful,  accur.ite. 
and  animated  figures  of  the  two  sexes  of  this  sjiecies, 
given  by  Prince  C.  Bonaparte,  leave  nothing  more  to  be 
desir>  i  m  graphical  execution. 

'I'll,   mule  of  thiH  B|>pcieH  is  I04  inohrs  in  lenjfl'i  (ii       " 
Prince  Il.nuparte,  but  the  tiguru   purporting  to  be  If 
onlyilf)     The  bill  (inrk  horn-color.     Feet  black.      I'li 
brown      Thr  'leatl,  'ieck,unil  lireiint  are  brilliiintoranjri"- 
viviil  iiiid  silky  on  the  hend.     Tin-  leathfrs  round  the  bii  ■  bill, 

chin.  I 'id  8  wide  Htrip«  piissinij  tlinmirh  the  eye,  are  bhi. 
of  the  ■  'thcrs  jrlossy  black,  tiiiiriMl  with  brownish.  ; 
exterirT  winjj-coverts  are  white  with  black  tips,  constituting  2  white 
gpota  on  the  '  ing.  The  Ist,  2(1,  and  :td  prininries  are  longest  and 
equal.     Ta:  ••  lies  long,  slightly  rounded.  —  The  female  >^\  inches 

long  (in  til'  iliout  the  same  size  as  the  male,  i^),  dark  brown, 

the  uiargi .eathers  a  shade  lighter.  Tho  chin  and  throat  whit- 
ish. On  the  III  cast  a  large  round  patch  of  yellow.  On  the  lower 
part  of  the  breast  the  feathers  are  skirted  with  white.  —  Ihe  ijoung 
are  very  similar  to  the  female. 


.»'  rest 
of  the 


Species  rrlated  to  the  Bunting.  (Embkuizoidf.s.) 

In  these  the  bill  is  straight,  short,  thick,  conic,  and  not  much  point- 
ed.    The  sinus  at  the  base  of  the  bill  sharp  and   shallow. 

Note.  These  are  somewhat  allied  to  the  Finches;  yet  still  more 
BO  to  the  birds  of  the  preceding  section. 


liin 


cow  TROOPIAL,  OR  COW  BLACK-BIRD. 

(Icterus pcroris,TF.MM.  Ai)ni;noN,pl.!>!t.  Ewlierizn  pcroris,  Wilson, 9. 
p.  lir>.  pi.  IH,  fiij.  1.  [nuilf].  fijr.  2.  [femnle].  fig.  3.  [the  youn)?]. 
I'liilail,  iMuHeuiii,  No.  (i:i7f  <1;17!>.) 

Sp.  CiiAnACT.  —  GlosBy  black;  liciiil  and  neck  blnckish-brown.— 
Ftmiilc  wholly  Hocity-brown,  neatli  \m\\v.— Young  siinilar  to 
theli'iuale,  wi'.hllio  breast  spoUeil. 

The  Cow-pou  Bird,  porpotuully  gregarious  and  flit- 
tine,  is  observed  to  enter  the  Middle  and  Northern  States 
in  the  latter  end  of  March  or  tiie  beginning  of  April. 
They  make  their  migration  now  chietly  under  cover  of  the 
ni'fht,  or  early  dawn  ;  and  as  tlie  season  l)ecomes  milder 
they  pass  on  to  Canada,  and  perhaps  follow  the  Warblers 
and  other  small  birds  into  the  farthest  regions  of  the 
north,  for  they  are  seen  no  more  after  the  middle  of  June, 


Tmi 


CK-BIRD. 

itcoris,  Wii.so5,8. 
g.  3.  [the  young]. 

l)ln(;kish-l)rown. — 
V(«/nr'  Hiiuilar  to 


iriotis  and  flit- 
Vortliern  States 
iniiij;  of  April, 
tier  cover  of  the 
l)ccoinos  milder 
w  the  Warblers 
regions  of  the 
iiiddle  of  June, 


1/    , 


I'l,  ■  I 


i 


*> 


^> 


%.  ^K' 

'%^.. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


U:       |40 


1.8 


1.25  1111.4   IIIIII.6 


;  < 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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i   *p. 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  iVIicroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historlques 


cow  TROOPIAL,  OR  COW  BLACK-BIRD. 


179 


until  the  return  of  autumn,  when,  with  the  colds  of  Oc- 
tober, they  again  reappear  in  numerous  and  augmented 
flocks,  usually  associated  with  their  kindred  Red-wings, 
to  whom   they   bear   a   sensible   likeness,   as    well  as  a 
similarity  in  notes  and  manners.     They  pass  the  wmter 
in  the  warmer  parts  of  America  as  well  as  in  the  South- 
ern States,  where  I  have  observed  them  in  the  ploughed 
fields,  gleaning  along  with  the  Red-wings  and  tlic  common 
Black-bir<ls.   They  are  also  very  lamiliar  around  the  cattle, 
picking  up  insects  which  they  happen  to  disturb,  or  that 
exist  in  their  ordure.  When  on  the  ground,  they  scratch  up 
tne  soil  and  appear  very  intent  after  their  food.     Some- 
times  even,  infringing  on  the  rights  of  the  Plover,  mdmd- 
uals,  in  the  winter,    frequent    the   margins  of  ponds  m 
quest  of  aquatic  insects  and  small  shcll-f.sh  ;  an.l  they  may 
be  seen  industriously  occupied  in  turning  over  the  leaves 
of  the  water-plants  to  which  they  adhere.     They  also  fre- 
quent occasionally   the  rice  and  corn  fields,  as  well  as 
their  more  notorious  associates,  but  are  more  inclined  to 
native  food   and   insects   at   all  times,  so  that  they  are 
more  independent   and    less  injurious  to  the  farmer.     As 
they  exist  in   Mexico,  it  is  probable,   that  they  are  also 
bred  in  the  higher  table  land,  as  well  as  in  the  regions 
of  the  north.     In  Louisiana,  however,  according  to  Audu- 
bon, they  are  rare  visitors  at  any  season,  seeming  more  in- 
clined to  follow  their  route  through  the  maritime  districts. 
Over  these  countries,  high  in  the  air,  in  the  month  of 
October,  they  are  seen  by  day   winging   their  way  to  the 
remoter  regions  of  the  south. 

We  have  observed  that  the  Red-wings  separate  in  par- 
ties, and  pass  a  considerable  part  of  the  summer  in  the 
necessary  duties  of  incubation.  But  the  Cow-pen  Birds 
release  themselves  from  all  hindrance  to  their  wanderings. 
The    volatile    disposition    and    instinct,    which   prompt 


•fl: 


180 


OMNIVOROUS    BIRDS. 


birds  to  migrate,  as  the  seasons  change  and  as  tlicir  food 
begins  to  fail,  iiavc  only  a  periodical  influence;  and  for  a 
while  they  remain  domestic,  and  pass  a  portion  of  their 
time  in  the  cares  and  enjoyments  of  the  conjugal  state. 
But  with  our  bird,  like  the  European  Cuckoo,  this  season 
never  arrives ;    the  flocks  live  together  without  ever  pair- 
ing.      A  general     concubinage    prevails    among    them, 
scarcely  exciting    any  jealousy,    and   unaccompanied  by 
any  durable  aff'ection.     From  the  commencement  of  their 
race,  they  have   been  bred  as  foundlings,  in  the  nests  of 
other  birds,  and   fed  by  foster-parents,  under  the  i)i^rpet- 
ual  influence  of  delusion  and  deception,  and  by  the  sac- 
rifice of  the   conc\irrent  progeny    of  the  nursing  birds ! 
Amongst  all  the  feathered  tribes  liitherto  known,  this  and 
the  European  Cuckoo,  with  a  few  other  species  indigenous 
to  the  old  continent,  are  the  only  kinds  who  never  make 
a  nest  or  hatch  their  young.     That  this  character  is  not 
a  vice  of  habit,  but  a  perpetual  instinct  of  nature,  appears 
from  various  circumstances,  and  from  none  more  evidently 
than  from  this,  that  the  eggs  of  the   Cow  Troopial  are 
always  earlier  hatched  than  those  of  the  foster-parent,  a 
singular   and   critical  provision,    on   which   perhaps  the 
existence  of  the  species   depends.     For  did  the   natural 
brood  of  the   deceived    parent  come  first  into  existence, 
the  strange  egg,   on  which  they  sat,  would  generally  be 
destroyed. 

The  number  of  nurses  selected  by  this  vaorrant  is 
somewhat  considerable.  The  greatest  favorite  appears  to 
be  the  Red-njed  Fhj-cntcher,  the  Whitc-iyed  species, 
and  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat ;  but  the  Blue-bird,  In- 
digo-bird, Chipping-Sparroio ,  Song-Sparrdw,  Blur-eyed 
Yellow  Warbler,  Bluc-graj  Fly-catcher,  Goldm-crown- 
ed  and  Wilson's  Thrush,  are  also  at  times  enlisted 
in  the   number  ol    rotter    parents    for   the   black   and 


cow  TROOPIAL,  OR  COW  BLACK-niRD. 


181 


ml  as  their  food 
ence  ;  and  for  a 
portion  of  their 

conjugal  state, 
koo,  this  season 
ithout  ever  pair- 
i  among  them, 
laccoinpanied  by 
ncenient  of  their 
s,  in  the  nests  of 
inder  the  porpet- 
,  and  by  tlie  sac- 
e  nursing  birds ! 

known,  this  and 
)ecies  indigenous 
who  never  make 

cliaracter  is  not 
if  nature,  appears 
le  more  evi(knitly 
ow  Troopial  are 
e  foster-parent,  a 
hich  perhaps  the 
r  did  the  natural 
St  into  existence, 
)uld  generally  be 

this  vagrant  is 
avorite  appears  to 
hitc-iijed  species, 
;he  lihie-hird,  In- 
arrdw,  Blur.-cyed 
!»•,  Gohlm-rrown- 
at  times  enlisted 
r   the   black   and 


greedy  brood  of  our  Cow-bird,  When  the  female  is  dis- 
posed to  lay,  she  appears  restless  and  dejected,  and  sepa- 
rates from  the  unregarding  flock.  Stealing  through  the 
woods  and  thickets,  she  pries  into  the  bushes  and  bram- 
bles for  the  nest  that  suits  her,  into  which  she  darts,  in 
the  absence  of  its  owner,  and  in  a  few  minutes  is  seen 
to  rise  on  tlie  wing,  cheerful  and  relieved  from  the  anx- 
iety that  oppressed  her,  and  proceeds  back  to  the  flock, 
she  had  so  reluctantly  forsaken.  If  the  egg  be  deposited 
in  the  nest  alone,  it  is  uniformly  forsaken  ;  but  if  the  nurs- 
ing parent  have  any  of  her  own,  she  immediately  begins 
to  sit.  The  Red-oycd  Fly-catcher,  in  whose  beautiful 
basket-like  nests  I  have  observed  these  eggs,  proves  a 
very  aflectionate  and  assiduous  nurse  to  the  uncouth 
foundling.  In  one  of  these  I  found  an  egg  of  each  bird, 
and  the  hen  already  sitting.*  I  took  her  own  egg  ^ni 
left  the  strange  one  ;  she  soon  returned,  and,  as  if  s-nsi- 
ble  of  what  had  happened,  looked  with  steadfast  attention, 
and  shifted  the  egg  about,  then  sat  upon  it,  but  soon 
moved  off",  again  renewed  her  observation,  and  it  was  a 
considerable  time  before  she  seemed  willing  to  take  her 
seat ;  but  at  length  I  left  her  on  the  nest.  Two  or  three 
days  after,  I  found  that  she  had  relinquished  her 
attention  to  the  strange  egg,  and  forsaken  the  premises. 
Another  of  these  birds,  however,  forsook  the  nest  on 
taking  out  the  Cow-bird's  egg,  although  she  had  still  2  of 
her  own  left.  The  only  example,  perhaps,  to  the  contrary 
of  deserting  the  nest  when  solely  occupied  by  the  stray 
egg,  is  in  the  Blue-bird,  who,  attached  strongly  to  the  breed- 
ing places,  in  which  it  often  continues  for  several  years, 
has  been  known  to  lay,  though  with  apparent  reluctance, 
after  the  deposition  of  the   Cow-bird's  egg.     My  friend, 


*    1  hitve  absorved  tliia  present  scaton  (1S31)  the  hen  litting  on  S  eggi,  and  one  of 
the  Cow-bird. 

16 


182 


OMNIVOROUS    BIRDS. 


Mr.  C.  Pickering,  found  two  nests  of  the  Blue-eyed  Yel- 
low-warbler, in  which  had  been  deposited  an  egg  of  the 
Cow-bird  previously  to  any  of  their  own ;  and  unable  to 
eject  it,  they  had  buried  it  in  the  bottom  of  the  nest  and 
built  over  it  an  additional  story !  I  also  saw,  in  the 
summer  of  1830,  a  similar  circumstance  with  the  same 
bird,  in  which  the  Cow-bird's  egg,  though  incarcerat- 
ed, was  still  visible  on  the  upper  edge,  but  could  never 
have  been  hatched.  At  times,  I  think  it  probable,  that 
they  lay  in  the  nests  of  larger  birds,  who  throw  out  the 
egg,  or  that  they  drop  their  eggs  on  the  ground  without 
obtaining  a  deposit,  as  I  have  found  an  egg  of  this  kind 
thus  exposed  and  broken.  I  have  also  remarked  some- 
times 3  of  these  eggs  in  the  same  nest,  but  in  this  case 
one  of  them  commonly  proves  abortive. 

The    most    usual   nurse    of  this    bird    appears  to    be 
the  Red-eyed  Virco,  who  commences  sitting  as  soon  as 
the  Cow-bird's  egg  is  deposited.     On  these  occasions,  I 
have  known  the  Vireo  to  begin  her  incubation  with  only 
an  egg  of  each  kind,  and  in  other  nests  I  have  observed 
as  many  as  3  of  her  own,  with  that  of  the  intruder.     From 
the  largeness  of  the  strange  egg,  probably  the  nest  im- 
mediately feels  filled,  so  as  to  induce  the  nurse  directly  to 
sit.     This  larger   egg,  brought  nearer  to  the  body  than 
her  own,  is  consequently  better  warmed  and  sooner  hatch- 
ed;   and  the  young  of  the    Cow-bird,  I  believe,  appears 
about  the  12th  or  13th  day  of  sitting.     The  foundling  is 
very  faithfully  nursed   by   the   affectionate  Vireo,  along 
with  her  own  brood,  who  make  their  appearance  about  a 
day  later  than  the  Troopial.     From  the  great  size  of  the 
parasite,  the  legitimate  young  are  often  stifled,  and,  when 
dead,  are  conveyed,  as  usual,  by  the  duped  parent  to  a  dis- 
tance before  being  droy^ped ;  but  they  are  never  found  im- 
mediately beneath  the  nest,  as  would  invariably  happen 


row  TROopiAi,,  on  cow  uLAtK-ninn. 


183 


e  Blue-eyed  Yel- 

ted  an  egg  of  the 

1 ;  and  unable  to 

n  of  the  nest  and 

also  saw,  in    the 

:c  with  the  same 

ough  incarcerat- 

but  could  never 

it  probable,  that 

dio  throw  out  the 

le  ground  without 

egg  of  this  kind 

remarked  some- 

t,  but  in  this  case 

d  appears  to  be 
sitting  as  soon  as 
these  occasions,  I 
ubation  with  only 
s  I  have  observed 
3  intruder.  From 
ably  the  nest  im- 
3  nurse  directly  to 
to  the  body  than 

and  sooner  hatch- 
I  believe,  appears 

The  foundling  is 
mate  Vireo,  along 
ppearance  about  a 
e  great  size  of  the 
I  stifled,  and,  when 
ped  parent  to  a  dis- 
,re  never  found  im- 

invariably  happen 


if  they  were  ejected  by  the  young  Troopial.  Indeed,  as 
far  as  I  have  had  opportunity  of  observing,  the  foundling 
shows  no  hostility  to  the  natural  brood  of  his  nurses,  but 
he  nearly  absorbs  their  whole  attention,  and  early  displays 
his  characteristic  cunning  and  self-possession.  AVhen 
fully  fledged,  they  quickly  desert  their  foster-parent,  and 
skulk  about  in  the  woods,  until,  at  length,  they  instinc- 
tively join  company  with  those  of  the  same  feather,  and 
now  becoming  more  bold,  are  h^en  in  parties  of  5  or  (5, 
in  the  fields  and  lanes,  gleaning  their  accustomed  sub- 
sistence. They  still,  however,  appear  shy  and  watchful, 
and  seem  too  selfish  to  study  any  thing  more  than  their 
own  security  and  advantage. 

The  egg  of  this  bird  is  almost  oval,  .scarcely  larger 
than  that  of  the  Blue-bird,  thickly  sprinkled  with  points 
and  confluent  touches  of  olive  brown,  of  two  shades,  some- 
what more  numerous  at  the  greater  end,  ou  a  white  ground 
tinged  with  green.  But  in  some  of  these  eggs  the  ground 
is  almo  t  pure  white,  and  the  spots  nearly  black. 

The  .souT  of  the   Cow-bird  is  guttural  and  unmusical, 
uttered  with  an  air  of  affectation,  and  accompanied  by  a 
bristling  of  the  feathers  and  a  swelling  of  the  body  in  the 
manner  of  the  Turkey.       These  are  also  all  the  notes  of 
the  species  in  the  season  of  their   attachment ;    so  that 
their  musical  talent  rates  lower  than  that  of  any  other  bird 
perhaps  in  the  genus.     Sometimes  the  tones  of  the  male 
resemble  the  liquid  clinking  of  the    Bobolink  and   Red- 
winged   Black-bird,     Sitting  on  the  summit  of  a  lofty 
branch,  he  amuses  himself  perhaps  for  an  hour  with  an 
occasional   'klurk  'tsei,   the   latter  syllable  uttered  in   a 
drawling  hiss  like  that  of  the  Red-wing ;    accompanied 
by  his  mates,  he  also  endeavours  to  amuse   them  by   his 
complaisant  chatter  ;  and- watching   attentively  for  their 
safety,  they  flit  together  at  the  instant  he  utters  the  loud 


\  1 


;if 


I  «f- 


L 


184 


OMNIVOKOITS  BIR08. 


tone  of  alarm  ;  ami  they  are  always  shy  and  suspicious 
of  the  designs  of  every  observer.  On  a  fine  spring  morn- 
ing, however,  perched  towards  the  summit  of  some  tree  in 
the  forest,  where  they  seek  rest  after  their  twilight  wan- 
derings, small  and  select  parties  may  be  seen  gratefully 
basking  in  the  mild  beams  of  the  sunshine.  The  male  on 
such  occasions,  like  many  other  egotists,  seems  as 
proud  of  his  uncouth  jargon,  and  as  eager  to  please  his 
favorite  companions,  as  the  sentimental  Nightingale  with 
his  pathetic  and  varied  lay. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  7  inches,  its  breadth  11.  The  head 
and  neck  blackish  brown;  the  rest  black,  {rloHsed  witli  violet  on  the 
breast,  aud  with  greenish  above.    Legs  and  claws  black.    Iris  hazel. 


■  ■j.'^y-WjU'Vif'f. 


'  and  suspicious 
iue  spring  luorn- 
it  of  some  tree  in 
ir  twilight  wan- 
3  sei'ii  gratefully 
ic.  The  male  on 
lists,  seems  as 
gcr  to  please  his 
SJigliliugale  with 


adthll.  The  head 
1  with  violet  on  the 
8  black.     Iris  hazel. 


i<*" 


' 


RICE  BUNTING,  or  BOB-O-LINK. 

(Icterus  usrripennis,  Bonai".  Audubon,  pi.  .54.  Emhcriza  oryxivora, 
Wilson,  ii.  p.  41^.  pi.  lU.  fig.  I.  [male  in  spring  dress,]  fig.  2.  [fe- 
male.]   Philad.  Mu.seuui,  No.  (iO-Jii.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Tail  feathers  very  acute.  —  Adult  vitih  in  spring 
dress,  black ;  the  hind  head  yellowish  white;  scapulars,  rump, 
and  tail  coverts,  white,  tinged  with  ash.  —  Female,  yiniiig,  and 
male,  in  early  autumn  and  winter  dress,  varied  with  brownish 
black  and  brownish  yellow  ;  beneath  dull  yellow.  The  7Hfl/c  with 
much  more  yellow. 

The  whole  continent  of  America,  from  Jiabriidor  to 
Mexico,  and  the  great  Antilles,  are  the  occasional  resi- 
dence of  this  truly  migratory  .species.  About  the  middle 
of  March,  or  beginning  of  April,  the  cheerful  Bob-o- 
link  makes  his  appearance  in  the  southern  extremity  of 
the  United  States,  becoming  gradually  arrayed  in  his  nup- 
16* 


180 


OMNIVOROUS  IlinUH. 


wn^ 


tinllivory,  and  accompanied  by  troops  ofliiH  companiond, 
who  olU-n  procodo  the  urriviil  of  their  more  tardy  mates* 
Their  wintering  resort  appears  to  he  rather  the  West  In- 
dies than  the   tropical  continent,  aw  th.'ir  mi<rrations  are 
observed  to  take  place  generally  to  the  east  of  1-onisiana, 
where  their  visit.i  are  rare  and  irregnlar.t    At  thi»  season 
also  they  make  their  approaches  chielly  by  night,  obeying, 
as  it  were,  more  distinctly,  the   mandates  of  an  overrul- 
ing instinct,  which  prompts  them  to  seek  out  their  natal 
regions;   while  in  autumn,  their  progress,  by  day  only,  is 
alone  instigated  by  the  natural  quest  of  food.     About  the 
tst  of  May  the  meadows  of  Massachusetts  begin   to  re- 
echo  their  lively  .lilly.    At  this  season,  in  wet  idaces,  and 
by  newly  ploughed  fields,  they  destroy  many  insects  and 
their  larvie,  but  while  on  their  way  through  the  Southern 
States,  they  cannot  resist  the  temptation  of  feeding  on  the 
early  wheat  and  lender  barley.     According  to  their  suc- 
cess in  this  way,  parties  often  delay  their  final  northern 
movement  as  late  as  the  middle  of  May,  so  that  they  ap- 
pear to  be  in  no  haste  to  arrive  at  their  destination  at  any 
exact  period.     The  principal  business  of  tiieir  lives  how- 
ever, the  rearing  of  their  young,  does  not  take  place  until 
they  have  left  the   parallel  of  the  4(Hh  degree.     In   the 
savannahs  of  Ohio  and  Michigan,   and  the   cool  grassy 
meadows  of  New  York,  Canada,  and  New  England,  they 
fix  their  abode,  and  obtain  a  sufficiency  of  food  throughout 
the  summer,  without  molesting  the  harvest  of  the  farmer, 
until  the  ripening  of  the  latest  crops  of  oats  and  barley, 
when,  in  their  autumnal  and  changed  dress,  hardly  now 
known  as  the  same   species,  they  sometimes  s'.ow  their 
taste  for  plunder,  and  flock  together  like  the  greedy  and 
predatory  Black-birds.      Although    they   devour    various 

•  Batlram'i  Travels,  p.  295.  (Ed.  London.) 

■j  Audubon,  Omilhological  Biogiophy,  i.  p.  '383. 


■■•*s>*saKss?» 


nicr,  nrNTiNo,  or  iion-o-tiNK. 


187 


lis  companioiifl, 
B  tardy  unites.* 
cr  the  West  In- 

niijjrntioiiH  are 
St  of  Ldiiisiana, 

At  this  season 

nit,'ht,  obeying, 
s  of  iui  overrul- 
;  out  their  natal 
,  by  (lay  only,  ia 
jod.     About  tlie 
itts  bejjin  to  rc- 
ri  wet  places,  and 
lany  insects  and 
\sr\\  the  Southern 
of  feeding  on  the 
ling  to  their  suc- 
3ir  finnl  nortiicrn 
,  so  that  they  ap- 
destination  at  any 
)f  tiicir  lives  how- 
it  tai<e  place  nntil 
1  degree.     In   the 
d  the   cool  grassy 
few  England,  they 
of  food  throughout 
vest  of  the  farmer, 
if  oats  and  barley, 

dress,  hardly  now 
letimes  f'iow  their 
ike  the  greedy  and 
cy   devour   various 


kinds  of  insects  and  worms  on  their  first  arrival,  I  liavo 
found  tiiat  tliiir  fre<|uent  visits  among  the  grassy 
meadows  were  often  also  for  the  seeds  they  contain;  and 
they  are  particularly  fond  of  those  of  the  Dock  and  l)m- 
deiion,  tlie  latter  of  whidi  is  sweet  and  oily.  liater  in 
the  season,  and  previously  to  leaving  their  native  regions, 
they  feed  principally  i>n  various  kinds  of  grass  seeds,  par- 
ticularly those  of  the  I'aiiinini.i,  wliich  are  allied  to  mil- 
let. Tliey  also  feed  on  crickets  and  grasshojipers,  as  well 
as  beetles  and  spiders.  Their  nest  is  fixed  on  the  ground 
in  a  slight  depression,  usually  in  a  field  of  meadow  grass, 
either  in  a  dry  or  moist  situation,  and  consists  merely  of  a 
loose  be<lding  of  withered  grass,  so  inartificial,  •.s  scarcely 
to  be  distinguishable  from  tli(!  rest  of  the  ground  around  it. 
The  egg.«  arc  5  or  (J,  of  a  dull  white,  inclining  to  olive, 
scattered  all  over  with  small  spots  and  t.iuclu's  of  lilac 
brown,  with  some  irregular  blotches  of  dark  rufous  brown, 
chiefly  disposed  towards  the  largi^r  end. 

The  males,  arriving  a  little  earlier  than  the  other  sex, 
now  appear  very  vigorous,  lively,  and  familiar.  Many 
quarrels  occur  before  the  mating  is  settled ;  and  the  fe- 
males seem  at  first  very  coy  and  retiring.  Eiiuilation 
fires  the  Bob-6-liiik  at  this  period,  and  rival  songsters  pour 
out  their  incessant  strains  of  enlivening  music  from  every 
fence  and  orchard  tree.  The  quiet  females  keep  much  on 
the  ground,  but  as  soon  as  ihey  appear,  they  are  pursued 
by  the  ardent  candidates  for  their  aflcction,  and  if  either 
seems  to  be  favored,  the  rejected  suitor  is  chased  off  the 
ground,  as  soon  as  ho  appears,  by  hi  •  "-e  fortunate  rival. 
The  song  of  the  male  continues  wit!  liUle  interruption  as 
long  as  the  female  is  sitting,  and  his  chant,  at  all  times  very 
similar,  is  Imth  singular  and  pleasant.  Often,  like  the  Sky- 
lark, mounted,  and  hovering  on  the  wing,  at  a  small 
height  above  the  field,  as  he  passes  along  from  one  tree 


■i^ 


188 


OMNIVOROrH  niHIIH. 


top  or  wood  to  another,  he  uttt-rH  siidi  ii  jingling  mctlley 
of  short  variahlo  notes,  so  confused,  rnpid,  and  continiiouB, 
that  it  appears  ahiiost  like  llu-  hh  iidinjf  sons;  of  several 
difTcreiit  l)irds.  Many  of  tliese  tones  are  viry  ajrreeablo, 
butlhey  are  (Ulivered  witli  siicli  ra|)i(liiy  tiiat  the  ear  can 
scarcely  separate  them.  The  general  elfect,  however,  like 
all  the  niiiiple  eH'orts  of  nature,  is  ^rood,  and  when  s  veral 
are  chiintin^j  forth  in  the  same  meadow,  tiie  concert  is 
very  cheerful,  thouj>h  monotonous,  and  somewhat  (piaint. 
Amonj5  the  few  phrases  that  can  he  distinfjuished,  the 
liijuid  sound  of  lioh-d-lrr,  or  liiih-ti-link,  lioh-o-linld',  is 
very  distinct.  To  give  an  idea  of  the  ariahie  exlc-nt  of 
song,  and  even  an  imilation,  in  some  measure,  of  the 
chromatic  period  and  air  of  tiiis  familiar  and  riitiier  fa- 
vorite resident,  the  hoys  of  this  part  of  New  Kn<;land 
make  liim  spout  among  others,  the  following  ludicrous 
dunning  phrase,  as  he  rises  and  hovers  on  the  wing 
near  liis  mate,  "  'Boh-ii-linh,  ' lloh-(i-Hiik,  'Tom  Denny 
'Tom  Dennj). — 'Conn  ixii)  nir  the  two  anil  six  prnrc 
you've  inrtil  more  than  a  year  find  a  half  ago  !  —  'tshi 
'tshM  'tshe,  'tsh  'tsh  'tshe,"  modestly  diving  at  the  same 
instant  down  into  the  grass  as  if  to  avoid  altercation. 
However  puerile  this  odd  phrase  may  appear,  it  is  cpiito 
amusing  to  find  how  near  it  approaches  to  the  time,  and 
expiession  of  the  notes,  when  pronounced  in  a  hurried 
manner.  It  would  he  unwise  in  the  naturalist  to  hold  in 
contempt  any  thing,  however  trilling,  which  might  tend  to 
elucidate  the  simple  truth  of  nature.  I  therefore  give  the 
thing  as  I  find  it.  This  relish  for  song  and  merriment, 
confined  wholly  to  the  male,  diminishes  as  the  period  of 
incubation  advances,  and  when  the  brood  begin  to  flutter 
around  their  parents  and  protectors,  the  song  becomes  less 
frequent,  the  cares  of  the  parents  more  urgent,  and  any 
approach  to  the  secret  recess  of  their  helpless  family  ia 


I 


T 


inkling  medley 

111(1  COIltillllOUB, 

ons;  of  Mcverul 
II  ry  iigri'tMiblo, 
lint  llu!  our  can 
t,  liowevor,  like 
1(1  wlifii  H  vcral 
the  concert  is 
inewhnt  <|iiiiint. 
liiii;iiislio<l,  the 
liiih-o-Hiikt,  is 
'iiililc  (Xiciit  of 
icttwiirf,  of  the 
nntl  rather  fa- 
New  Kiijfland 
winj5  ludicrous 
)  on  the  wing 
';,  'Tom  Denntf 
(inii  .s//  /jrnrc 
f  affo  !  —  'tsM 
[ig  at  the  same 
(id  altercation, 
pear,  it  is  (inito 
o  the  time,  and 
ed  in  a  liiirried 
ralisi  to  hold  in 
li  might  tend  to 
ereforo  give  the 
ind  in(!rrimcnt, 
as  the  period  of 
l)cgin  to  flutter 
ng  becomes  less 
irgent,  and  any 
pless  family  is 


im  K  niNTiNci,  OB  non-o-i.iNK. 


ipy 


deph»red  with  urgent  and  ii.cosMant  crien,  as  they  iiovcr 
harlully  around  ijui  intentional  or  accidental  intruder. 
They  appear  .soiueliiueM  incliued  to  have  a  second  hrood, 
for  which  preparation  is  ma<ii!  while  they  are  yet  engaged 
in  rearing  the  (irst ;  but  the  male  generally  Im-n  his 
inuHJcal  tiijeiit  ahniit  tins  end  of  [\w  lirst  week  in  July  ; 
f'oni  wliich  time,  or  somewhat  earlier,  his  nuptial  r)r  pied 
dress  begins  gradually  to  be  laid  aside  for  the  liumblo 
garb  of  the  female.  The  whole,  both  young  and  old,  then 
appear  nearly  in  the  same  songless  livery,  uttJiringonly  a 
rhtiik  of  alanu  wlien  surprised  in  feeding  on  tiie  grass 
seeds,  or  the  crops  of  grain  which  still  remain  abroad. 
When  the  voice  of  the  Rob-o-link  begins  to  fail,  with  the 
progress  of  the  exhausfiug  luoiiit,  lie  Hits  over  the  h(dds 
in  a  restless  manner,  an<i  merely  utters  a  broken  'b6b'kc, 
'bdb'lee,  or  with  his  songless  mate,  at  length,  a  'wirt  'weet, 
b'lrrt  h'lict,  and  a  noisy  and  disagreeable  cackling  chirp. 
At  the  early  dawn  of  day,  while  the  tuneful  talent  of  the 
species  is  yet  unabated,  the  elfect  of  their  awakening  and 
faultering  voices  from  a  wide  expanse  of  meadows,  is 
singular  and  grand.  The  sounds  mingle  like  the  noise 
of  a  distant  torrent,  which  alternately  subsides  and  rises 
on  the  bree/.e,  as  the  performers  awake  or  relapse  into 
rest ;  it  finally  becomes  more  distinct  and  tumultuous,  till 
with  the  opening  day  it  assumes  the  intelligible  charac 
ter  of  tiieir  ordinary  song.  The  young  males,  towards 
the  close  of  July,  having  nearly  acquired  their  perfect 
character,  utter  also  in  the  morning,  from  the  trees  which 
border  their  favorite  marshy  meadows,  a  very  agreeable 
and  continuous  low  warble,  more  like  that  of  the  Yellow- 
bird  than  the  usual  song  of  the  species ;  in  fact,  they 
appear  now  in  every  respect  as  Finches,  and  only  become 
jingling  musicians,  when  robed  in  their  pied  dress  as 
Icteri ! 


A 


190 


OMNIVOROUS    BIRDS. 


About  the  middle  of  August,  in  congregatint;  numbers, 
divested  already  of  all  selective  attachment,  vast  foraging 
parties  enter  New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  on   their  way 
to  the  south.     Here,  along  the  shor.^s  of  the  large  rivers, 
lined  with  Hoating  iichls  of  the  Wild  Rice,*  they  find  an 
abundant  means  of  subsistence  daring  their  short  stay  ; 
and  as  their  flesh,  now  M,  is  little  inferior  to  that  of  the 
European  Ortolan,  the  Rnd  or  Rice  birds,  as  they  are 
then  called  in  their  Sparrow-dress,  form  a  favorite  sport 
for  gunners  of  all  descriptions,  who  turn  out  on  the  occa- 
sion, and  commit  prodigious   havock   among  the   almost 
silent  and  greedy  roosting  throng.     T!-.c  markets  are  then 
filled  with  this  delicious  game,  and  the  pursuit,  both  for 
success  and  amusement,  along  the  picturesque  and  reedy 
shores  of  the    Delaware,  and  other   rivers,  is  second  to 
qpne   but    that  of  Rail-shootitfg.     As  soon   as  the  cool 
niahts  of  October  commence,  and  as  the  Wild  Rice  crops 
begin  to  fail,  the  Reed-birds  take  their   departure  from 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  and  in  their  further  pro- 
gress  through  tie  southern  States  they  swarm  in  the  Rice 
fields,  and  before  the  crop  is  gathered  they  have  already 
made   their  appearance  in  the  islands  of  Cuba  and  Ja- 
maica,  where  they  also  feed  on  the  seeds  of  the  Guinea 
grass,t  become  so  fat  as  to  deserve  the  name  of  •Butter- 
birch;  and  arc  in  high  esteem  for  the  table. 

The  Rice-Troopial  i8  7J  inches  long,  and  li*  in  extent.  The  dress 
of  the  male,  on  arriving,  is  with  the  upper  part  of  tlie  head  wings, 
toil,  sides  of  the  neck,  and  whole  lower  parts,  black;  the  feathers 
frequently  skirted  with  brownish  yellow,  but  more  particularly  so  as 
he  put.  on  the  livery  of  tlie  female  ;  the  back  of  the  head  yellowish 
white;  scapulars,  rump,  and  tail  coverts  white,  and  all  except  the 
first  tinged  with  ash.  Feathers  of  the  tail  sharp  at  the  end,  as 
among  the  Woodpeckers.)  Iris  hazeh  Bill  bluish  black ;  in  the 
female,  young  bird,  and  autumnal  male,  pale  flesh-color. 


*  Ziiama  spocies. 


t  Sorghum. 


AMERICAN  BLACKBIRDS. 


191 


[regatintr  numbers, 
iicnt,  vast  foraging 
ania,  on   their  way 
of  the  large  rivers, 
lice,*  they  find  an 
T  their  short  stay  ; 
erior  to  that  of  the 
.  bir(h,  as  they  are 
)rni  a  favorite  sport 
irn  out  on  the  occa- 

among  the  almost 
!;c  markets  are  then 
he  pursuit,  both  for 
:turesque  and  reedy 

livers,  is  second  to 
s  soon  as  the  cool 
he  Wild  Rice  crops 
leir  departure  from 
in  their  further  pro- 
y  swarm  in  the  Rice 
;d  they  have  already 
is  of  Cuba  and  Ja- 
ieeds  of  the  Guinea 
he  name  of  'Butter- 
e  table. 

nj  in  extent.  The  dreas 
■  part  of  the  head,  wings, 
arts,  black ;  the  feathers 
It  more  particularly  so  as 
ck  of  the  head  yellowish 
irhite,  and  all  except  the 
,1  sharp  at  the  end,  (as 
Bill  bluish  black  ;  in  the 
le  flesh-color. 


§  2.     Birds  related  to  the  Crow.      (Cokacei.) 

In  these  the  bill  is  cultrate,  and  the  edges  sharp.    The  outer  toe  is 
also  free,  and  scarcely  united  at  base  to  the  middle  one. 


AMERICAN  BLACKBIRDS.     (Quiscalus.    Vieill.) 

With  the  HILL  bare,  compressed  from  tlie  ba.se,  and  entire;  the 
edges  sharp,  and  somewhai  bent  inwards  ;  tlie  upper  mandible  car- 
ried back  so  as  to  form  an  acute  angle  on  th?  forehesid.  curved  from 
the  middle,  projecting  considerably  over  the  lowt  id  provided 
with  a  long  keel  witliin.  Nostrils  oval,  liulf  closed  by  a  membrane. 
TheTo.vGUF.  cartilaginous,  flattened,  torn  at  the  sides,  and  clcllatthe 
point,  The  tarsus  a  little  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  the  lateral 
toes  nearly  equal,  with  the  inner  free,  and  the  outer  united  at  base 
to  the  middle  one.  Wings  moderate  in  lengtli ;  tlie  Ist  primary  equal 
to  the  5th,  and  but  little  shorter  than  the  2d,  3d,  and  4th,  wiiich  are 
longest.  The  tail  composed  of  12  feathers,  and  more  or  less 
rounded. 

The  jno/e  Wack ;  female  generally  brownish.  The  young  differ- 
ing from  tlie  adult.  They  moult  annually,  but,  by  the  wearinn-  of 
the  tips  of  the  feathers,  one  species  undeigo>  s  an  additional  cliange 
like  the  Starling.  —  They  are  gregarious,  retiring  to  wanner  climates 
in  winter ;  usually  build  socially  in  treew,  and  lay  about  5  egcrs. 
Their  flesh  is  dark  and  not  esteemed. 


t  Sorghum. 


103 


OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


GREAT  CROW-BLACKBIRD. 

IQuisrnhis  major,  Vieii.i,.  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  vol.  i.  p.  35.  pi.  4.  fig.  1. 
[male]  fig.  2.  [female.]     Philad.  Museum,  No.  ir)«2,  l.W;}.) 

Sp.  Charact. —  Glossy-black;  tail  wedge-shaped,  reaching  very 
far  beyond  tiie  wings  (nearly  .'J  inches)  ;  bony  keel  (of  the  upper 
mandilile)  small;  length  KJ  inches.  —  Female  light  blown,  be- 
neatli  and  eye-brows  whitish  :  length  124  inches. 

This  large  and  Crow-like  species,  sometimes  called 
the  Jackdaw,  inhabits  the  southern  parts  of  llm  Union 
only,  particularly  the  states  of  Georgia  and  Florida, 
where  they  are  seen  as  early  as  the  close  of  January  or 
beginning  of  February,  but  do  not  begin  to  pair  before 
March,  previously  to  which  season  the  sexes  are  seen  in 
separate  flocks.  But  about  the  latter  end  of  November, 
they  quit  even  the  mild  climate  of  Florida,  generally,  and 
seek  winter  quarters  probably  in  the  West  Indies,  where 
they  are  known  to  bo  numerous,  as  well  as  in  Mexico 
and  Louisiana  ;  but  they  do  not  ever  extend  their  north- 
ern migrations  as  far  as  the  Middle  States.  Previous  to 
their  departure,  at  the  approach  of  winter,  they  are  seen 
to  assemble  in  large  flocks,  and  every  morning  flights  of 
them,  at  a  great  Jieight,  are  seen  moving  away  to  the 
south. 

Like  most  gregarious  birds,  they  are  of  a  very  sociable 
disposition,  and  are  frequently  observed  to  mingle  with 
the  common  Crow-Blackbirds.  They  assemble  in  great 
numbers  among  the  sea-islands,  and  neighbouring  marsh- 
es on  the  main  land,  where  they  feed  at  low  water,  on  the 
oyster-beds  and  sand-flats.  Like  Crows,  they  are  omniv- 
orous, their  food  consisting  of  insects,  corn,  and  small 
grain,  so  that  by  turns  they  may  be  viewed  as  the  friend 
or  plunderer  of  the  planter. 


ll||ll<ai|WIW>*»'W*'*WWHH."  ■'  !!i'.l*(g ' ' 


IIRD. 

.  i.  p.  3.").  pi.  4.  fig.  1. 
No.  1582,  ir>«3.) 

iped,  reaching  very 
ny  keel  (of  tlie  upper 
•ale.  light  hi  own,  be- 
ches. 

sometimes  called 
irts  of  llm  Union 
gia  and  Florida, 
se  of  January  or 
gin  to  pair  before 
sexes  are  seen  in 
!nd  of  November, 
da,  generally,  and 
'^est  Indies,  where 
lell  as  in  Mexico 
xtend  their  north- 
ates,  Previous  to 
Iter,  they  are  seen 
morning  flights  of 
king   away    to  the 

of  a  very  sociable 
fed  to  mingle  with 
assemble  in  great 
ighbouring  marsh- 
t  low  water,  on  the 
's,  they  are  omniv- 
!,  corn,  and  small 
!wed  as  the  friend 


GREAT  CKOW-BLACKBIRD. 


193 


The  note  of  this  species  is  louder  than  that  of  the  com- 
mon kind,  and  some  of  its  jarring  tones  are  said  to  bear 
a  resemblance  to  the  noise  of  a  watchman's  rattle.  They 
are  only  heard  to  sing  in  the  .spring,  and  their  concert, 
though  inclining  to  melancholy,  is  not  altogether  disa- 
greeable. Their  nests  are  built  in  company,  on  reeds 
and  bushes,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  marshes  and  ponds ; 
they  lay  about  5  eggs  which  arc  whitish,  blotched  and 
lined  nearly  all  over  with  dusky  olive. 

The  general  appenrance  of  the  male  is  black,  bat  the  head  and 
neck'have  hhiiKli-purplo  reflections;  tlie  rest  presents  shades  of  steeb 
blue,  excepting  the  back,  rump,  and  middling  wing-coverta  which 
are  glossed  with  copper  green ;  tlie  vent,  inferior  tail  coverts,  and 
tliighs  are  plain  black.  The  tail,  wedge-shaped,  is  nearly  8  iiii.hesin 
length,  and  like  that  of  tlie  common  species,  is  capable  of  a.ssuming 
a  boat-shaped  ajipearance.  Iris  pale  yellow.  The  bill  and  feet  black. 
The  female  is  of  a  light  dusky  lirown,  with  some  feeble  greenish 
reflections,  and  beneatli  of  a  dull  l)rownish  white.  The  yminir,  at 
first,  resemble  the  female',  but  liave  the  irids  brown,  and  gradually 
acquire  their  appropriate  plumage. 


17 


wiMuMUMmiaiiiia 


rf 


ii  wiium"' 


I;, 


I 


COMMON   CROW-BLACKBIRD. 

(Quiscat us  versicolor,  ViKii.i..  Audubon,  pi.  7.  [stealing  corn,  very 
spirited  luul  natural.]  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  vol.  ii.  p.  42.  pi. .').  fig.  I- 
[female.]  Oraculaquiscala,  Wilson, iii.  p.  44.  pi.  21.  fig.  4.  [male.]) 

Sp.  Chakact.— Glossy-black;  tail  wedge-formed,  extending  far 
beyond  tlie  wings  (nearly  ti  inches) ;  bony  keel  witliin  the  bill 
large  ;  length  about  II4  inches;  vertical  breadth  of  th^  bill  at 
base  nearly  J  an  inch.  —  Fnnuh  similar  to  the  male,  but  some- 
what less  brilliant :  length  1 1  inches. 

This  very  common  bird  is  an  occasional  or  constant 
resident  in  every  part  of  America,  from  Hudson's  Bay 
and  the  northern  interior  to  the  Great  Antilles,  within 
the  tropic.  In  most  part  of  tliis  wide  region  they  also 
breed,  at  least  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Louisiana,  and  proba- 
bly farther  south.  Into  the  states  north  of  Virginia  they 
begin  to  migrate  from  the  beginning  of  March  to  April, 
leaving  those   count  iies  again  in  numerous  troops  about 


,U. 


COMMON  CROW-BLACKHinD. 


m 


:bird. 

.  [stealing  corn,  very 
.  ii.  p.42.  pl.T).  fig.  1. 
.pl.21.fig.  4.  [male.]) 

irnied,  extending  far 

/  keel  witliin  the  bill 

breadth  of  the  bill  at 

the  male,  but  soms- 

sional  or  constant 
om  Hudson's  Bay 
t  Antilles,  within 
e  region  they  also 
lisiana,  and  proba- 
11  of  Virginia  they 
f  March  to  April, 
rous  troops  about 


the  middle  of  November.  Thii.s  assembled  from  the  north 
and  west  in  increasing  numbers,  they  wlioily  overrun,  at 
times  tiie  warmer  maritime  reijions,  where  they  assemble 
to  pass  the  winter  in  the  company  of  their  well  known 
cousins  the  Red-winged  Troopials  or  Blackl)ir(ls  ;  for 
both  impelled  by  the  same  predatory  appetite,  and  love 
of  comtbrtal)le  winter  quarters,  arc  often  thus  nccidental- 
ly  associated  in  the  plundering  and  gleaning  of  the  plan- 
tations. The  amazing  numbers  in  which  the  present 
species  associate  are  almost  incredil)le.  Wilson  relates 
that  on  the  '20th  of  January,  a  few  miles  from  the  banks 
of  the  Roanoke  in  Virginia,  he  met  with  one  of  those 
prodigious  armies  of  Blackbirds,  which,  as  he  approach- 
ed, rose  from  the  surrounding  tields  with  a  noise  like 
thunder,  and  descending  on  the  stretch  of  road  before 
him,  covered  it  and  the  fences  completely  with  black ; 
rising  again,  after  a  few  evolutions,  they  descended 
on  the  skirt  of  a  leafless  wood,  so  thick  as  to  give  the 
whole  forest,  for  a  considerable  extent,  the  appearance  of 
being  slirouded  in  mourning,  the  numbers  amounting 
probably  to  many  hundreds  of  thousands.  Their  notes 
and  screams  resembled  the  distant  sound  of  a  mighty 
cataract,  but  strangely  attuned  into  a  musical  cadence, 
which  rose  and  fell  with  the  fluctuation  of  the  breeze,  like 
the  magic  harp  of  yEolus. 

Their  depredations  on  the  maize  crop  or  Indian  corn 
commence  almost  with  the  planting.  The  infant 
blades  no  sooner  appear  than  they  are  hailed  by  the 
greedy  Blackbird  as  the  signal  for  a  feast ;  and,  without 
hesitation,  they  descend  on  the  fields,  and  regale  them- 
selves with  the  sweet  and  sprouted  seed,  rejecting  and 
scattering  the  blades  around  as  an  evidence  of  their  nus- 
chief  and  audacity.  Again,  about  the  beginning  of  Au- 
gust, while  the  grain  is  in  the  milky  state,  their  attacks 


iiW.i.UtiJJ., 


196 


OMNIVOROUS  niiins. 


are  renewed  with  the  most  dcstructivcj  effect,  as  tliey  now 
assemble  as  it  were   in   clouds,   and   |)illage  the   fields  to 
such  a  degree  that  in  some  low  and  sheltered  situations,  in 
the  vicinity    of  rivers,   where   they  delight  to  roam,  one 
fourth  of  the  croj)  is  devoured  by  those  vexatious  visitors. 
The  gun,  also,  notwithstanding  tiic    havock  it  produces, 
has  little  more  elTuct  than  to  chase  them  from  one  part  of 
the  field  to  the  other.     In  the  Southern  States,  in  winter, 
they  hover  round    the  corn-cribs  in   swarms,   and   boldly 
peck  the  hard  graii  from  the  cob  through  the  air  openings 
of  the  magazine.     In  consequence   of  these   reiterated 
depredations  they  arc  detested  by  the  farmer  a.s  a  i>est  to 
his  industry  ;   though,  on  their  arnvnl  their  food  for  along 
time  consists  wholly  of  those  in;.ccts  which  arc  calculated 
to  do  the  most   essential  injury  to   the    crops.     They,  at 
this  season,  frccpient  swamps  and  meadows,  and  famdiar- 
ly  following  llu;  furrows  of  tlie  plow,   sweep    up  all    the 
crrub-worms,  and  other  noxious  animals,  as  soon  as  they 
appear,  even  scratching  up  the  loose  soil,  that  nothing  of 
this  kind  may  escape  them.     Up  to  the  time  of  harvest, 
I  have  uniformly,  on  dissection,  found  their  food  to  con- 
sist of  these  larva;,  Caterpillars,   moths,   and  beetles,  of 
wliich  they  devour  such  numbers,  that  but  for  this  provi- 
dential economy,  the  whole  crop  of  grain,  in  many  places, 
would  probably  be  destroyed  by  the  time  it  began  to  ger- 
minate.    In  winter  they  collect  the  mast  of  the  Beocli 
and  Oak  for  food,  and  may  be   seen    assembled  in  large 
bodies  in   the  woods    for    this  purpose.     In  the  spring 
season    the    Blackbirds   roost   in    the    cedars    and   pine 
trees,  to  which  in  the  evening  they   retire  with  friendly 
and  mutual  chatter.     On  the  tallest  of  these  trees,  as  well 
as  in  bushes,  they  generally  build  their  nests,  which  work, 
like  all  their  movements,  is  commonly  performed  in  socie- 
ty, 80  that  10  or  15  of  them  are  often  seen  in  the  same 


■nijjaiiwwMmiiiMw 


Tect,  as  they  now 
ngc  the  fieUis  to 
Ted  situations,  in 
ght  to  roam,  one 
rcxatious  visitors, 
vocic  it  produces, 
1  from  one  part  of 
States,  in  winter, 
arms,  and  l)oldly 
li  tlu;  air  openings 

tiiese  icitcrated 
irmer  as  a  i)est  to 
leir  i'ooil  for  a  long 
cii  arc  calculated 

crops.  They,  at 
awa,  and  familiar- 
sweep  up  all  the 
s,  as  soon  as  they 
il,  that  nothing  of 
D  time  of  harvest, 
their  food  to  coa- 
1,  and  beetles,  of 
but  for  this  provi- 
n,  in  many  places, 
le  it  began  to  ger- 
last  of  the  Beech 
ssembled  in  large 
e.     In   the  spring 

cedars  and  pine 
etire  with  friendly 
these  trees,  as  well 
nests,  which  work, 
performed  in  socie- 
n  seen  in  the  same 


COMMON  l'kow-ui..\c;kiiikd. 


197 


tree,  and  sometimes  they  have  been  known  to  thrust 
their  nests  into  the  interstices  of  the  Fish-hawk's  cyry, 
as  if  for  safety  and  protection.  They  begin  their  breed- 
ing operations  from  the  commencement  of  April  to  May. 
The  n(!st  is  composed  outwardly  of  mud,  mixed  with 
stalks  and  knotty  roots  of  grass,  and  lined  with  hue  dry 
grass  and  horse-hair.  The  eggs,  usually  5  or  (>,  are  of  a 
dull  green  like  those  of  the  Crow,  blotched  and  spotted 
with  dark  olive,  more  particularly  towards  the  larger  end. 
According  to  Audubon,  the  same  species  in  the  Southern 
States  nest?  in  the  hollows  of  decayed  trees,  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  Woodpijcker,  lining  the  cavity  with  a  few 
weeds  and  feathers.  They  seldom  produce  more  than  a 
single  brood  in  the  season.  In  the  autumn,  and  at  the 
approach  of  winter,  numerous  flocks  after  foraging 
ihrougli  the  day,  return  from  considerable  distances  to 
their  general  roosts  among  the  reeds.  On  approaching 
their  station,  each  detachment,  as  it  arrives,  in  straggling 
groups  like  crows,  sweejis  round  the  marsh  in  waving 
flight,  forming  circles  ;  n-nidst  these  bodies,  the  note  of 
the  old  reconnoitcring  leader  may  be  heard,  and  no  .sooner 
has  he  fixed  upon  the  intended  spot,  than  they  all  descend 
and  take  their  stations  in  an  instant.  At  this  time  they 
are  also  frcipicntly  accompanied  by  the  Ferruginous  spe- 
cies, with  which  they  associate  in  a  friendly  manner. 

The  Blackbird  is  easily  tamed,  sings  in  confinement, 
and  may  be  taught  to  articulate  .some  few  words  pretty 
distinctly.  Among  the  variety  of  its  natural  notes,  the 
peculiarly  affected  sibilation  of  the  Starling  is  heard  in 
the  wottitshee,  wottitshcc,  and  whistle,  which  often  accom- 
panies this  note.  Their  intestines  and  stomach  are 
frequently  infested  by  long,  cylindric,  tapering  worms, 
which  probably  increase  sometimes  in  such  numbers  as 
to  destroy  the  bird. 

17* 


n 


198 


OMNIVOROUS    BIRDS. 


Tlie  male  is  IZinchei  lonj;,  and  18 in  alnr  extent.  The  prevailing 
blauk  color  of'tlie  body  iH  relieved  by  jrlossy  reflections  of  steel  blue, 
dark  violet  und  green  ;  the  violet  is  most  conHpicuous  on  the  head 
and  brenst,  and  the  green  on  the  hind  part  of  the  neck.  The  back, 
rump,  and  whole  lower  parts,  with  the  exception  of  the  breuHt,  reflect 
a  cupreous  irloss.  The  wing-coverts,  secondaries,  and  coverts  of 
the  tail,  are  light  violet,  witli  much  of  the  red  ;  the  rest  of  the  wings 
and  rounded  tail  are  black,  with  a  steel-blue  gloss.  Iris  silvery. — 
The  friiialr  is  rather  less,  but  very  similar  in  color,  and  glossy  parti- 
colored reflections. 


BLACK  ORIOLE,  or  SLENDER-BILLED  BLACK- 
BIRD. 

(Clmsriiliis  linritus,  Bonat.  Gracuta  hiirita,  Lin.  Oriolus  nlgcr,  Gyi. 
LaiIiam,  i.  p.  If!.'').  Black  Oriole,  Pennant.  Bi;r.  pi.  eulum.  5U4,) 

Sp.  Ciiahact.  —  Glossy  black,  with  uniform  bluish  reflections  faint- 
ly inclining  to  green  on  the  wings ;  head  and  throat  slightly 
edged  with  ferruginous ;  tail  nearly  even,  extending  beyond  the 
wings  more  than  2  inches ;  osseous  carina  small ;  length  lOJ 
inches ;  vertical  breadth  of  the  bill  at  base  about  \  of  an  inch. — 
The  fciruih  scarcely  smaller,  dull  brownish ;  beneath  and  eye- 
brows whitish. 

Of  thi.s  species  I  know  little  more  than  that  it'is  occa- 
aionally  seen  in  this  vicinity  in  the  spring,  and  has  habits 
very  similar  to  the  Ferruginous  Blackbird.  It  is,  how- 
ever, distinguished  at  once,  both  from  this  and  the  com- 
mon species,  by  its  more  slender  elongated  form,  al- 
most unvaried  color,  and  general  look  even  of  a  Thrush. 
According  to  Pennant,  they  migrate  as  far  north  as  Hud- 
son's Bay,  arriving  there  about  the  beginning  of  June, 
and  feed  on  insects  and  their  larva;,  singing  agreeably 
till  the  time  of  incubation,  but  afterwards  only  utter  a 
chucking  noise  till  the  young  take  to  flight,  when  they 
resume  their  song.     They  build  their  nests  in  trees,  about 


;ent.  The  prevailing 
lections  of'ate«l  blue, 
[licuouB  on  tlie  licad 
tllP  neck.  Tlii<  Imck, 
1  of  the  lir«'iiHt,  reflect 
iirles,  and  covertB  of 
tlie  rest  of  the  wings 
floBS.  Iria  silvery. — 
i)lor,  anil  glossy  parti- 


ILLED  BLACK- 

(.  Oriolus  niirrr,  Gji. 
Uvr.  i>\.  etiliun.  ijlM.) 

luish  reflections  faint- 
l  and  throat  slightly 
extending  beyond  the 
la  small ;  length  lOi^ 
nbout  \  of  an  inch.  — 
h;  beneath  and  eye- 

lan  tliat  itis  occa- 
iig,  and  has  liabits 
ibird.     It  is,  how- 

tliis  and  the  com- 
longatod  form,  al- 
eveu  of  a  Tlirush. 

far  north  as  Hud- 
jegiiniing  of  June, 
singing  agreeably 
wards  only  utter  a 

flight,  when  they 
lests  in  trees,  about 


Rl-'STY  ni.ArKniKD. 


190 


8  feet  from  the  ground,  and  form  them  of  a  mixture  of 
moss  and  grass.  Tiie  eggs  arc  5,  of  a  darit  color,  spotted 
with  dusky.  They  assemble  in  great  flocks,  and  retire 
southwardly  in  September.  —  Some  part  of  this  descrip- 
tion prol)ably  ap|)lies  to  the  Ferruginous  Blackbird,  with 
which  it  may  easily  be  confounded.  This  species  is  also 
known  to  inhabit  the  West  Indies,  and  South  America. 

The  prevailing  color  of  this  bird  is  a  deep  glossy  black,  with  faint 
■teel-blue  reflections  inclining  to  greenish  on  the  wings  and  tail. 
The  hea<l  small,  and  the  hill  Honiewhiit  acute.  The  tail  about  4  inch- 
es, almost  exactly  even,  hut  with  the  outermost  pair  of  feathers  a  little 
shorter  than  the  rest.  The  individual  I  describe  appears  new  moult- 
ed, and  on  the  throat  and  breast,  the  feathers,  less  glossy  black  than 
above,  are  very  faintly  tipt  with  brownish  ilirty  white;  on  the  front, 
superciliary  ridge,  and  back  of  the  neck,  these  tips  are  dark  chestnut, 
and  scarcely  visible  on  the  latter.  The  bill,  from  the  opening  of  the 
mouth,  is  aliaut  0  lines,  black,  and  a  little  paler  at  the  base  of  the 
under  niandil)le.  The  legs  are  black,  the  tarsus  full  an  inch,  or  oa 
long  as  in  the  Common  Blackbird. 


RUSTY  BLACKBIRD. 

(Quisrntiis  fcrruginetis,  Bonap.  flrnculafcrrvfrinea,  Wii.sos,  iii.  p. 
41.  pi.  21.  fig.  3.  [male,  in  the  spring].  Philad  Museum.  No.  .5514.) 

Sp.  Cn.XRAcT.  —  Glossy-black,  more  or  less  skirted  with  ferruginous ; 
tail  rounded  :  the  length  about  i)  inches ;  vertical  breadth  of  the 
bill  at  base  about  .J  of  an  inch  :  —  Female  nearly  equal  to  the  male, 
head,  neck,  and  breast  ferrnginous-brown ;  the  belly  and  rump 
ash  color. 

Tnis  .species,  less  frequent  than  the  preceding,  is  often 
associated  with  it,  or  with  the  Red-winged  Troopial  or 
the  Cow-pen  Bird,  and,  according  to  the  season,  they  are 
found  throughout  America,  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  Flori- 
da. Early  in  April,  according  to  Wilson,  they  pass  hastily 
through  Pennsylvania,  on  their  return  to  the  north  to 
breed.     In  the  month  of  March  he  observed  them  on  the 


200 


oMMVouoiH  niiiin*. 


!      l! 


banks  of  tho  Ol.io.  iio.ir    Knittirky  rivor.  during  a  snow 
Htoriii      Tlioy    arriv.,   in   llu-    vicinity   of   Hndson's   Bay 
abonl  tl.o  br^inninjr  of  Juno,  and  feed  much  in  tho  man- 
nor  of  the  Common    Crow-Blackl-ir.l  ..n  in^cctn,    ui.ich 
thry  r.nd  ..n  or   near  tho  >rr..und.     Dr.  Richardson,  miw 
Ihvm  ill  til.!  «int.'r  an  far  as  tlio  latiuido  of  53".     Thoy 
8i„.r   in  tlio   pairing   season,   l)Ut    become   nearly    sil.u.t 
while  roaring  their  youn«  ;  tlu.njTh  when  their  brood  re- 
lease then,  from    care    tiiey    afrain   resume   their  lay,  and 
may  occasionally  he  hoard  until  the  appr..ach  ol  wmtcr^ 
Their  song  is  quite  ns   agreeable  and  musical  as  that  o. 
the  Starling,   and  greatly   surpasses   tlwU   of  a..y  of  the 
Other  species.     1  have  heard  tlu-m  ringing  until  the  mid- 
dle of  October. 

They  are  said  to  build   in   trees,   at   no  great  distance 
from  the  ground,  making    a   nest   similar    to   the    other 
species,  and  lay  r,  eggs,  rather    dusky,    and  spotted  with 
black.     Tlic  young  and  old,    now    asseml)liiig  in  large 
troops,  retire  from  the  nortlierii  regions  in  September. 
From  the  beginning  of  October  to  tho  mid.lle  of  N..vern- 
bcr,  they  are   seen  in  (locks   tlirough   the  Eastern  States. 
Durin"  their  stay  in  this  vicinity,  they  assemble  towards 
night  to  roost  in  or  roun.l  the  reed  marshes  of  Fresh  Pond, 
near  Cambridge.     Sometinu^s  they  select  the  willows  by 
the  water  for  their    lodging,  in  preference    to   the  reeds, 
which  they  give  up  to  their  companions  the  Crow-Black- 
birds.    Earlv  in  October  Hiey  feed  chiefly  on  grasshoppers 
and  berries, "and  at  a  later  period  pay  a  transient  visit  to 
the  corn-fields.     They  pass  the  winter  in  the    Southern 
States,  and  like  their  darker  relatives,  make  familiar  visits 
to  the  barn-vard  and  corn-cribs.     Wilson,  remarks,  that 
they  are  easily  domesticated,  and  in  a  few  days  become 
quite   familiar,   being  reconciled  to  any  quarters  while 
supplied  with  plenty  of  food. 


Vm 


1 


chowfi. 


901 


r,  iliiriiij?  a  snow 
■  MiuIsoii'h  Bay 
lucli  ill  tlio  nmn- 

I  iiisci-tft,  which 
Richardsun,  >taw 
3  of  M".  They 
no   iHMirly    siiont 

II  their  hrood  ro- 
iH'  their  hiy,  ami 
)roach  of  winter, 
uiisical  as  that  of 
it   of  any  of  the 
iig  until  tlie  mid- 
no  f;rpat  distance 
liir    to    tiie   otlu'f 
uikI  spott(?d  with 
enihliiig  in  large 
lis  in   Septenil>er. 
iiiddlo  of  Novein- 
le  Eastern  States, 
nsHcinhit!  towards 
lesof  Fr<!sliPond, 
!Ct  tho  willows  by 
ICC   to   the  reeds, 
i  tho  Crow-Black- 
ly on  grasshoppers 
I  transient  visit  to 

in  the  Southern 
iiiki"  familiar  visits 
son,  remarks,  that 

few  days  become 
iiy  ipiarters  while 


The  mnip  in  iilxjiit  !l  iiiciioN  in  li'ii|;tli  ;  itiiil  l-i  in  alar  I'Xii-iit;  at 
firHl  ii|i|ifMiriiig  lilark,  |;|c>8hc(I  with  dark  |{r«>i<ii ;  with  tin-  tiiil  Miiiiie- 
whiit  rminiltMl  ;  the  pliiniiijri!  at  lcii(rtli  hi>ri>iiit'n  iiinri' or  Icsh  tinctiired 
with  hriiwii,  or  Nkirted  with  ltrrii(;iiioiiM.  'i'ltm  chamti'  in  the  plum. 
agf  a|i|ii'arH  to  he  ariuloirims  to  that  wliich  lakt'H  |ilu('i-  in  thr  I'.iiro- 
peiui  Htnrhnjj.  IriH  silviTy.  —  Tlii'  J'umilc  io  ol'  ahoiit  tlu'  «;initt  nVta 
with  the  male,  and  the  yoiing  of  the  liMt  Beiiiioii,  of  lioth  iie.xou,  are 
nearly  of  the  aanie  color. 


CROWS.    (Couvijs.  /.;„.) 

In  tlieae  the  mil,  is  thick,  Htraiijlit  ill  llie  base,  cnrvi'd  towards  flitJ 
point,  and  comprrssi  d  and  edjfiil  at  the  aidcH.  Nosriiiis  at  the  liani) 
of  the  hill,  open,  ni.d  liidilen  in  advuncinj;  hairs.  The //r/  have  !? 
toes  lielore,  and  I  hidiiiid,  nlni<'nt  entirely  divid>-d  to  their  buHe ;  the 
tarHUM  Uingft  than  the  middle  toe.  The  iriiiirn  Hhiirp-pointed  ;  the  Ist 
jtriinary  nh<>rt ;  tln'  l!il  and  Itli,  loiiireHt.     The  tail  of  I'J  leathers. 

TheHe  birdn  appear  to  have  llie  xeiiHe  of  Hinell  very  perfect.  Sus- 
picloiii)  to  exceHs  they  iiiHtinctivcly  avoid  nil  Horts  of  Hiinre* ;  they 
have  al«o  the  riinnintr  and  caprice,  to  take  and  hide  thinjrs  which 
are  iiHeleMH  to  llicin.  They  can  be  renilered  aniUHinif  doineslics;  may 
be  taiiifht  to  articulate  wordn,  and  to  obey  the  voice  of  their  inaHter. 
All  kinds  of  nonrisluiieiit  is  acceptable  to  them  ;  and  they  sometimes 
commit  great  waste,  which  they  compensate  in  a  measure,  by  the 
destruction  they  make  of  the  larvie  of  insects.  The  Iaii.'er  species 
occasionally  prey  on  small  binls,  and  most  of  them  have  a  jfreat  ap- 
petite liir  cggn.  They  moult  once  a  year.  The  sexes  are  sca'cely 
distiniruishable  from  each  other,  and  the  young,  after  easting  their 
first  feathers  reseudtle  the  adult.  They  travel  and  unite  always  in 
bands ;  and  are  spread  over  the  whole  globe. 


TiiK  Tnt;i:  crows 

Have  the  bill  thick  ond  stout;  the  feathers  of  the  head,  incapable 
of  erection  ;  the  tail  moderate  in  length,  even,  or  slightly  rounded. 
Their  color  is  black,  without  any  variegation.  —  They  also  walk 
gravely,  and  have  an  elevated  and  long  sustained  flight, 


THE  RAVEN. 

{Cornts  co.-ax.  La.  Wilson,  I.x.  p.  iVX  pi.  75.  lig.  3.  I'liilud.  Muse- 
um, No.  175.) 

Sp.  CiiAiiAi  r.  —  Black  ;  buck  gUwsp<l  with  bluish  purpU- ;  tail  much 
rouiideil  extfiidini;  fur  beyond  the  wings :  3d  primary  loTigesti 
(length  ubout  2(i  inches.) 

The  sable  Riivon  has  been  obsorved  and  described  from 
the  earlie.'tt  times,  and  is  a  resident  of  almost  every  coun- 
try in  the  world ;  but  is  more  particularly  ai)undant  in 
the  western  than  the  eastern  parts  of  the  United  States. 
This  ominous  bird  has  been  generally  dcpjii  d  nid  fear- 
ed by  the  supersti^icus,  even  more  than  the  n.)Ctrrn»l 
Owl,  though  he  prowls  abroad  in  open  day.     H<  >.       be 


m 


v--v« 


i.  fig.  '.\.  I'liilud.  Muse- 

uiiih  iiurpli* ;  tuil  much 
:    'M  primary  lorigesti 

and  described  from 

almost  every  coun- 
ularly  iiluindant  in 

tiie  United  States. 

dofji;  d  a:id  fear- 
tlian  tht,  11  intrrnal 
in  f''  !'■      '  1'  II      be 


H  WKN. 


30» 


cnnMidfri'd  iix  lioldjni;  a  rclatiim  to  llic  I  'l-s  of  prey,  leod- 
injj  not  only  on  ciirrion,  but,  occu«ion.iliy  Hci/ing  on 
weakly  innibft,  yoiuijj  liaren,  or  rabbitu,  and  Mt-enis  indeed 
to  j{ive  a  prnferrnce  to  uniinal  food  ;  lint,  at  the  came  time, 
he  is  able  to  livi>  on  nil  kind^  of  fruits  :iud  >,'riiin,  um  well 
aH  iiKii'ctn,  ciirtli-worins,  men  ilcad  lish,  anil  in  addition 
to  nil,  is  particularly  fond  of  ojtkm,  m  that  no  animal 
'^^'enlH  nior'  inily  omnivorous  than  the  Ttaven, 

If  wo  take  into  connidcrafion  his  iudisrriuiinatiiij^ 
vofiu  iiy,  sombre  livery,  discordant  (roiikin;^  cry,  with 
his  ignoble,  wild,  and  funereal  aspect,  we  need  not 
be  surprised,  that  in  times  of  if|noruuce  and  error,  ho 
siiould  bav«'  been  so  >;eneraily  roKardcd  as  an  object  of 
disgust  and  fear.  He  stood  pretMiinent  in  the  list  of 
sinister  bir«ls,  or  those  whose  only  |)remoniiion  was  the 
uiniouncin^r  of  niisforiun<'s  ;  and,  strange  to  tell,  tiicro  are 
many  people  yet  in  Europe,  even  in  tliis  enliifhtened  age, 
who  trenddc  and  become  uneasy  at  the  .sound  of  his 
harmless  croaking.  According  to  Adair,  the  southern 
aborigines  also  invoke  the  Raven  (iir  those  who  are  sick, 
mimicking  his  voice;  and  tiie  native.s  uf  tlie  Mi.s.souri.,  as- 
suming black  us  tlieir  emblem  of  war,  decorate  them- 
selves, on  tlio.se  occasions,  with  tlu!  |)lunies  of  this  dark 
bird.  But  all  the  knowledge  of  the  future,  or  interest  in 
destiny,  possessed  by  the  liuven,  like  that  of  other  inhul>- 
itants  of  the  nir,  is  bounded  by  an  instinciive  feeling  of 
the  changes  which  are  about  to  happen  in  the  atmosphere, 
and  which  he  has  the  faculty  of  announcing  by  certain 
cries  and  actions  produced  by  these  external  impressions. 
In  the  southern  provinces  of  Sweden,  as  Linniuus  re- 
marks, when  the  sky  Is  serene,  the  Raven  flies  very  high, 
and  utters  a  hollow  sound,  like  the  word  clang,  which  is 
heard  to  a  great  distance.  Sometimes  he  has  been  seen 
in  this  midst  of  a  thunder  storm,  with  the  electric  fire 


IT 


204 


OMNIVOttOUS  BIRDS. 


strcnining  irom  the  extremity  of  his  hill,*  a  natural, 
though  extraordinary  phenomenon,  sufficient  to  terrify 
the  superstitious,  and  to  stamp  the  harmless  Gubject  of  it 
witli  the  imaginary  traits  and  attributes  of  a  demon. 

In  ancient  times  when  divination  made  a  part  of  reli- 
gion,  the   Raven,   though  a  bad  prophet,  was  yet  a  very 
interesting  bird  ;  for  the  passion    for  prying  into  future 
events,  even  the   most  dark  and  sorrowful,  is  an  original 
propen'sitv  of  human  nature;  accordingly,  all  the  actions 
of  this  sombre  bird,  all  the   circumstances  of  its   flight, 
and  all  the  different  intonations  of  its  discordant  voice, 
of  which,  no  less  than  04  were  remarked,  had  each  of 
them  an  appropriate  signification  ;  and  there  were  never 
wanting  impostors  to  procure  this  pretended  intelligence, 
nor  people  simple  enough  to  credit  it.     Some  even  went 
so  far,  as  to  impose    upon    themselves,  by  devourmg  the 
heart  and  entrails  of  the  disgusting  Raven,  in  the  strange 
hope  of  thus  appropriating   its   supposed  gift  of  proph- 

ecy.  + 

The  Raven  indeed  not  only  possesses  a  great  many  nat- 
ural inflections  of  voice,  corresponding  to  its  various  feel- 
ings, but  it  has  also  a  talent  for  imitating  the  cries  of 
other  animals,  and  even  mimicking  language.  Accord- 
ing to  Bufl"on,  colas  is  a  word  which  he  pronounces  with 
peculiar  facility.  Connecting  circumstances  with  his 
wants,  Scaliger  heard  one,  which  when  hungry,  learnt 
very  distinctly  to  call  upon  Conrad  the  cook.  The  first 
of  these  words  bears  a  great  resemblance  to  one  of  the 
ordinary  cries  of  this  species,  hmallah,  koinallah.  Be- 
sides possessing,  in  some  measure,  the  faculty  of  imitating 
human  speech,  they  are  at  times,  capable  of  manifesting 
a  durable  attachment  to  their  keeper,  and  become  famil- 


*  Scala  Naturnlis,  apiid  Aldbovakd.  torn.  i.  page.  704. 
t  PoBPHTii.  De  abatinendo  ab  aniinant.  Lib.  ii. 


II 


DS. 

his  bill,*   a  natural, 
,  sufficient  to  terrify 
harmless  subject  of  it 
mtos  of  a  demon. 
1  made  a  part  of  reli- 
•opliet,  was  yet  a  very 
or  prying   into  fiitnre 
irrowful,  in  an  original 
dingly,  all  the  actions 
istanccs  of  its    flight, 
f  its  discordant  voice, 
E marked,  bad  each  of 
and  there  were  never 
)retended  intelligence, 
t  it.     Some  even  went 
Ives,  by  devouring  the 
p  Raven,  in  the  strange 
apposed  gift  of  propli- 

lesses  a  great  many  nat- 
iding  to  its  various  feel- 
imitating  the  cries  of 
ig  language.  Accord- 
ich  he  pronounces  with 
circumstances  with  his 
ih  when  hungry,  learnt 
ad  the  cook.  The  first 
emblance  to  one  of  the 
'noallah,  k&wnllah.  Be- 
,  the  faculty  of  imitating 
capable  of  manifesting 
;per,  and  become  famil- 

ago.  704. 


nAVEKf. 


205 


iar  about  the  house.  Pliny  speaks  of  the  Raven  beintr 
tamed,  and  taught  to  chase  like  the  Falcon  ;  and  Scaliger 
affirms,  that  Louis  the  Twelfth  had  one  that  was  trained 
to  attack  the  Partridge.  Albert  saw  another  a(  Naples, 
which  not  only  caught  Patridgos  and  Pheasants,  but  birds 
of  its  own  species,  when  urged  by  the  presence  of  the 
Falconer. 

The  sense  of  smell,  or  rather  that  of  sight,  is  very 
acute  in  the  Raven,  so  that  he  discerns  the  carrion,  on 
which  he  often  feeds,  at  a  great  distance.  Thucydides 
even  attributes  to  him  the  sagacity  of  avoiding  to  feed  on 
animals  which  had  died  of  the  plague.  Pliny  relates  a 
singular  piece  of  ingenuity  employed  by  this  bird  to  quench 
his  thirst ;  he  had  observed  water  near  the  bottom  of  a 
narrow-necked  vasi^,  to  obtain  which,  he  is  said  to  have 
thrown  in  pebbles,  one  at  a  time,  until  the  pile  elevated 
the  water  within  his  reach.  Nor  does  this  trait,  singular 
as  it  is,  appear  to  be  much  more  sagacious  than  that 
of  carrying  up  nuts  and  shell-fish  into  the  air,  and  drop- 
ping them  on  rocks,  for  the  purpose  of  breaking  them  to 
obtain  their  contents,  otherwise  beyond  his  reach  ;  facts 
observed  by  men  of  credit,  and  recorded  as  an  instinct  of 
the  Raven,  by  Pennant  and  Latham,  [t  is  however  seldom 
that  this  bird,  any  more  than  the  rapacious  kinds,  feels 
an  inclination  for  drinking,  as  their  thirst  is  usually 
quenched  by  the  blood  and  juices  of  their  prey.  The  Ra- 
vens are  also  more  social  than  the  birds  of  prey,  which 
arises  from  the  promiscuous  nature  and  consequent  abun- 
dance of  their  food,  which  allows  a  greater  number  to  sub- 
sist together  in  the  same  place,  without  being  urged  to  the 
stern  necessity  of  solitude  or  famine,  a  condition  to  which 
the  true  rapacious  birds  are  always  driven.  The  habits 
of  this  species  are  much  more  generally  harmless,  than  is 
18 


306 


OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


usually  imagined ;  they  are  useful  to  the  farmer  m  the 
destruction  they  make  of  moles  and  mice,  and  are  often 
very  well  contented  with  insects  and  earth-worms. 

Tiiough  spread  over  the  whole  world,   they  arc  rarely 
ever  birds  of  passage,  enduring  the  winters  even  of  the 
arctic  circle,*  or  the  warmth  of  Mexico,  St.  Domingo, 
and  Madagascar.t     They  are  particularly  attached  to  the 
rocky  eyries  where   they  have   been   bred    and   paired. 
Throughout  the  year  they  are  observed  togetner  in  nearly 
equal  numbers,   and    they   nexer    entirely  abandon   this 
adopted  home.     If  they  descead  into  the  plain,  it  is  to 
collect  subsistence;  but  they  resort  to  the  low  grounds 
more  in  winter  than  summer,   as   they    avoid  the  he^t 
and  dislike  to  wander  from  their    cool  retreats.     They 
never  roost  in  the  woods,  like  Crows  ;  and  have  sufficient 
sagacity  to  choose  in  their  rocky  retreats  a  situation  de- 
fended  from  the  winds  of  the  north,  commonly  under  the 
natural  vault  formed  by  an  extending  ledge  or   cavity  of 
the  rock      Here  they  retire  during  the  night  in  compa- 
nies of  15  to  20.     They  perch   upon   the  bushes  which 
grow    straggling    in  the  clefts  of  the   rocks;    but  they 
form   their  nests  in  the  rocky  crevices,  or  in  the  holes  of 
the  mouldering  walls,  at  the  summits  of  ruined  towers ; 
and  sometim-'s  upon  the  high  branches  of  large  and  soli- 
tary trees.     After  they  have  paired,  their  fidelity  appears 
to  continue  through  life.     The  male  expresses  his  attach- 
ment by  a  particular  strain  of  croaking,  and  they  are  often 
observed   caressing,  by  approaching  their   bills    with  as 
much  semblance  of  affection  as  the  truest  turtle  doves. 
Intemperate  climates,  the    Raven   begins  to  lay  in  the 
months  of  February  or  March.    The  eggs  are  5  or  6,  of  a 
pale  muddy  bluish-green,  marked  with  numerous  spots  and 
lines  of  dark  olive-brown.     She  sits  about  20  days,  and 


*  nichattlsODj  in  Patiy'a  Voyngo. 


t  See  Flacaur. 


1 


he  farmer  in  the 
c,  and   are  often 
th- worms. 
,   they  arc  rarely 
inters  even  of  the 
CO,  St.  Domingo, 
ly  attached  to  the 
>red    and    paired, 
ogctner  in  nearly 
eiy  abandon  this 
the  phiin,  it  is  to 
the  low  grounds 
y    avoid  the  heqt 
1  retreats.     They 
ind  have  sufficient 
its  a  situation  de- 
inmouly  under  the 
edge  or   cavity  of 
3  night  in  compa- 
thc  bushes  which 
rocks;     but  they 
or  in  the  holes  of 
of  ruined  towers ; 
1  of  large  and  soli- 
cir  fidelity  appears 
:presses  his  attach- 
and  they  arc  often 
heir   bills,  with  as 
ruest  turtle  doves, 
egins  to  lay  in  the 
ggs  are  5  or  G,  of  a 
numerous  spots  and 
about  20  days,  and 

t  See  Flacuut. 


nAVEN, 


ao7 


during  this  time  the  male  takes  care  to  provide  her  with 
abundance  of  nourishment.  Indeed,  from  the  (piantity  of 
grain,  nuts,  and  fruits,  which  have  been  found  atthi.s  time 
in  the  environs  of  the  nest,  this  supply  would  appear  to  be  a 
store  laid  up  for  future  occasions.  Whatever  may  be  their 
forethought  regarding  food,  they  have  a  well  known 
propensity  to  hid  things  which  conic  within  their  reach, 
though  useless  to  themselves,  and  appear  to  give  a  prefer- 
ence to  pieces  of  metal,  or  any  thing  which  has  a  bril- 
liant appearance.  At  Erfurt,  one  of  those  birds  had  tiie 
patience  to  carry  and  hide,  one  by  one,  under  a  stone  in 
the  garden,  a  (piantity  of  small  pieces  of  money,  wliicli 
amounted,  when  discovered,  to  5  or  0  florins;  and  there 
are  few  countries  wliich  cannot  afford  similar  instances 
of  their  domestic  thefts. 

Of  the  perseverance  of  the  Raven  in  the  act  of  incuba- 
tion, Mr.  White  has  related  the  following  remarkable  anec- 
dote :  in  the  centre  of  a  grove  near  Selborne,  there  stood 
a  tall  iind  shapeless  oak,  which  bulged  out  into  a  large 
excrescence  near  the  middle  of  the  stem.  On  tliis  tree  a 
pair  of  Ravens  had  fixed  their  residence  for  such  a  series 
of  years,  that  the  oak  was  distinguished  by  the  title  of 
"The  Raven  Tree."  Many  were  the  attempts  of  the 
neighbouring  youths  to  get  at  this  nest ;  the  difficulty 
whetted  tiieir  inclinations,  and  each  was  ambitious  of 
accomplishing  the  arduous  task  ;  but  when  they  arrived  at 
the  swelling,  it  jutted  out  so  in  their  way,  and  was  so  far 
beyond  their  grasp,  that  the  boldest  lads  were  deterred, 
and  acknowledged  the  undertaking  to  be  too  hazardous. 
Thus  the  Ravens  continued  to  build,  and  rear  their  young 
in  security,  until  the  fatal  day  on  which  the  wood  was  to 
be  levelled.  .  This  was  in  the  month  of  February,  when 
these  birds  usually  begin  to  sit.  The  saw  was  applied 
to  the  trunk,  the  wedges  were  driven,  the  woods  echoed 


11- 


208 


OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


to  the  heavy  blows  of  the  beetle  or  mallet,  and  the  tree 
nodded  to  its  fail ;  but  still   the   <lcvoted   Raven  sat  on. 
At  last,  when  it  gave  way,   she  was  flung   from  her  an- 
cient eyry  ;  and,  a  victim  to  parental  affection,  was  whip- 
ped down  by  the  twigs,  and  brought  lifeless  to  the  ground. 
The  young,  at  first  more   white  than  black,  arc  fed  by 
food  previously  prepared  in  the  craw  of  th-  mother,  and 
then  disgorged  by    the  bill,   nearly  in  the  manner  of  pi- 
geons.   \'he  male,  at  this  time,  doubly  vigilant  and  in- 
dustrious, not  only  provides  for,   but  defends  his  family 
vigorously  from  every  hostile  attack,  and  shows  a  particu- 
lar enmity  to  the  Kite,  when  he  appears  in  his  neighbour- 
hood, pouncing  upon  him  and  striking  with  his  bill,  until 
sometimes  both  antagonists  descend  to  the  ground.     The 
young  are  long  and  affectionately  fed  by  the  parents,  and 
though  they  soon  leave  the  nest,  they  remain,  perching 
on  the   neighbouring  rocks,  yet  unable  lo  make  any  ex- 
tensive tliglil,  and  pass  the  time  in  continual  complaining 
cries,  till  t1ic  upi)roach  of  the  parent  with  food,  when  their 
note  changes  into  rrmP,  rrcm,  craw.     Now  and  then,  as 
they  gain  strength,  they  make  efforts  to  fly,  and  then  re- 
turn To  their  rocky  roost.     About  15  days  after  leaving  the 
nest,  they  become  so  well  prepared  for  flight  as  to  accom- 
pany the  parents  out  on  their  excursions  from  morning  to 
night ;  and  it  is  amusing  to  watch  the  progress  of  this  af- 
fectionate association,  the  young  continuing  the  whole 
summer  to  go  out  with  the  old  in  the  morning,  and  as 
regularly  return  with  them  again  in  the  evening,  so  that 
however  we  may  despise  the   appetite  of  the  Raven,  we 
cannot  but  admire  the  instinctive  morality  of  his  nature. 
Like  birds  of  prey,  the  Ravens  reject  from  the  stomach, 
by  the  bill,  the  hard  and  indigestible  parts  of  their  food, 
as  the  stones  of  fruit,  and  the  bones  of  small  fish   which 
they  sometimes  eat. 


ItAVEN. 


209 


illct,  and  the  tree 
ed  Raven  sat  on. 
ung  from  lier  an- 
Tection,  was  whip- 
less  to  the  ground. 
I  black,  arc  fed  by 
jf  til"  mother,  and 
the  manner  ofpi- 
ly  vigilanl  and  in- 
dcfends  his  family 
id  shows  a  particu- 
s  in  his  neighbour- 

witli  his  bill,  until 
I  the  ground.  The 
Dy  the  parents,  and 
!  remain,  perching 
>lc  10  make  any  ex- 
itinual  complaining 
ilh  food,  when  their 

Now  and  then,  as 
to  fly,  and  then  re- 
ays  after  leaving  the 
r  flight  as  to  acconi- 
3ns  from  morning  to 
!  progress  of  this  af- 
tntinuing  the  whole 
the  morning,  and  as 
the  evening,  so  that 
e  of  the  Raven,  we 
)rality  of  his  nature, 
ct  from  the  stomach, 

parts  of  their  food, 
of  small   fish  which 


The  Raven  is  remarkable  also  for  his  longevity,  being 
known  to  live  more  than  a  century.  Although  closely 
related  to  the  tribes  of  smaller  birds,  with  which  he  is 
very  properly  associated,  yet  he  may  still  be  considered 
as  holding  the  place  also  of  an  additional  link  in  the 
order  of  nature  between  the  two  preceding  tribes  of  rapa- 
cious birds,  namely,  the  Vultures  and  Hawks. 

The  color  of  tlie  Raven  is  ii  fine  black,  relieved  with  purple  reflec- 
tions above  ;  tail  black  and  much  rounded.  Bill  strony,  and,  as  well 
as  the  feet,  black.  The  iris  with  2  circles,  greyish  white,  and  cinere- 
ous brown.  The  female  is  a  little  smaller.  It  varies  sometimes  to 
total  whiteness,  or  is  of  a  yellowisli  white.  Occasionally  some  parts 
of  the  body  are  white,  and  others  black  or  rufous, 


THE  CROW. 

{Corms  corone,  Lin.  Wilson,  iv.  p.  79.  pi.  35.  fig.  3.    Pliil.  Museum, 

No.  1246.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Black  and  glossy,  with  violet- colored  reflections; 
the  tail  somewliat  rounded,  e.xtending  but  little  beyond  the 
wings ;  the  feathers  of  the  tail  acute  ;  the  4tli  primary  longest, 
with  the  1st  equal  to  the  !)th.  [Length  18i  inches.] 

The  Crow,  like  the  Raven,  which  it  greatly  resembles, 
is  a  denizen  of  nearly  the  whole  world.  They  are  found" 
even  in  New  Holland,  and  the  Philippine  Islands  ;  they 
are,  however,  rare  in  Sweden,  where  the  Raven  abounds, 
as  they  are  in  the  western  part  of  the  United  States, 
where  this  superior  species  likewise  frequents ;  nor  are 
they  common  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  Union,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  same  antipathy  or  persecution  which  they 
experience  from  the  Vultures.  They  are  also  common 
in  Siberia,  and  plentiful  in  the  artic  deserts  beyond  the 
Lena. 

18* 


910 


oMNivonous  iiinus. 


i^Wtes, 


The  Crow  is  a  constant   and   troublesf  niely    al)undant 
resident  in  most  of  the  settled  districts  of  North  America. 
They  only  retire  into  the  forests  in  the  breeding  season, 
which  takes  place  from  March  to  May.     At  this  time  they 
are  dispersed  through  the  woods  in  pairs,  and  roost  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the   spot  which  they  have  selected  for 
their  nest;  and  the  conjugal  union,  once  formed,  continues 
for  life.  Tlioy  arc  now  very  noisy  and  vigilant  against  any 
intrusion  on  their  purpose,  and  at  times  appear  inlluenced 
by  mutual  jealousy,  but  never  proceed  to  any  violence. 
The  tree  they   select  is  generally  lofty,  and   preference 
seems  often  given  to  some  dark    and   concealing  ever- 
green.    The  nest   is  Ibrmed  externally  of  small  twigs, 
coarsely  interlaced  together,  plastered  and  matted  with 
earth,  moss,  and  long  horse-hair,  and  thickly  and  carefully 
lined  with  large   quantities  of  the  last  material,  wool,  or 
the  finest  fibres  of  roots,  so  as  to  form  a  very  comfortable 
bed  for  the  helpless  and  naked  young.  The  eggs  are  4  to  6, 
of  a  pale  and  dirty  green,  marked  with  numerous  blotches 
and  streaks  of  blackish  brown  or  olive. 

The  male  at  tliis  season  is  extremely  watchful,  recon- 
noitring the  neighbourhood,  and  giving  an  alarm  as  any 
person  happens  to  approach  towards  their  nest,  when  both 
retire  to  a  distance  till  the   intruder   disappears  ;    and  in 
order  the  better  to  conceal  their  iielpless  brood,  they  re- 
main  uncommonly  silent,  until  these  are  in  a  situation  to 
follow  them  on  the  wing.     The  male  also  carries  food  to 
his  mate  while  confined  to  her  eggs,  and  at  times  relieves 
her  by  sitting    in  her   absence.     In   Europe,  when  the 
Raven,    the  Buzzard,  or  the   Kestril  makes  his  appear- 
ance, the  pair  join  instantly  in  the  attack,  and  sometimes, 
by  dint  of  furious   blows,   destroy  their  enemy ;  yet  the 
Butcher-bird,  more  alert  and  courageous,  not  only  resists, 
but  often  vanquishes  the  Crows,  and   carries  off  their 


CROW, 


211 


sf  nioly  abundant 
>1"  North  America. 
I  breeding  season, 

At  this  time  they 
s,  and  roost  in  the 

liiivc  selected  for 
ibrniod,  continues 
igilant  against  any 
appear  influenced 
J  to  any  violence. 
y,  and    preference 

concealing  ever- 
ly  of  small  twigs, 

and  matted  with 
ickly  and  carefully 

material,  wool,  or 
a  very  comfortable 
rhecggs  are  4toG, 
numerous  blotches 
e. 

y  watchful,  recon- 
ig  an  alarm  as  any 
eir  nest,  when  both 
lisappcars ;  and  in 
ess  brood,  they  re- 
are  in  a  situation  to 
also  carries  food  to 
ind  at  times  relieves 
Europe,  when  the 

makes  his  appear- 
ick,  and  sometimes, 
eir  enemy  ;  yet  the 
JUS,  not  only  resists, 
d  carries  off  their 


young.  Lu.e  the  Ravens,  endued  with  an  unrestrained 
and  natural  affection,  they  continue  the  whole  succeed- 
ing summer  to  succour  and  accompany  their  offspring  in 
all  their  undertakings  and  excursions. 

The  Crow  is  equally  omnivorous  with  the  Raven ;  in- 
sects, worms,  carrion,  fish,  grain,  fruits,  and  in  short 
every  thing  digestible  by  any  or  all  the  birds  in  existence, 
being  alike  acceptable  to  this  gormandizing  animal. 
His  destruction  of  bird-eggs  is  also  very  considerable. 
In  Europe  they  are  often  detected  feeding  their  voracious 
young  witii  the  precious  eggs  of  the  Partridge,  which  they 
very  sagaciously  convey  by  carefully  piercing  and  sticking 
them  expertly  on  the  i)ill.  They  also  know  how  to 
break  nuts  and  shell-fish  by  dropping  them  from  a  great 
heigiit  upon  the  rocks  below.*  They  visit  even  the  snares, 
and  devour  the  birds  which  they  find  caught,  attacking 
the  weak  and  wounded  game.  They  also  sometimes  seize 
on  young  chickens  and  ducks,  and  have  even  been  observ- 
ed to  pounce  upon  pigeons,  in  the  manner  of  hawks,  and 
witii  almost  equal  success.  So  familiar  and  audacious  are 
they  in  some  parts  of  the  Levant,  that  they  will  frequent 
the  courts  of  houses,  and  like  harpies  alight  boldly  on  the 
dishes,  as  the  servants  are  conveying  in  the  dinner,  and 
carry  off  the  meat,  if  not  driven  away  by  blows.  In  turn 
however  the  Crow  finds  enemies  too  powerful  for  him  to 
conquer,  such  as  the  Kite  and  Eagle  Owl,  who  occasion- 
ally make  a  meal  of  this  carrion  bird,  a  voracious  pro- 
pensity which  the  Virginian  Owl  also  sometimes  exhibits 
towards  the  same  species.  Wherever  the  Crow  appears, 
the  smaller  birds  take  the  alarm,  and  vent  upon  him  their 
just  suspicions  and  reproaches.     But  it  is  only  the  re- 


*  It  in  related  at  ix  cortoin  aiiciont  philosopher,  walking  along  Iho  soa-shoro  to 
gather  slioils,  thiit  ono  of  thcso  unlucky  tiirds,  mistaking  hia  bald  head  for  a  stono, 
dropped  a  8liell-&Bh  upon  It,  and  thui  killed  at  once  a  philosopher  and  an  ojstor. 


212 


OMNIVOROUS    HIRDS. 


doubtable  King-bird  who  has  courage  for  the  attack,  begin- 
ning tlie  onset  by  pursuing  and  diving  on  liis  back  from 
above,  and  harassing  the  plunderer  with  such  violence,  that 
he  is  generally  gbul  to  gel  oui  of  the  way  and  forego  his 
piratical  visit;  in  short,  a  single  pair  of  these  courageous 
and  (puurelsonie  birds  are  sufficient  to  clear  the  Crows 
from  an  extensive  corn-field. 

The  most  serious  mischief,  of  which  the  Crow  is  guilty, 
is  that  oi  pillaging  the  niai/.e  field.  He  cuniuieiices  at 
the  plunting-tinie,  by  picking  up  and  rooting  out  the 
sprouting  grain,  and  in  the  autumn,  when  it  becomes 
ripe,  wliole  Hocks,  now  assembled  at  their  roosting-places, 
blacken  the  neighbouring  fields  as  soon  as  they  get  into 
motion,  and  do  extensive  damage  at  every  visit,  from  the 
excessive  numbers  who  now  rush  to  the  inviting  feast. 

Their  rendezvous,  or  roosting-places,  are  the  resort  in 
autumn  of  all  the  Crows  and  their  families  for  many  miles 
round.     The  blackening  silent  train   continues  to  arrive 
for  more  than  an  hour  before  sun-set,  and  some  still  strag- 
gle on  until  dark.     They  never  arrive   in  dense  (locks, 
but  always  in  long  lines,  each  falling  into  the  file  as  he 
sees  opportunity.     This  gregarioUs  inclination  is  common 
to  many  l)irds  in  the  autumn,  which  associate  only  in  pairs 
in  the  summer.     The  forests  and  groves,  stripped  of  their 
agreeable  and  protecting  verdure,  seem  no  longer  safe  and 
pleasant  to  the  feathered  nations.     Exposed  to  the  birds  of 
prey,  which  daily  augment  in  numbers  ;  penetrated  by  the 
chilling  blasts,  which  sweep  without  control  through  the 
naked  branches,  the  birds,  now  impelled  by  an  overruling 
instinct,   seek   in   congregated  numbers  some  general, 
safer,  and  more  commodious  retreat.     Islands  of  reeds, 
dark  and  solitary  thickets,  and  neglected  swamps,  are  the 
situations  chosen  for  their  general  diurnal  retreats  and 
roosts.     Swallows,  Black-birds,  Rice-birds,  and   Crows 


CROW. 


918 


10  attack,  bcgin- 
his  back  from 
eh  violence,  that 
^  and  forego  his 
lieso  courajfeous 
clear  the  Crows 

e  Crow  is  guilty, 
c  coinnieiiccs  at 

rooting  out  the 
v\m\  it  becomes 
r  rooHting-places, 

as  they  get  into 
ry  visit,  from  the 
inviting  feast. 

arc  the  resort  in 
es  for  many  miles 
intinues^^  to  arrive 
;1  some  still  strag- 

in  dense  Hocks, 
into  the  file  as  ho 
ination  is  common 
)ciatc  only  in  pairs 
I,  stripped  of  their 
no  longer  safe  and 
losed  to  the  birds  of 
;  penetrated  by  the 
ontrol  through  the 
!d  by  an  overruling 
3rs  some   general. 

Islands  of  reeds, 
ed  swamps,  are  the 
lurnal  retreats  and 
•birds,  and  Crows 


seem  always  to  prefer  the  low  shelter  of  reed-flats.  On 
the  river  Delaware,  in  Pennsylvania,  tiierc  arc  two  of  these 
remarkable  Crow-roosts.  The  one  mentioned  by  Wil- 
son is  an  island  near  Newcastle,  called  the  Pea-Patch, 
a  low,  flat,  alluvial  spot,  just  elevated  above  high-water 
mark,  and  thickly  covered  with  reeds,  on  which  the  Crows 
alight  and  take  shelter  for  the  night.  Whether  this 
roost  be  now  occupied  by  those  birds  or  not,  I  cannot 
pretend  to  say,  but  in  December,  18*^0, 1  had  occasion 
to  observe  tiicir  arrival  on  Reedy  Island,  just  above  the 
commencement  of  the  bay  of  that  river,  in  vast  numbers  ; 
and  as  the  wind  wat'ted  any  beating  ves.sel  towards  the 
shore,  they  rose  in  a  cloud,  and  filled  the  air  with  clamor. 
Indeed,  their  vigilant  and  restless  cawing'  continued  till 
after  dark. 

Creatures  of  more  instinct,  they  foresee  no  perils  be- 
yond their  actual  vision,  and  thus,  when  they  least  expect 
it,  are  sometimes  swept  away  by  an  unexpected  destruc- 
tion. Somo  years  ago,  during  the  prevalence  of  a  sudden 
and  violent  northeast  storm,  accompanied  by  heavy  rains, 
the  P)'fi  Patvli  island  was  wholly  inundated  in  the  night, 
and  the  unfortunate  Crows,  dormant  and  bewildered,  made 
no  attempts  to  escape,  and  were  drowned  by  thousands, 
so  that  their  bodies  blackened  the  .shores  the  following 
day  for  several  miles  in  extent. 

The  Crow,  like  many  other  bir<ls,  becomes  injurious 
and  formidable  only  in  the  gregarious  season.  At  other 
times  they  live  so  scattered,  and  are  so  shy  nn<l  cautious, 
that  they  arc  but  seldom  seen.  But  their  armies,  like  all 
other  great  and  terrific  assemblies,  have  the  power,  in 
limited  districts,  of  doing  very  sensible  mischief  to  the 
agricultural  interests  of  the  community  ;  and  in  conse- 
quence, the  poor  Crow,  notwithstanding  his  obvious  ser- 
vices in  the  destruction  of  a  vast  host  of  insects  and  their 


5»;jjff«- 


ai4 


OMNlVOnOTIB  Hiiins. 


larva),  in  proscribed  as  a  fi-lon   in  all  civilized  countries, 
and,  with  the  wolvi-s,  pantJiers,  (uid  I'oxom,  ii  prion  in  put 
upon  iiis  liead.    In  conM'(|uence,  various  mean.-*  of  ensnar- 
ing the  outlaw  have  been  liad    rciour»e  to.     Of  the  gun 
he  is  extremely  cantiouH,  and  suspects  its  appearance  at 
the  first  {fiance,  jM-rceiving   witli  ready  sagacity  the  wily 
manner  of  the  fowler.     So  fearfu:  ;iMd  suspicii  us  are  they 
of  human    artifices,  that  a  nier<    line  strctclied  round  ii 
field  is  often  found  sufficient  to  deter  these  wily  l)ird» 
from  a  visit  to  the    corn-field.     Against   poison  he  is  not 
80guar<i<-d,  and  .souietimes  corn  steeped    in  hellebore   is 
given  iiim,  which  creates  giddiness  and  death.     Acced- 
ing to  Buffon,  pieces  of  paper  in  the  fiirin  of  a  hollow  cone, 
smeared  inside  with  iiird-lime,  and  containing  bitso'rcw 
meat,  have  Ix-en   euiploycl       In  attempting    to  gain   tne 
bait,  the  dupe   becomes  instantly   hood-winked,   and,  n» 
the  safest  course  out  of  the  way  of  danger,  the  Crow  Hies 
directly  upwards  to  a  great  heigiit,  but  becoming  fatigued 
with  tiie  exertion,  he  generally  descends  pretty  near  to  the 
place  from  which  he  started,  and  is  then  easily  taken. 

Another  curious  method,  related  by  h  same  author,  is 
that  of  pinning  a  live  Crow  to  the  ground  by  the  wings, 
8tretclu<l  out  on  his  back,  and  retained  in  this  posture 
by  two  -ciiarp,  forked  sticks.  In  this  situation,  his  loud 
cries  attract  other  Crows,  who  come  sweeping  down  t» 
the  postrate  prisoner,  and  are  grappled  in  his  claws.  In 
this  way  each  successive  prisoner  may  be  made  the  in- 
nocent means'of  capturing  his  companion.  Tiie  reeds  in 
which  they  roost,  when  dry  enough,  are  sometimes  set  on 
fire  al.so  to  procure  their  destruction  ;  ami,  to  add  to  the 
fatality  produced  by  the  tlames,  gunners  are  also  station- 
ed round  to  destroy  those  that  atterapt  to  escape  by  flight. 
In  severe  winters  they  suffer  occasionally  from  famine  and 


rnow. 


MA 


vilizrd  countries, 
<0H,  n  jirici;  i»  put 
1  mciiii!*of  i'M.><iiiir- 
to.     Of  tho  gun 
its  a|i|)(!aruiicc  iit 
snjrHcily  tlin  wily 
uspicii  us  arc  they 
Mtrctciied  round  a 
tlicso   wily  birds 
t  poison  lu>  is  not 
m1    in  lifilcboro   is 
il  dcatli.     Acco'd- 
n  of  a  lioliow  coii«t, 
tainin^'  bits  o'  rt;w 
pting   to  gain   ;no 
d-winkcd,   and,  nn 
jrcr,  tlic  Crow  flies 
becoming  fatigued 
s  pretty  near  to  the 
m  easily  taken. 
Il    same  autlior,  is 
)Uiid  by  the  wings, 
ed  in  tliis  posture 
Hituation,  his  loud 
sweeping  down  tt> 
i  in  his  claws.     In 
ay  be  made  the  in- 
ion.     The  reeds  in 
e  sometimes  set  on 
and,  to  add  to  the 
jrs  are  also  station- 
to  escape  by  flight, 
ily  from  famine  and 


cold,  and  fall  sometimes  dead  in  the  fiehls.  According 
to  Wilson,  in  one  of  these  severe  seasons,  more  than  (HM) 
Crows  w(>re  shot  on  the  carcass  of  a  dea<l  horse,  which 
was  placed  at  a  proper  shooting  distance  from  a  stable. 
The  premiums  obtained  for  thesf,  and  the  price  procured 
for  tiie  (piills,  produced  to  tin;  fatuKir  nearly  tiie  value  of 
the  horse  when  living,  besides  aflbrding  feathers  sulhcient 
to  fill  a  bed  ! 

The  Crow  is  easily  raised  and  domesticated,  and  soon 
learns  to  distinguish  the  dilfereiit  members  of  tin:  family 
with  which  he  is  associated.  He  screams  at  the  approach 
of  a  stranger;  learns  to  open  the  door  by  alighting  on  the 
latch  ;  attends  regularly  at  meal  times ;  is  very  noisy  and 
loquacious ;  imitates  the  sound  of  various  words  which  he 
hoars  ;  is  very  thievish,  given  to  hiding  curiosities  in 
holes  and  crevices,  and  is  very  f(tn<l  of  carrying  ofC 
pieces  of  mental,  corn,  bread,  and  food  of  all  kinds;  he  is 
also  particularly  attached  to  the  society  of  his  master, 
and  recollects  him  sometimes  after  a  long  absence. 

It  is  commonly  believed  and  asserted  in  some  parts 
of  this  c(juntry,  that  the  Crows  eiij^age  at  times  in  gene- 
ral combat ;  but  it  has  never  been  ascertained  whether 
this  hostility  arises  from  civil  discord,  or  the  oppo.sition 
of  two  dilferent  species,  contesting  for  some  exclusive 
privilege  of  subsisting-ground.  Il  is  well  known  that 
Rooks  often  contend  with  each  other,  and  drive  away,  by 
every  persecuting  means,  individuals  who  arrive  among 
them  from  any  other  rookery. 

The  Crow  is  much  smaller  than  tiie  Raven,  and  is  of  a  deep  black 
with  violet  rerteclions.  The  bill  and  feet  are  also  black.  The  iris 
hazel.  (The  European  bird  is  20  incliec.  or  nearly.)  The  female  is 
smaller,  and  the  reflections  of  the  pluniage  are  less  lively.  It  varies 
sometimes  to  yellowish  or  greyish  white,  and  occasionally  the  plu- 
mage is  more  or  less  varied  with  white  feathers.  Sometimes  one  part 
or  otiier  of  thejiody  will  be  wlute  or  rufous  grey. 


'1^ 

ft 


tie 


OMNIVOBOUB  niIU>»«. 


N„ rr  (>rr.Mion«!ly  (in  Europe)  llir  Crow  produc.-.  a  l.yl.rul  with 
U.e  lloo.W.1  trow,  wl.id.  ..pp««r-  i.,t.rm.di.>t»  l...twem.  t).-  .wo  .p«. 
Oiei.  Thii  circuiuitanr.  occurn  in  the  Houlh  nnil  e««t  ol  Kurope, 
wi.err  tl..  black  Cow  i.  rar.  ;  but  never  h«ppen«  where  butb  npecei. 
are  oouuaun. 


TIIK  FISH  CROW. 

(C0rvu»  ossifragH,,  W....on,  v.  p.  iW.  pi.  :t7.  fitf.  2.    Philad.  Mum- 

uin,  No.  13(;!l.) 
RP  CiiAHUT.--01o8Hy  black,  with  violet  reflection!.;  the  rliin  na- 
ked ■  tail  HiiKhlly  rounded,  extendins  more  limn  an  inch  boyond 
th..  lol.l..d  wintfH  ;    the  4th  primary  longent ;  the  Ut  much  Hhorter 
than  llie  lllh;  (length  l(>  incheH.) 

Wilson  was*  the  first  to  observe  the  distinctive  triiits  of 
this  smaller  and  peculiar  American  species  of  Crow  along 
the  sea-coast  of  Georgia.     It  is  also  met  with  as  far  north 
as  the  coast  of  New  Jersey.     It  keei)s  apart  from   the 
common  species,  and  instead  of  assembling  to  roost  among 
the  reeds    at  night,   retires,  towards  evcninji,   fr.mi    the 
shores  which  afford  it  a  subsistence,  and  perches  in  the 
neighbouring  woods.     Its  notes,  probably  various,  arc  at 
times  hoarse  and  guttural,  at  others  weaker  and  higher. 
They  pass  most  part  of  their  time  near  rivers,  hovering 
over  the  stream  to  catch  up  dead  and  perhaps  living  fish, 
or  other  animal  matters  which  Hoat  within  their  reach  ;  nt 
these  they  dive   with  considerable  celerity,  and   seizing 
them  in  their  claws,   convey  them  to  an  adjoininsr  tree, 
and  devour  the  fruits  of  their  predatory  industry  at  leisure. 
They  also  snatch  up  water-lizards  in  the  same  manner; 
and,  la..t  winter,  on  the  broad  bosom  of  the  Santee,  at 
Charleston,  where  they  were  abundant,  I  observed  a  strife 
between  a  pair  of  these  birds  and  a  Herring-Gull,  whom 
they  attempted  to  plunder  of  his  legitimate  prey.     It  is 


iroclucBBaliyliriil  with 
lirtween  lli*"  tw"  up*- 
I  mill  ea»t  nl'  Kiimpp, 
iivH  where  Ih>IIi  Hpecien 


fig.  2.     Pliilttd.  MuM- 

lectioim  ;  the  chin  na- 
n  than  an  inch  beyond 
;  the  l»t  mucii  Hhotter 

ilistinctivo  trnita  of 
ccies  of  Crow  along 
let  with  as  far  north 
-])s  apart  troiii  the 
DliuRto  roost  among 

evening,   from    the 
and  pcrchcH  in  the 
ably  various,  arc  at 
weaker  and  lii<j;hcr. 
!ar  rivers,  hovoring 
I  perhaps  living;  fish, 
ithin  their  rcacli ;   at 
elerity,   and   seizing 
?t  an   a(ljoinins>'  tree, 
■y  industry  at  leisure. 
n  the  same  manner; 
m  of  the  Santee,  at 
nt,  I  observed  a  strife 

Herring-Gull,  whom 
gitiniate  prey.     It  is 


"T? 


FIOII    CROW. 


217 


amusing  to  sec  with  what  stoiidy  watchfulness  they 
hover  over  the  water  in  -earch  of  their  precarious  food, 
having,  in  fact,  all  the  traita  of  the  Oull ;  hut  they  Huhsiat 
more  on  accidontal  supplies,  than  hy  any  regular  system 
of  fishing.  On  land  they  have  sometimes  all  the  famil- 
iarity of  the  Magpye,  hopping  up  on  the  backs  of  cattle,  in 
whose  company  they,  no  doubt,  occasionnlly  meet  with  a 
supply  of  insects  when  other  sources  fail.  They  are  also 
regular  in  their  attendance  on  the  fishermen  of  New  Jer- 
sey for  the  purpose  of  gleaning  up  the  refuse  of  the  fish. 
They  are  nl.so  loss  shy  and  suspicious  than  the  common 
Crow,  and,  showing  no  inclination  for  plundering  the 
corn-lields,  are  rather  friends  than  enemies  to  tiie  fiirmer. 
They  appear  near  Philadelphia,  from  the  middle  of 
March  to  the  b(!ginning  of  June,  during  the  season  of  the 
shad  and  herring  hsiiery. 

They  breed  in  New  Jersey  in  tall  trees,  and  have  a 
brood  of  4  or  5  young,  with  whom  they  are  seen  in  com- 
pany in  the  month  of  July. 

The  FiBhing  Crow  Ih  10  iiiclu's  long,  nnd  3.1  in  nlir  extent.  The 
chin  iri  barn  of  I'eiithers  around  the  biiNe  ol'  the  lower  nmndible. 
The  eye  very  small.  Iridg  dark  hazel.  Clnwn  black,  Hh«rp,  ^ond 
long,  thi»  hind  one  largest.     Male  and  feinale-THych  alike. 

This  species  bears  some  reHeinblunce  to  the  Rook  in  general  ap-  ■ 
pearance,  ond  by  the  bare  space  near  the  bill,  but  it  is  snialler,  longer 
tailed,  and  wholly  ditterent  in  its  habits  and  mode  of  living.  The 
gregarious  character  of  the  Rook  is  very  remarkable  ;  more  than  a 
dozen  nests  may  be  counted  in  the  same  tree,  and  some  scores  are 
seen  in  the  same  vicinity.  They  very  seldom  remove  from  the 
places  thus  chosen,  and  if  a  straggling  pair  attempt  to  intrude  into 
the  rookery,  as  they  are  apt  to  do  from  their  instinctive  dislike  of 
solitude,  severe  contests  ensue.  In  the  year  1783,  a  pair  of  tliese 
birds,  driven  from  settling  in  the  general  resort  in  the  neighbourliood 
of  the  exchange  at  Newcastle,  took  refuge,  at  length,  on  the  spire  of 
tliat  building,  and  though  still  interrupted  by  the  neighbouring  Rooks, 
they  contrived  to  fix  tli-ir  neat  on  the  top  of  the  vane,  and  vidis- 
turbed  by  the  noise  of  the  populace  below,  they  reared  their  y  Jung, 

19 


dL 


218 


OMNIVOROUS    BIRDS. 


who  with  the  nest  and  its  owners,  were  turned  about  by  every 
change  of  the  wind.  They  returned  and  continued  to  refit  tlie  nest 
for  10  successive  years,  until  the  taking  down  of  Uie  spire  put  an  end 
to  their  aerial  castle. 


COLUMBIAN  CROW. 

(Conm  columiianus,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  29.  pi.  20.  fig.  2.    Philad.  Mu- 
seuni.  No.  1371.)  ^ 

Sp  Charact.  -  Brownish-white  ;  wings,  and  2  middle  tail  feathers 

bliush  shining  black;   the  secondaries  white  at  the  sununita; 

outer  tail  feathers  wliite. 

Of  the  habits  of  this  curious  small  species  nothing  more 
is  known,  than  that  its  discoverers,  Lewis  and  Clarke 
and  their  party,  met  with  it  abundantly  on  the  shores  of 
the  Columbia  river,  in  Northwestern  America,  and  that 
they  were  noisy  and  gregarious  like  the  common  species, 
for  which  some  of  the  party  mistook  them.  From  its 
formidable  claws,  and  its  resorting  to  the  banks  of  rivers 
and  the  sea-coast,  it  probably  feeds  on  fish. 

Tlie  length  of  this  Crow,  of  which  this  was  the  only  specimen 
brought,  was  13  inclies.  The  2  middle  tail-feathers,  and  the  mteri- 
or  vanes  of  Ihe  next,  except  at  the  tip,  are  black,  and,  as  well  as  the 
wings,  rfossed  with  steel  blue.  The  tail  rounded,  and  about  the 
sa.ne  kngth  with  the  folded  wings ;  the  2  middle  tail-feathers  are 
somewhat  shorter  than  the  adjoining.  Vent  white.  The  claws  black 
and  large.    Bill  dark  horn-color. 


Subgenus.  — Pica.  {Magiiics.) 

The  feathers  of  the  head  not  erectile.  The  tail  very  long  and 
wedge-shaped.  The  general  color  of  these  birds  is  black  and  white, 
sometimes  variegated,  also  wholly  dark. 

They  advance  by  leaps  instead  of  steps;  and  have  usually  a  low 
and  short  flight.  . 


«;* 


)S. 


turned  about  by  every 
ontmued  to  refit  the  nest 
m  of  tlie  spire  put  an  end 


,ow. 

.  20.  fig.  2.    Philad.  Mu- 

and  2  middle  tail  feathers 
1  white  at  the  sununita; 

species  nothing  more 
rs,  Lewis  and  Clarke 
intly  on  the  shores  of 
rn  America,  and  that 
3  the  common  species, 
;ook  them.     From  its 

to  the  banks  of  rivers 

on  fish. 

is  was  the  only  specimen 
il-feathers,  and  the  interi- 
e  black,  and,  as  well  as  the 
il  rounded,  and  about  the 
■  2  middle  tail-feathers  are 
nt  white.   The  claws  black 


Magpies.) 

.    The  tail  very  long  and 
ise  birds  is  black  and  white, 

ps ;  and  have  usually  a  low 


MAGPIE. 

(Corms  pirn,   Lm.  Wilson,  iv.  p.  75.  pi.  35.  fig.  2.    Philad,  Muse- 
um, No.  1333.) 

Sp.  Charact.  — Of  a  deep  velvety  black;  the  belly,  primaries  on 
the  inner  web,  and  scapulars  white  ;  the  tail  about  10  inches 
^°^g!  greenish  black  with  bronzed  reflections. 

This  bird  is  much  more  common  in  Europe  than  in 
America,  being  confined  in  this  country  to  the  northern 
regions,  and  to  the  extensive  plains  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains  west  of  the  Mississippi.  Thence  they  continue 
to  the  banks  of  the  Columbia,  and  on  the  opposite  side  of 
northern  and  temperate  Asia,  are  found  in  Kamschatka, 
Japan,  and  China.  They  are  sometimes  met  with  as  far 
down  the  Missouri  as  Boonsborough  in  the  severity  of 
winter,  driven  from  the  western  wilderness,  only  by  the 
imperious  calls  of  hunger.  In  summer  they  are  so  rare, 
even  in  the  Missouri  territory,  that  from  March  to  Octo- 
ber, and  from  St.  Louis  to  the  trading-house  at  the  Man- 
dans,  a  distance  by  the  river  x)f  1600  miles,  a  party  of 


3S0 


OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


near  70  men,  attended  by   constant  hunters,  never  met 
with  a  single  Pie,  nor  were  any  appearances  of  their  nests 
any    where    visible.     1100  miles  up  the    Arkansa,  and 
more    than    1000   up    Red   River,   countries   which    1 
visited  in  summer    never  presented  a  specimen  ot    this 
otherwise  familiar  and  roving  bird.     The  season  of  incu- 
bation  with   the    American  Pies,  so  different  from  their 
familiar  habits  in  the  old  continent,  is  passed,  no  doubt 
in  the  wooded  recesses  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  which 
abound  with  berries  and  acorns,  and  with  small  birds  and 
their  eggs.     They  are  known  to  make  so  great  a  destruc- 
tion among  the  eggs  of  Grous,  Pheasants,  Partridges,  and 
even  among  young  chickens,  in  many  parts  of  burope,  as 
to  be  proscribed  by  law,  and  destroyed  for   the  premium 
justly  set  on  their  heads.     The  absence  of  food  and  shelter 
for  their  nests  in  summer,  suitable  for  the  Magpie,  on  the 
vast  prairies  of  the  Arkansas  and  Missouri   particularly 
toward  the  sandy  deserts  at  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, will  probably  continue  as  a  perpetual  barrier  to  the 
eastornmigrationsofthis  mischievous  species,  whoseineans 

of  flight  and  travelling  are  still  more  circumscibed  than 
those  of  the  common  Crow.  They  consequently  experience 
annually,  in  the  terrible  vicissitudes  of  climate  incident 
to  the  countries  they  inhabit,  like  the  Esquimaux  of  the 
arctic  regions,  either  a  feast  or  a  famine,  and  are  rendered 
so  bold  and  voracious  by  want,  that  in   the  vicinity  of 
the  northern  Andes,  towards  New  Mexico,  Colonel  Pike 
was  visited  by  them  in  the  month  of  December,  in  lati- 
tude 41°   while  the  thermometer  was  at  the  dreadful  line 
of  no  below  zero,  on  the  scale  of  Reaumur.     They  now 
assembl.  d  round  the  miserable  party  in  great  numbers  for 
the  purpose  of  picking  the  sore  backs  of  their  perishing 
horses,  and,  like  the  Vulture  of  Prometheus,  they  did  not 
await  the  death  of  the  subjects  they  tormented,  but  fed 


MHlMM^MMka 


unters,  never  met 
nces  of  their  nests 
he   Arkansa,  and 
ountries    which    I 
specimen  of   this 
he  season  of  incu- 
lifferent  from  their 
passed,  no  doubt, 
Mountains,  which 
ith  small  birds  and 
so  great  a  destruc- 
ts.  Partridges,  and 
parts  of  Europe,  as 
1  for   the  premium 
i  of  food  and  shelter 
the  Magpie,  on  the 
issouri,  particularly 
•  the  Rocky  Moun- 
letual  barrier  to  the 
pecies,  whose  means 
I  circumscibed  than 
equently  ^;xperience 
of  climate  incident 
3  Esquimaux  of  the 
ne,  and  are  rendered 
in    the  vicinity  of 
exico,  Colonel  Pike 
f  December,  in  lati- 
i  at  the  dreadful  line 
Ddumur.     They  now 
in  great  numbers  for 
ks  of  their  perishing 
letheus,  they  did  not 
sy  tormented,  but  fed 


MAGPIE. 


221 


upon  them  still  living,  till  their  flesh  was  raw  and  bleed> 
ing.  They  were  even  so  bold  and  familiar  as  to  alight  on 
the  men's  arms,  and  eat  flesh  out  of  their  hands.* 

To  the  party  of  Lewis  and  Clark  the  Magpies  were 
also  very  familiar  and  voracious,  so  that  they  penetrated 
into  their  tents,  and  without  ceremony,  like  the  Harpies 
of  Virgil,  snatched  the  meat  even  from  the  dishes,  pre- 
ferring the  chance  of  any  death  to  that  of  pining  hunger. 
They  were  also  frequent  attendants  on  the  hunters,  and 
while  these  were  engaged  in  dressing  and  skinning  their 
game,  the  Pies  would  venture  to  seize  the  meat  sus- 
pended within  a  foot  or  two  of  their  heads. 

Impelled  by  hunger,  this  species  does  not  refuse  to  feed 
on  carrion,  but  their  usual  familiar  visits  to  the  backs  of 
cattle  have  a  beneficial  tendency,  as  they  rid  them  of  the 
larvoe  which  burrow  and  nestle  in  the  skin  ;  they  also  eat 
various  kinds  of  grain,  acorns,  seeds,  fruits,  and  other 
vegetable  substances,  and  are  greedy  of  worms,  and  in- 
sects of  all  kinds. 

The  Pie  is  also  easily  domesticated,  and  taught  to  imi- 
tate the  human  voice,  articulating  <'/ords  with  distinctness 
and  emphasis.  One  which  I  saw,  thus  familiarized,  was 
very  fond  of  accosting  passengers  by  what  7  what  ?  what  ? 
and  hearing  the  inmates  where  he  dwelt  energetically 
pronounce  oaths,  he  became  an  adept  at  profane  language. 
He  is  readily  accustomed  to  the  sight  of  man,  being  very 
familiar  in  the  house,  of  which,  in  time,  he  makes  him- 
self the  master;  not  fearing  even  the  cats,  with  whom  he 
has  been  known  to  live  securely,  and  even  pass  upon 
them  various  tricks. 

He  is  extremely  restless,  active,  and  capricious  on  the 
ground,  over  which  he  leaps  with  antic  gait,  and  con- 


*  Piko's  Jouniiil,  p.  170. 


333 


OMNIVOUOrS  BIRDS. 


tinues  briskly  moving  his  tail  in  different  directions;  he  is 
also  very  mischievous,  and  given  to  mocking  and  imitat- 
ing all  he  sees  and  hears.  His  common  prate  is  like 
that  of  the  Crow,  but,  besides  his  imitations  of  speech,  he 
will  sometimes  counterfeit  the  lowing  of  the  calf,  the 
bleating  of  the  goat,  the  shoep,  and  even  the  flagelet  of 
the  shepherd.  One  has  been  heard  to  imitate  the  flour- 
ish of  a  trumpet ;  and  WiUughby  saw  several  that  could 
pronounce  whole  phrases. 

Like  the  Crow,  the  Pie  has  the  habit  of  stealing  and 
hiding  provisions  or  pieces  of  money,  which  it  per- 
forms with  so  much  art,  that  they  are  often  difficult  to  be 
found.  It  is  pretended  by  hunters,  that  the  Pie  has  a 
knowledge  of  arithmetic  up  to  5,  so  that  when  from  2  to 
that  number  of  men  entered  a  hut  near  the  nest,  it  would 
not  venture  into  it,  while  2,  3,  or  4  of  the  5  came  out,  and 
only  lost  count  when  the  experiment  was  made  with  6. 

Cunning  and    precaution  indeed  prevail  in  all  the  ac- 
tions of  the  Pie,  and  arc  in  nothing  more  evident  than  in 
the  construction  of  his  nest,  which  is  situated  either  m  a 
large  tree,  or  a  high  and  close  bush  on  the   edge  of  the 
forest  or  the  orchard,  and  often  in  the  tall  hedge-row  near 
the  cottage.     They  both  unite  in  the  necessary  labor,  and 
begin  by  fortifying  it  externally  with  flexible  twigs,  fil- 
ling in  towards  the  bottom  pieces  of  turf  and  clay  ;  it  is 
then  wholly  covered   with  a  canopy  or   defence   formed 
with  small  thorny  branches,  well  interlaced  together,  and 
leaving  an  entrance  only  in  the  best  defended  and  least 
accessible  side.     Internally  the  nest  is  covered  with  a 
thick  layer  of  well-wrought  clay  ;  this  is  then  lined  with  a 
mass  of  pliable  root  fibres  neatly  interlaced  together,  which 
is  in  reality  the  true  nest  or  bed  for  the  tender  young, 
and  is  only  about  6  inches  in  diameter,  while  the  whole  of 
the  defensive  outworks  give  a  diameter  of  at  least  2  feet 


MAGPIE. 


223 


t  directions ;  he  is 
iking  and  imitat- 
ion prate  is  like 
ions  of  speech,  he 
of  the  calf,  the 
en  the  flagelet  of 
}  imitate  the  flour- 
severa!  that  could 

it  of  stealing  and 
y,  which  it  per- 
ften  difficult  to  be 
lat  the  Pie  has  a 
at  when  from  2  to 

the  nest,  it  would 
le  5  came  out,  and 
as  made  with  6. 
evaii  in  all  the  ac- 
»re  evident  than  in 
situated  either  in  a 
1  the  edge  of  the 
;all  hedge-row  near 
ecessary  labor,  and 

flexible  twigs,  fil- 
urf  and  clay  ;  it  is 
jr  defence  formed 
laced  together,  and 
defended  and  least 

is  covered  with  a 
is  then  lined  with  a 
ced  together,  which 
•  the  tender  young, 
,  while  the  whole  of 
er  of  at  least  2  feet 


The  eggs  are  3  to  6  in  number,  rather  long,  and  of  a 
whitish  green,  spotted  with  cinereous  grey  and  olive 
brown.  Near  Portsoy,  in  Scotland,  a  pair  of  Magpies  for 
several  succeeding  years  built  their  nest,  and  brought  up 
their  young  in  a  gooseberry  bush  ;  and  tlie  more  secure- 
ly to  defend  this  lowly  mansion,  they  encircled  the  bush 
with  briars  and  thorns  in  such  a  manner,  that  no  sort  of 
enemy  but  man  could  gain  access  to  it.  They  annually 
repaired  and  fortified  their  dwelling  in  each  succeeding 
spring  with  strong  thorny  twigs,  sometimes  so  large  that 
the  pair  jointly  employed  their  force,  dragging,  at  either 
end,  a  stick  that  they  were  unable  to  lift  from  the 
ground. 

The  Pies  also  defend  their  nest  and  young  with  great 
courage  from  the  approach  of  the  Crow,  or  even  the  Fal- 
con and  Eagle,  and  are  said  occasionally  to  carry  off  the 
eggs,  if  tiie  nest  be  too  curiously  observed.    As  might  have 
been  anticipated  from  his  sagacity,  the  Pie  has  been  con- 
sidered as  a  messenger  of  fate  in  the  north  of  Europe,  and 
I  have  myself,  when  a  boy,  been  often  delighted  or  vexed, 
by  the  augural  destiny  of  their  appearance   in  certain       ^ 
lucky  or  unlucky  numbers.     The  antiquity  of  this  super-     ^r 
stition,  still  in  existence,  goes  back  probably  to  the  time  - 
of  the  Romans. 

This  species  is  18  to  10  inches  in  length.  The  feathers  of  the  tail 
are  of  very  unequal  lengths.  The  bill,  iris,  and  feet  are  black.  Th« 
secondaries  purplish  blue.  — The  Pie  varies  sometimes  to  pure  white, 
with  a  reddish  iris,  being  then  aii  albino.  Sonietinies  the  whole  plum, 
age  is  variegated  with  tints  of  rufous  grey,  or  black.  Occasionally, 
according  to  BufFon,  it  occurs  wholly  black. 

Note.  A  second  North  American  Magpie  was  met  with  in  Frank- 
lin's Arctic  Expedition,  which  has  been  described  by  Sabine  under 
the  name  of  Corvus  kudsonius. 


224 


OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


Subgenus.  — GARRrLUS.  {Jci/s.) 

With  the  bill  rather  «hort  and  straight;  the  upper  mandible  ..■'me. 
what  inflected  at  tip  •,  the  lower  keeled.  Feathers  of  the  head  ca- 
Jab  of  being  erected  at  will.  The  wings  not  extend.ng  to  the  Up 
of  the  tail.  The  colors  usually  brilliant,  frequently  w.th  more  or 
less  ofblue,  or  of  the  still  brighter  colors  of  the  Roller  (Coracms.) 

Theyap;ear  noisy  and  inquisitive;  like  the  P.es  progress  by 
leaps,  and  with  them,  have  a  lo-.^  and  unprotracted  flight. 


BLUE  JAY. 

^Corrus  crista^-,  La..  Wn.so.,  i.  p.  U-  pL  1-  fig-  ^    I'hilad.  Mnse- 
^  um,  No.         ) 

s,  Cha.act   -Crested,  and  blue;  beneath  whitish  with  a  black 
ollar    the  wing-coverts  transversely  barred  with  black  ;  the  ta.1 
wedge-shaped. 


I 


per  mandible  g.^me- 
?re  of  the  head  oa- 
Bxtending  to  the  tip 
^ntly  with  moie  or 
loller  (Corntias.) 
!  Pies,  progress  by 
led  flight. 


fig.  1.    Philad.  Mnse- 

1  whitish  with  a  black 
ert  with  black  ;  the  tail 


BLUE  JAY 


225 


This  elegant  and  common  species  is  met  with  through- 
out Am.-rica.  In  the  interior,  from  tiio  remote  north- 
western  regions  near  Peace  river  in  the  r>4  degree,  Lake 
Winnipi.jue  in  the  49=;  and  southwcstward  to  the 
bauk.s  of  the  Arkansa,  and  New  California;  also  along 
the  Atlantic  regions  from  Newfoundland  to  the  peninsula 
of  Florida,  and  the  shores  of  the  Gulph  of  Mexico. 

The  Blue  Jay  is  a  constant  inhabitant  both  of  the  wood- 
ed wilderness  and  the  vicinity  of  the  settled  farm,  though 
more  familiar  at  the   approach  of  winter   and  early  in 
spring,  than  at  any  other  season.     These  wanderings  or 
limited  migrations  are  induced  by  necessity  alone ;   his 
hoards  of  grain,  nuts,  and  acorns,  cither  have  failed,  or 
are  forgotten  ;  for,  like  other  misers,  he  ia  more  assiduous 
to  amass,  than  to  expend  or  enjoy  his  stores,  and  the  fruits 
of  his  labors  very  frequently  either  devolve  to  the  rats  or 
squirrels,  or  accidentelly  assist  in  the  replanting  of  the  for- 
est.   Ilis  visits  at  this  time  are  not  uiif:e"".ent  in  tbp  (rar- 
den  and  orchard,  and  his  usual  petulant  Iddress,  o(  djdy^ 
J^y,  jay,  and  other  harsh  and  trumpeting  articulations,' 
soon  make  his  retreat  known  to  all  in  his  neighbourhood! 
So  habitual  is  this  centinel  cry  of  alarm,  and  so  expres- 
sive, that  all  the  birds  within  call,  as  well  as  other  will** 
animals,  are  instantly  on  the  alert,  so  that  the  fowler  and 
hunter  become  generally  disappointed  of  their  game  by  . 
this  his  garrulous  and  noisy  propensity ;   he  is  therefore, 
for  his  petulance,  frequently  killed  without  pity  or  profit, 
as  his  flesh,  though  eaten,  has  but  little  to  recommend  it! 
His  more  complaisant  notes,  when  undisturbed,  though 
guttural  and  echoing,  are  by  no  means  unpleasant,  and 
fall  in  harmoniously  with  the  cadence  of  the  feathered 
choristers  around  him,  so  as  to  form  a  finishing  part  to 
the  general  musio  of  the  grove.     His  accents  of  blandish- 
raent,  wiien  influenced  by  the  softer  passions,  are  low  and 


OMNIVOROUS  BIRU9. 


musical,  so  as  to   be  scarcely   beard   beyond  the  thick 
branches  where  ho  sits  conceuled ;  but,  as  soon  as  dis- 
covered, he  bursts  out  into  notes  of  rage  and  reproach, 
accompanying  his  voice  by  jerks  and  actions  of  temerity 
and  defiance.     Indeed  the  Jay  of  Europe,  with  whom  our 
beau  agrees  entirely  in  habits,  is  so  irascible  and  violent 
in  his  movements,  as  sometimes  to  strangle  himself  in  the 
narrow  fork  of  a  branch  from  which  he   has  been   found 
suspended.*    Like  the  European  species,  he  also  exhibits 
a  great  antipathy  to  the  Owl,  and  by  his  loud  and  savage 
vociferation  soon  brings  together  a  noisy  troop  of  all  the 
busy  birds  in  tho  neighbourhood.     To  this  garrulous  at- 
tack the  night-wanderer  has  no  reply,  but  a  threatening 
Btare  of  indifference  ;  and,  as  soon  as  opportunity  offers, 
he  quietly  slips  from  his  -slandering  company.     Advan- 
tage, in  some  countries,  is  taken  of  this  dislike  for  the 
purpose  of  catching  birds;  thus  the  Owl  beinjr  lot  out  of 
a  box,  sometimes  makes  a  hoot,  which  instantly  assem- 
bles a  motley  group,  who  are  then  caught  by  liming  the 
neighbouring  twigs  on  which  they  perch.     In  this  gosSl^ 
the  Jay  and  Crow  are  always  sure  to  take  part,  if  within 
sightr  or  hearing  of  the  call,  and  are  thus  caught  or  des- 
^'llbyed  at  will.     The  common  Jay  is  even  fond  of  imitating 
the  harsh  voice  of  the  Owl  and  the  noisy  Kestril.     I  have 
also  heard  the  Blue  Jay  mock  with  a  taunting  accent  the 
U  00,  U  00,  or  quailing  of  the  Red-Shouldered  Hawk. 
Wilson  likewise  heard  him  take  singular  satisfaction   in 
teasincT  and  mocking  the  little  American  Sparrow  Hawk.t 
and  imposing  upon  him   by  the   pretended  plaints  of  a 
wounded  bird,  in  which  frolic  several  would   appear  to 
join,  until  their  sport  sometimes   ended  in  sudden  con- 
sternation, by  the  Hawk,  justly  enough,  pouncing  on  one 
of  them  as  his  legitimate  and  devoted  prey. 


*  See  Geraet  de  ^eibui,  p>  709, 


t  Falci)  Sparverius, 


•nMMjipti 


)eyond  tlio  thick 
t,  as  soon  as  dis- 
ge  and  reproach, 
;tions  of  temerity 
c,  with  whom  our 
scilile  and  violent 
iglc  himself  in  the 

has  been  found 
(,  he  also  exhibits 
i  loud  and  savage 
y  troop  of  all  the 
this  garrulous  at- 
hut  a  threatening 
>pportunity  offers, 
ampany.  Advan- 
lis  dislike  for  the 
ivl  beinjr  let  out  of 

instantly  assem- 
ght  by  liming  the 
h.  In  this  gosg||» 
ike  part,  if  within 
lus  caught  or  des- 
n  fond  of  imitating 
y  Kestril.  I  have 
lunting  accent  the 
houldered  Hawk, 
ar  satisfaction  in 
1  Sparrow  Ilawk.t 
nded  plaints  of  a 

would  appear  to 
>d  in  sudden  con- 
,  pouncing  on  one 
rey. 

ilco  Spanerius. 


BLUE  MT. 


337 


Ilifi  talrnt  for  mimicry  when  domesticated,  is  likewise 
so  far  cnpabl.  of  improvement,  as  to  enable  him  to  imitate 
humaii  speech,  articulating  words  with  some  distinct- 
ness ;■  and  on  hearing  voices,  like  a  parrot,  he  would  en- 
deavour to  contribute  his  important  share  to  the  tumult. 
Bewick  reiimrks  of  the  common  Jay,  that  he  heard  one 
80  exactly  counterfeit  the  action  of  a  saw,  that  though  on 
a  Sunday,  lie  could  scarcely  be  persuaded  but  that  some 
carpenter  was  at  work.  Another,  unfortunately,  render- 
ed himself  a  serious  nuisance  by  learning  to  hound  a  cur 
dog  upon  the  domestic  cattle,  whistling  and  calling  him 
by  name,  so  that  at  length  a  serious  accident  occurring  in 
consequence,  the  poor  Jay  was  proscribed.  The  Blue 
Jay  becomes  also,  like  the  Crow  and  Magpie,  a  very 
mischievous  purloiner  of  every  thing  be  is  capable  of  con- 
veying away  and  hiding. 

One  which  1  have  seen  in  a  state  of  domestication,  be- 
haved witli  ail  the  quietness  and  modest  humility  of  Wil- 
son's caged  bird  with  a  petulant  companion.  He  seldom 
tfl^  his  voice,  came  in  to  lodge  in  the  house  at  night  in 
any  corner  wiicre  he  was  little  observed,  but  unfortunate- 
ly perished  by  an  accident  before  the  completion  of.ius 
education,  or  the  proper  developement  of  his  intellect.  "^9li 

The  favorite  food  of  this  species  is  chestnuts,  acorns, 
and  Indian  corn  or  maize,  the  latter  of  which  he  breaks 
before  swallowing.  He  also  feeds  occasionally  on  the 
larger  insects  and  caterpillars,  as  well  as  orchard  fruits, 
particularly  cherries,  and  does  not  even  refuse  the  hum- 
ble fare  of  potatoes.  In  times  of  scarcity  he  falls  upon 
carrion,  and  has  been  known  to  venture  into  the  barn, 
through  accidental  openings  ;  when,  as  if  sensible  of  the 
danger  of  purloining,  he  is  active  and  silent,  and  if 
surprised,  postponing  his  garrulity,  he  retreats  with  noise- 
less precij^itation,  and  with  all  the  cowardjce  of  a  thief. 


OMNIVOROV8   BIRDS. 

The  worst  trait  of  his  appetite,  however,  in  hin  rclinh  for 
the  eggs  of  other  birds,  in  quest  of  which  ho  n.ay  fre- 
quently  be  seen  prowling,  and  with  a  snvngo  cruelty  he 
sometimes  also  devours  the  callow  young,  sprea.ling  the 
plaint  of  sorrow  and  alarm  wherever  he  Hits.  Tlie  whole 
neighbouring  community  of  little  birds,  assembled  at  the 
cry  of  distress,  sometimes,  however,  succeed  in  driving 
off  the  r»thle.ss  plunderer,  who,  not  always  content  with 
the  young,  has  been  s.en  to  attack  the  old,  though  with 
dubious  success;  but  to  the  gallant  an.l  quarrelsome  King- 
bird, he  submits  like  a  cowar.l,  and  .Iriven  to  seek  shel- 
ter,  even  on  the  ground,  from  the  repeate.l  bl„w..  „f  his 
antagonist,  sneaks  off,  well  contented  to  save  his  life 

The  Blue  Jay  often    builds  his  nest  in  the  cedar,  and 
sometimes  on  an  orchard  tree,  displaying  H.tle  art  in  its 

con.struction,  formingit  of  twigs  and  other  coarse  materials 
and  lining  it  with  the  fibres  of  roots.    The  e.,gs   about  5* 
are  of  a  dull  olive,    and  spotted  with  brown.     lie  is  par^ 
ticularly  cautious  to  make  his  visits  to  the  spot  as  silent 
and   secret  as   possible.     Although  a  kw  of  these  bil* 
are  seen  with  us  nearly  through  the  winter,  numbers  no 
doubt    make  predatory  excursions  to  mild.-r  regions,  so 
^hat  they  appear  somewhat  abundant  at  this  season  in  the 
Southern  States;  yet  they  are  known  ,o  rear  their  youne 
from  Canada,  to  South  Carolina,  so  that  their  migrations 
may  be  nothing  more  than  journeys   from  the  high-lands 
towards  the  warmer  and  more  productive  sea-coast    or 
eastern  frontier.  ' 

The  Jay  i«,l  inches  in  len^h.     The  cre^t  i«  pale  blue.   A  narrow 
hne  of  b  aok  runs  along  the  frontlet,  rining  on  euoh  side  higher  than 

till::  ""  ^'^'^"'"^  °^"  ''■  ^ '=•'""  "'•'"-'^  .-H-iownBo 
as  to  iorn  a  crescent  on  the  breast.  Back  an.l  upper  ,,urts  of  the  neck 
of  a  fine  hgh  purple,  in  which  blue  predonnnates  Chin,  cheeki 
Uiroat,  and  bell,  white,  with  »o,„e  blue,  e.xcept  in  the  la»t.  C  elS 
wmg-coveru  r.ch  blue.     Coverts  and  secondaries  barred  with 


tmmmmiimm 


DS. 

'ever,  is  his  reliHh  for 
r  which  ho  iiiny  fre- 
I  a  savage  cruelty  he 
'ouiij^,  Mpreadiiij^  the 
he  Hits.     Th(!  whole 
rds,  aHHcinhlcil  at  the 
,   succeed  in  driving 
nlways  content  with 
till'  ohl,  thougli  with 
1(1  (|narrcl.sonie  King- 
driven  to  seek  shel- 
'peatecl  hlowh  of  his 
1  to  Have  his  life. 
5st  in  the  cedar,  and 
lyinir  little  art  in  its 
lier  coarse  materials 
The  ejfgs,  ahout  5, 
brown.     lie  in  par- 
to  the  spot  as  silent 
i  few  of  these  hil^ 
rtintcr,  numbers,  no 
)  milder  regions,  so 
at  tliis  season  in  the 
to  rear  their  young 
lat  their  migrations, 
from  the  higli-lands 
ictive  sea-coast,  or 

is  pale  blue.  A  iinrrow 
1  each  side  liigher  than 
Df  bluck  paoseB  down  so 

upper  purU  oftlie  neck 
inates.  Chin,  cheeks, 
?t  in  the  last.  Greater 
iries  barred  with  creg- 


•TBLLEr's  iAY. 


999 


C#ntii  of  l.lnek,  nnd  tipt  with  white.  Tail  of  12  feathers,  lonjf,  and 
wedged,  of  n  jfloMMy  bright  blue,  marked  at  small  lalervals  with  trons- 
verne  curves  of  black,  each  feather,  except  the  8  middle  darker  ones, 
being  tipt  with  white.  Ureast  and  sides  under  tlii"  wings,  greyish 
white,  tinged  with  vinaceoua.  Mouth,  tongue,  bill,  lejfs,  and  cluwi 
bUrlc.  Iris  hazel, 


STELLEIl'S  JAY. 

{Cirrrvt  Stclleri,  Gmf.lin.  Bonap.  ^m.  Orn,  ii.  p.  44.  pi.  l.'l.  tig.  1.) 

Sp.  CiiARirT.  — Crested;  blue;  head  ond  neck  blackish;  seconda- 
ries and  toil-feathers  slightly  banded  with  black,  tail  rounded. 

This  beautiful  Jay  was  first  obtained  by  the  natiiriili.-t 
Stellcr,  when  lleliring's  crew  landed  upon  the  northwest 
coast  of  Ameiica;  it  has  also  been  found  at  Nootka  Soiind, 
and  contiguous  to  the  Oregon,  or  Columhi.i  river,  and 
probably  e.xtends  its  residence  along  the  Americiui  coast 
as  far  as  California,  and  the  contiguous  table  land,  as  a 
specimen  has  likewise  been  received  from  Mexico.  Of 
inhabits  and  manners  nothing  is  yet  known. 

This  sppcies  is  more  than  12  inches  long.  The  <  reHt,  head,  and 
neck  deep  brownish  bliirk  ;  the  feathers  on  either  side  the  front 
slightly  tipped  with  ozure  ;  neck  and  upper  part  of  the  back  lighter 
brown  than  the  head,  lower  jmrt  of  the  back  becoming  light  blue,  as 
well  as  the  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts.  Below,  from  thn  neck,  blue. 
4th,  5th,  and  (ith  jir'maries  nearly  e«iual  and  longest;  outer  wing- 
coverU  and  secondaries  blue,  faintly  crossed  with  obsolete  blackish 
lines.  Primaries  dark  dusky,  and  except  the  outer  ones,  at  tip,  are 
edged  or  tinged  with  blue.  Tail  slightly  rounded,  .")4  inches  long, of 
a  deep  glossy  azure,  with  faint  traces  of  bars.     Bill  and  feet  black. 

20 


930 


OM.VIVOUOUa   BIRDS. 


COLUMBIA  JAY. 

(Oarrulut  Bulhekii,  WAni.m.  AcnuBoi*,  pl.mi.  Garrula  gubrrna- 
trir,  Temmixck.) 

Sp.  Ciiaract.  —  FJrijflit  hliie  ;  with  n  lorty  crent  of  Beporate  pluiiici } 
capiitriim,  tliroat,  and  lirenut  binok  ;  Iwlly  whiti.h  ;  tuil-lVatheri 
\arge\y  tipt  vvilh  wliitt.,  e.xcppt  the  •!  upper,  which  rir«  hmj/pr,  the 
a  ceritrul  oiioH  curved,  and  nearly  twice  tlie  length  of  tlie  lut- 
eraU. 

Oi-  this  larp;n  nnd  mngnificcnt  spocirs,  scarcply  any 
thing  is,  as  yet,  known,  Init  thf  Hplcndid  figure  in  Aiidii- 
hon's  unparalleled  work.  It  is  not  uncommon  in  Me.xico 
and  California,  and  the  individual  figured  by  Audubon 
was  obtained  on  the  hniik.s  of  the  Columbia  river.  The 
size  appears  to  be  ecjual  to  that  of  a  Haven,  and  the  bright 
bioo,  graduated,  fan-like  tail,  with  2  of  the  central 
feathers  extended  fir  l)eyond  tlit'  rest,  appears  more  like 
the  train  of  some  tropical  Parrot,  than  a  near  relation  to 
the  common  Crow. 

Length  31  inclien.  The  crest  formed  of  long  and  distinct  feathers ; 
region  round  tlie  eyes,  throat,  and  upper  part  of  the  breast,  black. 
:id  and  4tli  primaries  lonirest ;  the  Jst  very  short.  Bill  and  legs 
brownish  black.  Inner  webs  of  the  (juills  dusky,  and  no  stripes  on 
any  part. 


FLORIDA  JAY. 

(C"^rits  floritlanuM,  BAnriivM.  Audubon,  pi.  87.  Orn.  Biog.  i.p,  444, 
Garrulus  Jtoridanim,  Bo.tAP.  Am.  Orn.  ii.  p.  W).  pi.  14.  lig.  1. 
Philad.  Museum,  No.  1378, 1379.) 

Sp.  Cii  \  I  V  (  T.  —  Not  crested  ;  bright  nzure-blue ;  the  back  brownish ; 
beneulii  whitish-grey  ;  tail  wedge-tslmped. 

This  elegant  species  is,  as  far  Us  _yet  known,  almost 
wholly  confined  to  the  interior  of  the  mild  peninsula  of 


nil. 


Y. 

pi.  !H!.     Oarrula  guhirna- 

:ri>at  ut'  icparatp  pluiiipii ; 
\y  whitJBh  ;  tail-tVatherM 
•T,  wlufli  lire  l<iii|/er,  the 
)'  tlie  length  or  tlie  lut- 

ppcips,  flcarcoly  any 
iidifl  fi).rnrp  in  Aiidu- 
iicoiiiiiinii  in  Mexico 
igiiroil  by  Audubon 
)luinbi;i  river.  Tlio 
avcn,  and  the  brigiit 
2  of  tlic  central 
t,  appears  more  like 
n  a  near  relation  to 


ngnnd  ilistinct  f'enthers; 
irt  of  tlie  brcaHt,  Iduck. 
y  short.  Bill  nnd  legs 
usky,  and  no  Htrippg  on 


~l 


H7.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  444, 
ii.  p.  Gi*.  pi.  14.  fig.  1. 

ie  ;  the  back  brownish; 

yet  known,  almost 
!  mild  peninsula  of 


I'l.OKIIIA  JAY. 


981 


EaHt  Florida.  Tti  my  lalo  tour  lliroiij;li  tli<>  lower  parts 
of  Georgia  and  Wet«t  Dorida,  protracted  to  the  middle  of 
March,  I  saw  none  of  these  birds),  an<l  at  the  approacli  of 
of  winter,  they  oven  retire  to  the  south  of  St.  Augustine, 
aH  Mr.  Ord  did  not  iiuut  with  this  Jay  until  about  tlio 
middle  of  February  ,  fnuu  that  tinn',  however  they  were 
seen  ilaily.  Hying  low,  and  hopping  through  tlu;  luxuri- 
ant thickets,  or  peejiiug  front  the  dark  branches  fif  the 
live-oaks,  which  adorn  the  outlet  of  tin;  St.  Juan.  They 
appear  to  possess  the  usual  propensities  of  the  stibgcMius, 
being  (piarrclsomc,  active,  and  garridous.  Their  voice  is 
less  harsh  than  that  of  the  connuon  Hlu.'  .Fay,  ami  they  have 
rt  variety  of  notes,  some  of  which,  probably  imitations,  are 
said  (o  have  a  resemblance  to  the  song  of  the  'J'hrush, 
and  the  call  of  the  common  Jay. 

According  to  Audubon,  the  nest  of  this  species  is  form- 
ed of  a  few  dry  slicks,  so  slightly  interwoven  as  readily 
to  admit  the  light  through  their  interstices.  It  is  then 
lined  with  fibrous  roots.  The  eggs,  4  to  (5,  are  of  a  light 
olive,  marked  with  irregular  blackish  dashes.  They 
raise  only  a  single  brood  in  tho  season.  Their  food  is 
very  similar  to  that  of  the  other  species,  namely,  berries, 
fruits,  mast,  and  insects  ;  it  likewise  collecta  snails  ""rom 
the  marshy  grounds,  feeds  I  ly  o,  (he  .seeds  of  the 
sword  palmetto;  and  in  tlu  manner  of  the  Titmou.se  it 
Hecures  its  food  between  its  feet,  and  breaks  it  into  pieces 
previous  to  swallowing  Like  other  .species  of  the  genus, 
it  destroys  the  eggs  and  young  of  small  birds,  despatching 
the  latter,  by  repi  ited  blows  on  the  head.  It  is  al>o 
easily  reconciled  to  the  cage,  and  feeds  on  fresli  or  dried 
fruits,  and  <  arions  kinds  of  nuts.  Their  attempts  at 
mimickry  in  sliis  .state  are  very  imperfect. 

The  length  of  thi»  Rpecies  is  about  llj  inches,  and   nearly  14  in 
alar  extent.     Head,  neck  above,  and  on  the  sides,   with  tlie  wingi 


232 


OMNIVOROl'S    BIRDS. 


and  tail,  bright  azure.  Front  and  line  over  the  eyes  bluish  white. 
Back  yellowish  brown,  with  some  blue  on  the  rump  ;  upper  tail-cov- 
erts azure.  Inner  vanes  and  tips  of  the  quills  dusky.  Below  pale 
yellowish  grey.  From  the  cheeks  and  sides  of  the  neck,  the  blue 
passes  down  along  the  breast,  and  forms  a  sort  of  collar.  The  wings 
scarcely  extend  beyond  the  coverts  of  the  tail,  which  is  partly  wedge- 
shaped  and  about  oj  inches  long.  The  1st  primary  as  short  as  the 
secondaries,  tlie  3d  and  4th  rather  the  longest.  Feet  and  bill  black. 
Iris  hazel  brown.  —  Female  perfectly  similar  with  the  male,  but  a 
little  less. — This  species  is  nearly  allied  to  the  Me.\ican  O'anulus 
nltramarinus  of  Bonaparte. 


CANADA  JAY. 

{Cnrriis  canaile7isis,  Lin.   Wilson,  iii.  p.  33.  pi.  21.  fig.  1.) 

Sp,  Ciiahact.  —  Dark  leaden  grey;  hind-head  black ;  forehead,  col- 
lar, beneath,  and  tip  of  the  tail  brownish-white ;  tail  wedge- 
shaped. 

This  species,  with  the  intrusive  habits  and  plain 
plumage  of  the  Pic,  is  wholly  confined  to  the  high  north- 
ern regions  of  America,  being  met  with  around  Hudson's 
bay,  but  becoming  rare  near  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  in 
winter  only  straggling  along  the  coast  as  far  as  Nova 
Scotia.  Westward,  occasionally  driven  by  the  severity 
of  the  weather  and  failure  of  food,  they  make  their  ap- 
pearance in  small  parties  in  the  interior  of  Maine,  and 
northern  parts  of  Vermont ;  they  also  descend  into  the 
state  of  New  York  as  far  as  the  town  of  Hudson,  and 
the  banks  of  the  Mohawk.  It  was  likewise  seen  the 
12th  of  September  by  Major  Long's  exploring  party  in 
latitude  49,  in  the  northwestern  interior. 

According  to  Mr.  Hutchins,  like  the  Pie,  when  near  the 
habitations  and  tents  of  the  inhabitants  and  natives,  it  is 
given  to  pilfering  every  thing  within  reach,  and  is  some- 
times so  bold  as  to  venture  "into  the  tents,  and  snatch  the 


)S. 

r  the  eyes  bluish  white, 
he  rump  ;  upper  tail-cov- 
uills  dusky.  Below  pale 
IS  of  the  neck,  the  blue 
ort  of  collar.  The  wings 
il,  which  is  partly  wedge- 
primary  as  short  as  the 
est.  Feet  and  bill  black, 
ar  with  the  male,  but  a 
to  the  Mexican   Garrulus 


.  p.  33.  pi,  21.  fig.  1.) 

lead  black;  forehead,  col- 
i'nish-white ;  tail  wedge- 


ve  habits  and  plain 
cd  to  the  higli  north- 
vith  around  Hudson's 
it.  Lawrence,  and  in 
;oast  as  far  as  Nova 
iven  by  the  severity 
they  make  their  ap- 
;erior  of  Maine,  and 
Lso  descend  into  the 
own  of  Hudson,  and 
Ls  likewise  seen  the 
;'s  exploring  party  in 
;rior. 

he  Pie,  when  near  the 
mts  and  natives,  it  is 
1  reach,  and  is  some- 
tents,  and  snatch  the 


CANAD.V  JAY. 


233 


meat  from  the  dishes,  even  whether  fresh  or  salt.  It 
has  also  the  mischievous  sagacity  of  watching  the  hun- 
ters set  their  traps  for  the  martin,  from  which  it  purloins 
the  bait.  Its  appetite,  like  that  of  the  Crow,  appears 
omnivorous.  It  feeds  on  worms,  various  insects,  and  tiieir 
larvic,  and  on  (lesli  of  ditlV'rent  kinds  ;  lays  up  stores  of 
berries  in  hollow  trees  for  winter ;  and,  at  times,  with  the 
Rein-deer,  is  driven  to  tiie  necessity  of  feeding  on  Lich- 
ens. The  severe  winters  of  the  deserts  he  inhabits, 
urges  him  to  seek  support  in  the  vicinity  of  habitntions. 
Like  the  common  Jay,  at  this  .season,  he  leaves  liis  native 
woods  to  make  excursions  after  food,  trying  every  means 
for  subsistence  ;  and,  tamed  by  hunger,  he  seeks  boldly  tlie 
society  of  men  and  animals.  They  are  such  praters  Jis 
to  be  considered  Mocking-birds,  and  perhaps  su})ersti- 
tiously  dreaded  I)y  the  aborigines.  They  commonly  fly 
in  pairs  or  rove  in  small  families,  are  no  way  dillicult  to 
approach,  and  keep  up  a  kind  of  friendly  chattering,  some- 
times repeating  their  notes  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  at  a 
time,  immediately  before  snow  or  falling  weather.  When 
caught,  they  seldom  long  survive,  though  they  never  ne- 
glect their  food.  Like  most  of  their  genus,  they  breed 
early  in  the  spring,  building  their  nests,  which  arc  formed 
of  twigs  and  grass,  in  the  Pine  trees.  They  are  said  to  lay 
blue  eggs,  probably  to  tiie  amount  of  3  or  4,  as  they  have 
rarely  more  than  2  or  3  young  at  a  brood,  which,  at  first, 
are  perfect  Crows,  or  quitji^lack,  and  continue  so  for 
some  time.  «;         ,.     #" 

The  Canada  Jay  is  11  inches  in  length,  and  1.5  in  sxtent.  The 
tail  is  long  and  cuneiforin.  Interior  vanes  of  the  wings  brown,  and 
also  partly  tipped  with  white  ;  plumage  of  the  head  loose  and  prom- 
inent. Tlie  drab  of  the  under  parts  extends  so  as  to  form  a  sort  of 
collar  round  the  neck.  The  bill  and  legs  black.  Irids  dark  hazel. 
The  sexes  appear  alike  in  color. 

20* 


234 


OMNIVOROUS    BIRDS. 


Note.  Thi»  species  is  nearly  allied  to  the  Mocking  Jny  of  Siberia 
(Corrus  irtfauslus) ,  tuid  the  two  appear  to  forma  gradual  passage 
from  the  proper  Crows  to  the  Nut-crackers  (JVucifraga  ot  Brisson.) 


Family.  —  ^GITH ALL  {Vicill.  BoKap.) 

The  bill  short,  stout,  straight,  compressed,  conic  and  pointed. 
Nostrils,  towards  the  base  of  the  bill,  half  closed  hy  a  membrane,  and 
covered  by  small  incumbent  feathers.  The  feet  rather  robust ;  legs 
naked  ;  the  outer  toes  united,  at  least,  at  the  base ;  hind  toe  and  nail 
largest.     Tail  of  12  feathers. 

These  are  lively  and  active  little  birds,  living  in  woods  and  on 
trees,  frequently  suspending  themselves  by  the  claws  to  the  under- 
side of  tlie  branches,  and  climliing  up  or  down.  They  feed  much  on 
insects,  and  sometimes  on  fruits  and  seeds ;  they  breed  chiefly  in  tha 
holes  of  decayed  trees ;  a  few  build  very  artful  nests ;  they  have 
many  eggs.     The  voice  is  rather  unpleasant. 


The  titmouse.    (Paris.  L.) 

BiLi  short,  straight,  strong,  conic,  compressed,  entire,  edged  and 
pointed,  having  bristles  at  the  base  :  the  upper  mandible  longer, 
rounded  above,  and  slightly  curved.  The  Nosmits,  at  tlie  li.ise  of 
the  bill,  rounded,  and  concealed  by  the  advancing  feathers.  The 
tonviic  blunt  and  cleft,  or  entire  and  acute.  Feet  rather  large,  the 
toes  almost  wholly  divided  ; -the  nail  of  the  hind  toe  strongest,  and 
most  curved.  Wings,  the  1st  primary  of  moderate  lengtii,  or  very 
short ;  the  2d  nmcjv  shorter  than  the  the  3d ;  the  4th  and  5th  are 
longest.  —  The  femahi^wX  ijmfii^Li^ei  little  from  the  adult.  They 
moult  annually ;  and  theif"plurfRi^''\||long  and  slender. 

These  are  familiar,  active,  and  restless  birds,  of  a  peevish  and  cour- 
ageous disposition,  and  great  enemies  to  insects.  Tiiey  move  by 
short  and  sudden  leaps  and  fligiits  from  branch  to  branch,  suspend- 
ing tliMnselves  readily  in  all  attitudes.  They  live  in  families,  in 
woods  or  marshes,  and  approach  gardens  and  orchards  during  au- 
tumn and  winter.    They  are  strictly  omnivorous,  feeding  on  grain, 


locking  Jny  of  Siberia 
irm  a  gradual  passage 
ueifraga  of  Btisson.) 


(7/.  Hoiinp.) 

[),  conic  and  pointed, 
[■d  l)y  a  membrane,  nnd 
ft  ruthor  robust ;  legs 
ase ;  hind  toe  and  nail 

ving  in  woods  and  on 

le  claws  lo  the  under- 
.  They  feed  much  on 
ey  breed  chiefly  in  the 
tful  nests ;  they  have 


US.  L.) 

sed,  entire,  edged  and 
[)per  mandible  lonjjer, 
osTHits,  at  tlie  b.ise  of 
ancing  feathers.  The 
Fett  rather  large,  the 
ind  toe  strongest,  and 
lerate  length,  or  very 
;  the  4th  and  5th  are 
from  the  adult.  They 
lid  slender. 

!,  of  a  peevish  and  cour- 
isects.  They  move  by 
ch  to  branch,  suspend- 
ley  live  in  families,  in 
id  orchards  during  au- 
)rous,  feeding  on  grain, 


TITMOUSE. 


235 


fruits,  insects  and  their  larvnj,  which  they  dislodge  from  every  re- 
treat, and  in  this  pursuit  sometimes  injure,  in  some  degree,  tlie  buds 
of  trees.  Tiiey  perforate  seed-vessels,  hard  seeds,  and  even  nuts  and 
ahnonds,  to  obtain  their  contents ;  they  likewise  feed  on  flesh,  and 
are  fond  of  fat.  Sometimes  they  carry  their  depredations  so  far  as  to 
pursue  and  attack  sickly  birds,  even  of  their  own  species,  commenc- 
ing, like  Jays,  by  piercing  the  skull,  and  devouring  the  brain.  They 
are  of  a  quarrelsome  disposition,  and  often  attack  larger  birds,  killing 
the  weaker,  an  J  are  very  resolute  in  defence  of  tlieir  young.  They 
bree<l  once  a  year,  lay  many  eggs,  in  some  species  even  18  or  20 
Their  voice  is  commonly  unpleasant,  and  their  chatter  monotonous. 
Their  flesh  is  scarcely  better  than  tliot  of  the  Rook  or  Crow.  They 
are  readily  taried,  and  may  be  fed  with  cheese,  nuts,  and  oily  seeds. 
They  inhaliil  all  clinintes,  except  that  of  South  America.  In  many 
reapects  (as  justly  obs-Tved  by  the  Prince  of  Mu.signano)  they  ap- 
proach the  character  and  manners  of  the  Jays. 
Tlie  genus  presents  2  sections  in  tlie  habits  of  the  species,  in  the 

§    1st  or  SviVAN»,of  Temminck, 

The  1st  n  '  .;  !■  ather  is  of  a  moderate  length.  —  Theie   live  in 
the  wood?  ;  ;  -iiets,  and  nest  in  the  accidental  holes  of  trees.  — 

The  2d  get-  lo  ' ,     i.ich  construct  artful  nests,  do  not  exist  in  America. 


mmmmmm^' 


TUFTED  TITMOUSE. 

{Pants  bicolor,  L.,  Wilson,  i.  p.  137.  pi.  8.  fig.  5.    Audubon,  pi.  39. 
Oni.  BiojT.  i.  p.  lit!).     Pliilad.  Museum,  No.  7304.) 

Sp.  CuARAcT.— Crt'sted;  dark  bluish  ash-color;   beneath  whitish > 
flanks  tinged  with  dull  reddish-orange. 

From  the  geographic  limits  of  this  species,  as  it  occurs 
to  me,  I  am  inclined  to  believe,  that  the  bird  seen  in 
Greenland  may  be  diSerent  from  the  present ;  as  it  does 
not  appear  to  exist  north  beyond  the  the  states  of  P||^syl- 
vania,  or  New  York.  They  are  scarcely,  if  ever,  seeh  or 
heard  in  this  part  of  Massachusetts,  and  instead  of  being 
more  abundant  to  the  north,  as  believed  by  AVilson,  they 


.^,^^^.^tnmmm 


TUFTED  TITMOUSE. 


237 


ISE. 

fig.  5.    Apdubon,  pi.  39. 

!Uin,  No.  73(i4.) 

iolor  ;   beneath  whitish ; 
h-orange. 

species,  as  it  occurs 
at  the  bird  seen  in 
3  present ;  as  it  does 
he  states  of  PjMiisyl- 
rcely,  if  ever,  seeta  or 
and  instead  of  being 
;ved  by  Wilson,  they 


are  probably  not  known  there  at  all.  In  the  Southern 
States,  at  least  in  winter  and  spring,  they  arc  very  com- 
mon, and  present  all  the  usual  habits  and  notes  of  the 
gciuis.  Near  Chester,  in  Delaware,!  heard  tlic  peculiar 
call  of  tliis  bird,  and  tlic  notes  of  the  Carolina  Wren  on 
the  ITth  of  April,  1831,  and  from  tiie  tardiness  of  ve- 
getation at  this  season,  it  appeared  probable  that  they 
might  pass  the  winter  in  their  present  quarters.  The 
numbers  which  I  saw  in  the  Southern  States,  from  Janua- 
ry to  March,  would  seem  to  indicate  a  migratory  habit ; 
but  whether  tliey  had  arrived  from  llie  northeast,  or 
from  tlu;  great  forests  of  the  west,  could  net  be  conjec- 
tured. 

Tiie  Pcto,  as  I  may  cnll  this  bird  from  one  of  bis  char- 
acteristic notes,  and  the  Carolina  Wren,  were  my  constant 
and  amusing  companions  during  the  winter,  as  I  passed 
through  the  dreary  solitudes  of  the  Southern  States.  The 
sprigiitlincss,  caprice,  and  varied  musical  talent  of  this 
species  are  quite  interesting,  and  more  peculiarly  so, 
when  nearly  all  the  other  vocal  tenants  of  tlic  forest  are 
either  absent  or  silent.  To  hear,  in  the  middle  of  January, 
when,  at  least,  the  leafless  trees  and  dark  cloudy  skies 
remind  us  of  the  coldest  season,  tin;  lively,  cheering, 
varied  pipe  of  this  active  and  hardy  bird,  is  particularly 
gratifying ;  and,  though  his  voice,  on  paper,  may  appear 
to  present  only  a  list  of  quaint  articulations,  mere  skele- 
tons of  musical  compass,  yet  tiie  delicacy,  energy,  pa- 
thos, and  variety  of  his  simple  song,  like  many  other 
thingi^n  nature,  are  far  beyond  the  feeble  power  of  de- 
scription; and  if  in  these  rude  graphic  outlines  of  the  in- 
imitable music  of  birds,  I  am  able  to  draw  a  caricature 
sufBcient  to  indicate  the  individual  peiformer,  I  shall 
'  have  attained  all  the  object  to  be  hoped  for  in  an  attempt 
at  natural  delineation. 


238 


OMNIVOROUS    DIRD9. 


Tlic  notes  of  the  Peto  generally  partake  of  the  high, 
ochoinjr,  clear  tone  of  the  Baltimore  Bird.  Among  his 
more  extraordinary  expressions,  I  was  struck  with 
the  call  of  'whii>-tnm-ldUii  kil/i/,  and  now  and  then 
'whip-tdin-killii,  with  occasionally  some  variation  in  the 
tone  and  expression,  which  was  very  lively  and  agreeahle. 
The  middle  syllable  {torn)  was  ])ronounced  in  a  hollow 
reverberating  tone.  In  a  icw  minutes  after  the  subject 
and  its  variations  were  finished,  in  the  estimation  of  the 
musical  performer,  he  suddenly  twisted  himself  round  the 
branch  on  which  he  had  sat,  with  a  variety  of  odd  and  fan- 
tastic motions  ;  and  then,  in  a  lower,  hoarser,  harsh  voice, 
and  in  a  peevish  tone,  exactly  like  that  of  the  Jay  and  the 
Chicadee,  went  (ldi/-rldij-(la i/-(Idi/ ,  and  day-daii-ddy-day- 
ddit ;  sometimes  this  loud  note  changed  into  one  which 
became  low  and  querulous.  On  some  of  these  occasions 
he  also  called  'tshica  dec-dec.  The  jarring  call  would 
then  change  occasionally  into  kai-tic-did  did-dit-did. 
Thfi?e  poovish  notes  would  often  be  uttered  in  anger  at 
being  approached  ;  and  (hen  again  would  perhaps  bo 
answered  by  some  neighbouring  rival,  against  whom  they 
appeared  levelled  in  taunt  and  ridicule,  being  accom- 
panied by  extravagant  gestures. 

Later  in  the  season,  in  February,  when  in  the  lower 
part  of  Alabama  the  mild  influence  of  spring  began  al- 
ready to  be  felt,  our  favorite,  as  he  gaily  pursued  the 
busy  tribe  of  insects,  now  his  principal  food,  called,  as 
he  vaulted  restlessly  from  branch  to  branch,  in  an  echoing 
rapid  voice,  at  short  intervals,  pcto-pito-pefo-pcto.giJ'hia 
tender  call  of  recognition  was  at  length  answered  and 
continued  at  intervals  for  a  minute  or  two ;  they  then 
changed  their  quick  call  into  a  slower  petu  petd  pito  ;  and 
now  the  natural  note  passed  into  the  plaintive  key,  sound- 
ing like  qite-dh  que-dh ;  then  in  the  same  breath  a  jarring 


■>r\miijfi:igfmm'nitmKmi» 


TUFTED  TITMOUSE. 


239 


rtake  of  the  higli, 
Bird.  Among  his 
was  struck  wit)i 
[1(1  now  and  tlien 
le  variation  in  tlio 
rely  and  agreeable, 
inccd  in  a  hollow 
i  after  the  .subject 
3  estimation  of  the 
1  himself  round  the 
iety  of  odd  and  fan- 
jarscr,  harsh  voice, 
of  the  Jay  and  the 
;  day-dtty-ddif-day- 
ed  into  one  which 
of  tiiese  occasions 
jarring  call  would 
ic-did  did-dit-did. 
ttcred  in  anger  at 
would  perhaps  be 
against  whom  they 
ule,  being  accom- 

when  in  the  lower 
>f  spring  began  al- 
gaily  pursued  the 
pal  food,  called,  as 
mch,  in  an  echoing 
td-pftd-j)ctd.^r\na 
igth  answered  and 
or  two ;  they  then 
peto  peto  peto  ;  and 
laintive  key,  sound- 
me  breath  a  jarring 


note  like  that  of  the  Cat-bird,  and  in  part  like  the  sound 
made  by  putting  the  lower  lip  to  the  upper  teeth,  and  cal- 
ling 'ts/i'iHih,  'ts/i'vrih.  After  this  the  call  of  hrrri/-krrri/- 
kevnj-krrrj/  struck  up  with  an  echoing  sound,  hciglitcned 
by  the  hollow  bank  of  the  river  whence  it  proceeded. 
At  length,  more  deliciitely  than  at  first,  in  an  under  tone, 
you  hear  anew,  and  in  a  tender  accent,  prto  pi  to  pifo.  In 
t)  J  caprice  and  humor  of  our  performer,  tied  by  no  rules 
but  tho.se  of  momentary  feeling,  the  expression  will  per- 
haps change  into  a  slow  and  full  prcf-jicct-a-pirt-a-pcet, 
then  a  loiv  and  very  rapid  ker-hcr-kcr-kcr-l-ir-krrrii,  some- 
times so  (juick  as  almost  to  resojnblo  the  rattle  of  a  watch- 
man. At  another  time,  his  morning  song  commences 
like  the  gentle  whispers  of  an  atrial  spirit,  and  then  be- 
coming high  and  clear  like  the  voice  of  the  nightingale, 
he  cries  kcfi<a  kvion  kura  kicva,  but  soon  falling  into  the 
querulous,  the  dfii/-day-dai/-dai/-da>/-diiit  of  the  Chica- 
dce,  terminates  his  performance.  Imitative,  as  well  as 
inventive,  I  have  heard  the  Peto  also  sinjf  somotliing  like 
the  lively  chatter  of  the  Swallow,  hta-lcta-lvtii-littilit,  and 
then  vary  into  p'^'to-pito-peto-peto-pito  extremely  ([uick. 
Unlike  the  warblers,  our  cheerful  I'eto  has  no  trill,  or  any 
other  notes  than  these  simple,  playful,  or  pathetic  calls; 
yet  the  compass  of  voice  and  the  tone  in  which  they  are 
uttered,  their  capricious  variety  and  their  general  effect, 
at  the  sea.son  of  the  year  when  they  are  heard,  arc  quite  as 
pleasing,  to  the  contemplative  observer,  as  the  more  ex- 
quisite notes  of  the  summer  songsters  of  the  verdant 
forest^ 

The  sound  of  'whtp-tom-kelli/,  which  I  so  distinctly 
heard  this  bird  utter,  on  tlie  I'th  of  January,  1839, 
near  Barnwell,  in  South  Carolina,  is  very  remarkable, 
and  leads  me  to  suppose  that  this  species  is  also  an  in- 
habitant of  the  West  India  islands,   where  Sloano  attri- 


240 


OMNIVOROUS  niUDS. 


buteB  this  note  to  the  Re.l-cye.1  Fly-catcher,  certainly  the 
same  bird  as  that  which  exclusively  takes  up  its  sununer 
residence  with  us.  But  it  is  impossible,  with  the  most 
inventive  imasination,  to  construe  this  strongly  marked 
phrase  out  of  the  simple  and  almost  invariable  warble  of 
our  Fly-ratcher.  . 

The  Pcto,  besides  insects,  like  the  Jay,  to  winch  he  is 
allied,  chops  up  acorns,  cracks  nuts  and  har.l  and  ^M\y 
seeds,  to  get  at  their  contents,  iiolding  them  meanwhile 
in  his  feet.  He  also  searches  and  pecks  decayed  trees 
and  their  bark  with  considerable  energy  and  indus- 
try  in  quest  of  larvic ;  he  often  also  enters  into  hollow 
trunks,  prying  after  the  same  objects.  In  these  hoK-s  they 
commonly  roost  in  winter,  and  occupy  the  same  secure 
situations,  or  the  holes  of  the  small  Woodpecker,  for  de- 
positing  and  hatching  their  eggs,  which  takes  place  early 
in  April  or  in  Mav,  according  to  the  different  parts  ot  the 
Union  they  happen  to  inhabit.  Sometiuies  they  dig  out 
a  cavity  for  theinaelves  with  much  labor,  and  always  line 
the  hollow  with  a  variety  of  warm  materials.*  Their 
eggs,  about  0  to  8,  are  white,  with  a  few  small  specks  of 
browni.sh-red  near  the  larger  end.  The  whole  family, 
young  and  old,  may  be  seen  hunting  together  throughout 
the  s^ummor  and  winter,  and  keeping  up  a  continued 
mutual  chatter. 

According  to  the  observations  of  Wilson,  it  soon  be- 
comes familiar  in  confinement,  and  readily  makes  its  way 
out  of  a  wicker  cage  by  repeated  blows  at  the  twigs.  It 
may  be  fed  on  hemp-seed,  cherry-stones,  apple-pippins, 
and  hickory-iiuts,  broken  and  thrown  in  to  it.  In  its 
natural  state,  like  the  rest  of  its  vicious  congeners,  it 
sometimes  destroys  small  birds  by  blows  on  the  skull.t 


."Vudubon,  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  300. 


t  Ibid. 


CIIICADEE,  OB  BLACK-CAPT  TITMOVSB. 


241 


atcher,  certainly  the 
lakes  up  its  summer 
lible,  with  the  most 
lis  strongly  marked 
invariable   warble  of 

!  Jay,  to  wliicli  he  is 
and  hard  and  siu'Hy 
iig  them  meanwhile 
pecks  decayed  trees 

energy  and  indus- 
)  enters  into  hollow 
I.  In  these  holes  they 
iupy  the  same  secure 
Woodpecker,  for  de- 
icli  takes  place  early 

dilTerent  parts  of  the 
metimcs  they  diir  out 
ibor,  and  always  line 
»  materials.*  Their 
I  few  small  specks  of 
The  whole  family, 
f  together  throughout 
)ing   up  a  continued 

Wilson,  it  soon  be- 
readily  makes  its  way 
ows  at  the  twigs.  It 
jtones,  apple-pippins, 
3wn  in  to  it.  In  its 
ificious  congeners,  it 
)lows  on  the  skull. t 

t  Ibid. 


Thi«  iipeciei  in  Ci  incites  long,  and  !)  in  the  rtretch  of  the  wings. 
Above,  dark  bluish-ash ;  the  front  black  tinged  witli  reddish.  Beneath 
sullied  while,  except  the  sides  under  tiie  wings,  wliich  lire  piih-  red- 
dish-brown. Legs  and  feet  greyisli  blue.  Bill  black.  Iris  liazel. 
The  crebt  high  and  pninled,  like  thnt  of  the  common  Blue  .Iiiy.  Tail 
slightly  forked.  Tips  of  the  wings  dusky.  Tongue  blunt  ending  in 
4  sharp  points.     Female  very  similar  to  tlie  male. 


CHICADEE,  oil  BLACK-CAPT  TITMOUSE. 

{Puru^i  /jaluslris,  l,.,P, iitririipilhis,  1b.  Wii.sos, i.p.  134.  pi.  8.  fig.4. 
Philiid.  Museum,  No.  7;W0.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Not  crested;  grey,  tinged  with  brown;  tlie  head 
above  nnd  ridge  of  tiie  neck  black  ;  the  black  on  the  tliroat  not 
extended  ;  clieeks  and  beneath  white,  faintly  tinged  with  greyish 
brown  ;  tail  2  inches  long.  —  In  the  female  the  black  is  less  deep, 
and  less  apparent  on  the  throat. 

This  familiar,  hardy,  and  restless  little  bird  inhabits 
both  Europe  and  North  America.  In  the  latter  conti- 
nent it  is  even  resident  in  winter  around  Hudson's 
Bay,  and  has  been  met  with  at  02"  on  the  Northwest 
Coast.  It  is,  indeed,  difficult  to  say  in  what  part 
of  the  United  States  it  is  most  common,  so  generally 
and  equally  has  it  colonized  the  temperate  parts.  In 
21 


343 


OMNIVOROUS  niRDS. 


winter  they  abound  in  (ill  the  forfsts  of  the  Southern 
States  to  Florida,  and  prolxiiily  extind  their  visits  into 
Mexico.  In  all  thf  se  countries,  in  autumn,  families  of 
ihcin  are  seen  chatifring  and  rnviiij,'  throusrh  th-  woodst, 
bufiily  ('ngnge<l  in  gleaning  tlinr  mullifiiriouH  food,  along 
with  tlir  preceding  ^ipccios,  Niiihiitches,  and  CrceporH, 
the  whole  forming  a  hiiHy,  active,  and  noisy  group,  whoso 
manners,  food,  and  linhits  bring  them  together  m  n  com- 
mon pursuit.  Tlifir  diet  varies  with  the  seaHou,  for  be- 
sides insects,  their  i;irvn>,  and  eggs,  of  which  tiiey  are 
more  particularly  fond,  in  the  month  of  September  they 
leave  the  woods  and  n.seiiiMe  familiarly  in  our  f>rcimrd.'» 
and  gardens,  and  even  enter  the  thronging  cities  m  ipiest 
of  that  support  wiiich  their  native  forests  now  deny  them. 
Large  seeds  of  many  kinds,  particularly  those  wliich  are 
oily,  as  tlie  Sun-llower,  and  Pino  and  Spruce  Kernels 
are  now  sought  after.  These  seeds,  in  tiie  usual  manner 
of  the  genus,  arc  seized  in  the  claws  and  held  against  the 
branch,  until  picked  open  by  the  bill  to  obtain  their  con- 
tents. Fat  of  various  kind.s  is  also  greedily  eaten,  and 
they  regularly  watch  the  retreat  of  llie  hog-killers,  i>i  the 
country,  to  glean  up  the  fragments  of  meat  which  adhere 
to  the  places  where  the  carcases  iiave  been  .sus])ended.  At 
times  they  feed  upon  the  wax  of  the  Candlc-lx'rry  Myrtle 
{Mi/rira  rcrifcrti)  ;  they  likewise  pick  up  crumbs  near 
the  houses,  and  search  the  weather-boards,  and  even  the 
window-sills,  familiarly  for  their  lurking  prey,  and  are 
particularly  fond  of  spiders  and  the  eggs  of  destructive 
mollis,  especially  those  of  the  canker-worm,  which  they 
greedily  destroy  in  all  its  stages  of  existence.  It  is  said 
that  they  sometimes  attack  their  own  sp(  ties  when  the  in- 
dividual is  sickly,  and  aim  their  blows  at  tlu  skull  with  a 
view  to  eat  the  brain  ;  but  this  barbarity  I  have  never  wit- 
nessed.    In  winter,  when  satisfied,  they  will  descend  to 


CIIICADEE,  OB  BLACK-CAPT  TITMOUSE. 


243 


Is  of  tliP  Southern 
kI  their  visjH  into 
lutiiinn,  fiiiiiilics  of 
hron£»li  th"  woo'Ih, 
fiiriouH  food,  along 
lire,  .111(1  Crci'porf, 
noisy  irroii|),  whose 
toi;*'thcr  111  n  coin- 
th«!  soaHOd,  for  ho- 
of vvliich  tlu'y  are 
>f  Srptemhor  they 
ly  in  our  "rchnrda 
ijiiiff  cities  lu  (|uest 
its  now  deny  tliem. 
ly  thoMC  which  are 
il  Siiriico  KfTiiols 
1  the  usual  manner 
lid  held  niraiiist  the 
;o  obtain  tlieir  con- 
;rerdily  f-aten,  and 
liofr-killers,  i'l  the 
meat  which  adhere 
iccn  .suspended.  At 
andlo-JH-rry  Myrtle 
i  up  crumbs  near 
)ards,  and  even  the 
ing  prey,  and  are 
;ggs  of  destructive 
worm,  whicli  they 
istcncc.  It  is  said 
picics  when  the  in- 
I  at  tlu  skull  with  a 
ty  I  have  never  wit- 
hey  will  descend  to 


the  snow-bank  beneath  and  (lueuch  their  thir.it  by  swal- 
lowinjr  small  pieces  ;  in  this  way,  their  various  and  frugal 
meal  is  always  easily  supplied  ;  aii.l   har.ly,  and  warmly 
clad  in  light  and  very   downy   feallurs,  they  sulV.^r  hitle 
inconvenience  from  the  inclemenry  of  the  seasons,      [a- 
deed  in  the   winter,  or  about  the  close   of  October,  they 
at  times   api>ear  so  enlivened   as   already   to  show  their 
amorous  attu-hmenl,   like  our  .lomctic  cock,  the  male 
approaching  lis  mate  with  nuttering  and  vibrating  wings  ; 
and  in  the  spring  season,  the  males   ha-o  obstinate  en- 
gagements, durtiug  after  each  other  with    great  velocity 
and  anger.     Their  r..c.st,  I  suspect,  is  in  the  hollows  of  de- 
cayed "trees,    where  they    also   iireed,    hying   their  eggs 
merely  in  the  dry  rotten  wood,  without  any   attempt  at  a 
nest;*  these   are    from  (i  to  I'i  in  number,    white,   with 
specks  of  browu-red.     Tlu.-y  begin  to  lay  about  the  mid- 
dle or  close  of  April,  and  though  they  commonly  make 
use  of  natural  or  deserted  holes  of  the  Woodpecker,  yet 
at  times,  they   are  said  t«.  excavate   a  cavity   for  them- 
selves  with   much    labor.      The    first   brood   take  wing 
about  the  7tli  or  10th  of  June,  and  they  have   sometimes 
a  second  towards  the  end  of  .July.     The  voung,  as  soon 
as  fledged,  have  all  the  external  marks  ol    the  adult,  the 
head  is  equally  black,   and  they  chatter  and  skip  aliout, 
with   all  the  agility  and  self-possession  of  their  parents, 
who  appear  nevertheless  very  .solicitous  for    their  safety. 
From  this  time  the  whole  family  'continue  to  associate  to- 
gether through   the   autumn  and  winter.     They  seem  to 
move  by  concert  from  tree  to  tree,  k(^cpiiig  up  a  contin- 
ued •ts/i(-/l>:.(l,-th'-ilr,  and  'tshc-fU-fle-rh-dait,  preceded  by 
a  .shrill  whistle,    all  the    while  busily  engaged,  picking 

•  In  Europe,  howcvot,  tliij  kind,  if  tlio  same  tpecir;  as  anoitml  by  Teniminck,  ii 
■aid  to  dig  out  an  excavation  in  .Incayod  willows,  in  wliicli  it  niakoi  a  neat  of  ino»<, 
tbiatle  down,  and  fometiinoi  a  littli;  wool  and  fuatliors. 


i 


'244 


OMNIVOROUS  niitnfl. 


round  tlio  IiikIh  and  branchos,  linnginK  from  thoir  cxtrcinU 
tics  and  proceeding  often  in  reversed  poBtiirco,  licad  down- 
wardft,  liitc  go  ninny  tumblers,  prying  into  every  crevice  of 
the  biirk,  and  searching  uround  the  rootM,  and  in  every 
possibl"  retreat  of  their  inject  jirey  or  its  hirvie.  If  the 
object  ch«ncu  to  fail,  they  industriously  descend  to  the 
ground  and  gli.'nn  it  up  with  the  utmost  economy. 

On  set  ing  a  cat,  or  other  object  of  natural  antipathy, 
the  Chicadce,  like  the  peevisii  .lay,  scolds  in  a  loud,  an'Try, 
and  hoarse  note,  like  'hhr,  tldt^li  (luiifh  ildifr/,.  Among 
the  other  notes  of  this  species,  I  have  heard  a  call  like 
tiihe-(l(-j(ii/,t.ihi-(li-j<ii>,lhv.  two  first  syllables  being  a  slen- 
der chirp,  with  the  jtii/  strongly  pronoupced.  The  only 
note  of  this  bird  which  may  bo  called  a  souii,  is  one  which 
is  frecpiently  heard  at  intervals  in  the  di  ii  of  the  forest, 
at  times  of  the  day  usually  when  ill  other  l)irils  are  silent. 
Wc  then  may  sometimes  hear  in  the  midst  of  this  solitude 
two  feeble,  drawling,  deaiiy  whistled,  and  rather  melan- 
choly notes,  like  'd-derri/,  and  sonnlimcs  'i/r-pirrll,  and 
occasionally,  but  much  more  rarely,  in  the  same  wiry, 
whistling,  solemn  tone  'p/iehe.  The  young,  in  winter,  also 
Bomctimes  drawl  out  these  contemplative  strains.  In  all 
cases,  the  first  syllable  is  very  high  and  clear,  the  second 
word  drops  low,  and  ends  like  a  feeble  plaint.  This  is 
nearly  all  the  (piaint  song  ever  attempted  by  the  Chicadee  ; 
and  is  perhaps  the  two  notes  sounding  like  the  whetting  of 
a  saw,  remarked  of  this  bird  in  England  by  Mr.  White,  in 
his  Natural  History  of  Selborne.*  On  line  days,  about 
the  commencement  of  October,  I  have  heard  the  Chicadee 
sometimes,  for  half  an  hour  at  a  time,  attempt  a  lively,  pet- 
ulant warble,  very  different  from  his  ordinary  notes.  On 
these  occasions  he  appears  to  flirt  about,  still  hunting  for 
his  prey,  but  almost  in  an  ecstasy  of  delight  and  vigor. 


•  Vol.  1.  p.  177.  (lit  Ed.) 


CIIICAUBK,  OR  BLACK-CAPT  TITMOUiE. 


Q4A 


from  thoir  exlrcini- 
iHtiircH,  lioad  iluwn- 
>to  every  crovicc  of 
roots,  mill  in  every 

itn  liirvii".  If  tlie 
isly  (IcHCcnd  to  the 
t  economy, 
iiiiturul  anti|>:itliy, 
(Im  in  a  loud,  nm'ry, 
\(li  ih'tifrh.  Among 
;  lii'nrd  a  call  iiko 
lliiblcN  lieing  asion- 
mi'ced.  The  only 
I  soiiu,  JHonc  which 
d<'j  111  of  tlie  forest, 
her  l)irdH  arc  silent, 
lidst  of  litis  Holitndo 
,  and  rather  melan- 
mcH  'i/r-pi irlt,  and 

in  the  same  wiry, 
111115,  in  winter,  also 
tivo  strains.  In  all 
d  clear,  the  second 
)le  plaint.  This  is 
L'd  by  the  Chicadce  ; 
like  the  whetting  of 
id  by  Mr.  White,  in 
On  line  days,  about 

heard  the  Chicadee 
ittempt  a  lively,  pet- 
irdinary  notes.  On 
ut,  still  hunting  for 
r  delight  and  vigor. 


But  after  a  while  the  usual  drawling  note  again  occurs. 
These  birds,  like  many  others,  are  very  subject  to  the  at- 
tacks of  vermin,  and  they  accumulate  in  great  numbers 
around  that  part  of  the  head  and  frout  which  is  least 
accessible  to  their  feet. 

The  Kuropean  bird  is  supposed  to  be  partial  to  marshy 
situntion.s.  Ours  hii^  no  such  predilection,  nor  dofs  the 
American  bird,  that  I  can  learn,  ever  lay  up  or  hide  any 
store  of  seeds  for  provision,  a  habit  reported  of  the  foreign 
family.  In  this  fact,  with  so  many  others,  wo  have  an 
additional  evidence  of  allinity  between  the  Titmouse  and 
Jay.*  Kven  the  blue  color,  so  common  with  the  latter,  is 
possessed  by  several  species  of  th'-  g(  nu. .  Indeed  from 
their  aggregate  relation,  and  ou'  iivnrous  lii>')it,  we  see  no 
better  place  of  arrangement  for  he  v  birds  t  an  succinct- 
ly after  the  (iarruli  or  Jays. 

The  Chicadee  i*  .^ii  inciies  in  length,  lu  JJ  iti  alar  p.xtent.  The 
throat,  lifiul,  and  ri(lj{t!  of  lli«  neck  bliick.  CheekB,  oars,  and  n  line 
to  the  Imsc  of  tiu-  l)ill,  wiiite.  Above  cinKn'oiiH,  tint"<l  with  brown. 
The  win^inlarker,  edged  with  whitiHli.  JJeneatii,  the  rititof  the  plu- 
mage is  wliite,  tinted  with  ijreyiHli-brown.  The  bill  black.  Tongue 
blunt.  Legs  bluish-grey.  Iris  dark  imzel.  Tlie  sewfl  and //oMHjr,',  to 
ine,  are  luirilly  di»tingiiisable  apart.  I  have  never  seen  the  j'o\ing 
with  hroirn  IwmU  ;  they  have  the  iiead  tjidu  black  from  the  lime  they 
leave  the  nest. 

NoTK.  —  Although  in  compliance  with  the  opinion  of  Tennninck, 
I  have  referred  the  ("hicadee  to  the  European  npecies,  yet  there  is  a 
considerable  dincrepancy  in  the  habits  of  the  two.  The  latter  apjiears 
to  form  a  soft  nest  of  down  and  feathers  ;  ours  makes,  X  believe,  no 
bedding  for  its  nest  whatever. 

The  Hudson's  iUv  Titmoi'se  is  said  to  have  a.  ferriigiiwus  hrniBn 
head  ;  to  utter  scarcely  any  note  beyond  a  chirp  ;  and  to  dwell  chiefly 
among  Juniper  thickets.  It  is  also  said  to  build  in  the  same  hurhes, 
in  June,  a  nest  of  grass,  lined  with  feathers,  containing  usuiilly  5 
eggs.  It  is  also  known  by  the  aborigines  under  a  ditlerent  name 
from  the  Chicadee. 


*  Thii  curioim  rclntion  woa,  I  bellove,  Tint  pointed  out  by  Princo  Buutparte  in  the 
hiitory  or  StollorN  Juy. 

21* 


1 


1 


246 


OMMVOUOUS  BIRDS. 


Family.  — SERICATI. 

Not  strictly  omnivorous.    Gregarious  and  sociable.     Voice  weak 
and  lisping,  just  audible. 


WAXEN  CHATTERERS.     (Bombycilla.  Brisson.) 

The  BILL  short,  straight,  and  elevated  :  tiie  upper  mandible  slightly 
curved  towards  its  extremity,  and  provided  witli  a  strongly  marked 
tootii.  NosTHiLS  at  the  base  of  the  bi:i,  oval,  open,  hidden  by  stiff 
hairs  directed  forwards ;  the  tongv^c  cartilaginous,  broad  at  the  tip 
and  lacerated.  The  ftil  with  3  toes  directed  forward  and  one  back- 
ward, the  exterior  united  to  the  middle  toe.  »iH»^.«  moderate  ;  the 
1st  and  2d  primaries  longest ;  the  spurious  feather  very  short. 

The  sexes  are  alike,  and  both  crested;  some  of  the  tips  of  the  se- 
condaries are  terminated  by  small,  red,  oblong  appendages,  like  seal- 
ing-wax. The  plumage  close,  soft,  and  silky.  Tliey  moult  annually  ; 
live  in  numerous  flocks  ;  and  are  given  to  wandering  at  all  seasons, 
except  tlie  mere  time  necessary  for  incubation.  In  disposition  they 
are  simple,  -ind  readily  tamed,  but  do  not  long  survive  confinement. 
They  feed  chielly  on  juicy  fruits,  and  small  larvic  or  caterpillars; 
building  in  trees,  and  olten  laying  twice  a  year ;  the  eggs  about  5. 
The  genus  composed  of  only  3  species,  one  peculiarly  American,  the 
2d  common  to  Europe,  Asia,  and  America,  and  the  3d  in  Japan. 


WAXEN  CHATTERER. 

{Bomhjeilla  garrvla,    Vikill.  Bonap.   Am.  Orn.  iii.  pi.  10.  fig.  2. 
JlmptUs  garrubis,  Lin.) 

Sp.  Chauact.  — Brownish  grey  ;  head,  except  the  posterior  part  of 
the  crest,  che-'nut ;  cliia,  frontlet,  and  line  partly  surrounding  the 
eye,  black  ;  belly  cinereous ;  vent  chestnut  color ;  wings  witli  two 
series  "<"  "'hite  marks. 

TiiK   Wax-Wing,  hitherto  in  America,   seen  only   in 
the  vicinity  of  the  Athabasca  river,  near  the  region  of  the 


IS. 

\TI. 

,d  sociable.     Voice  weak 


MBYCILLA.    BrisS07l.) 

e  tipper  mandible  slightly 
1  witli  a  strongly  marked 
'al,  open,  hidden  by  stiff 
laginouH,  broad  at  the  tip 
ed  forward  and  one  back- 
/(Vhw.s'  moderate;  the 
featlier  very  nhort. 
jme  of  the  tips  of  the  se- 
lUg  appendages,  like  seal- 
y.  They  moult  annually  } 
wandering  at  all  seasons, 
ition.  in  disposition  they 
3ng  survive  confniement. 
all  larvtc  or  caterjiillars ; 
\  year ;  tlie  eggs  about  5. 
s  peculiarly  American,  the 
and  the  3d  in  Japan. 


:rer. 

11.  Orn.  iii.  pi.  10.  fig.  2. 

IN.) 

cept  the  posterior  part  of 
ine  partly  surrounding  the 
nut  color ;  wings  witli  two 

rncrica,  seen  only  in 
near  the  region  of  the 


WAXEN  CHATTERER, 


247 


Rocky  Mountains,  in  the  month  of  March,  is  of  common 
occurrence,  as  a  passenger  throughout  the  colder  regions 
of  the  whole  northern  hemisphere.  Like  our  Cedar 
Birds,  they  associate  in  numerous  flocks,  pairing  only 
for  the  breeding  season  ;  after  which  the  young  and  old 
give  way  to  their  gregarious  habits,  and  collecting  in  nu- 
merous companies,  they  perform  extensive  journeys,  and 
are  extremely  remarkable  for  their  great  and  irregular 
wanderings.  The  circumstances  of  incubation  in  this 
species  are  wholly  unknown.  It  is  supposed  that  they  re- 
tire to  the  remote  northern  regions  to  breed,  yet  in  Nor- 
way, they  are  only  birds  of  pa.ssagc,  and  it  has  been  con- 
jectured tliat  they  pass  the  summer  in  the  elevated  table 
land  of  central  Asia.  Wherever  they  dwell  at  this  season, 
it  is  certain  that  in  spring,  and  late  autumn,  they  visit 
northern  Asia  or  Siberia,  and  eastern  Europe  in  vast 
numbers,  but  are  elsewhere  only  uncertain  stragglers, 
whose  appearance,  at  different  times,  has  been  looked 
upon  as  ominous  of  some  disaster  by  the  credulous  and 
ignorant. 

The  Waxen  Chatterers,  like  our  common  Cedar  Birds, 
appear  destitute  of  song,  and  only  lisp  to  each  other  their 
usual  low  reiterated  call  of  se  ze  re,  which  becomes  more 
audible  when  they  are  disturbed,  and  as  they  take  to 
wing.  Tiiey  are  also  very  sociable  and  affectionate  to 
their  whole  fraternity,  and  sit  in  rows  often  on  the  same 
branch,  when  not  employed  in  collecting  their  food, 
which  is  said  to  consist  of  juicy  fruits  of  various  kinds, 
particularly  grapes ;  they  will  also  eat  juniper  and  laurel 
berries,  as  well  as  apples,  currants,  and  figs,  and  are  often 
seen  to  drink. 

Length  f^i  inches ;  alar  extent  about  1.5.  Anterior  part  of  the  head 
bay,  passing  posteriorly  into  reddish  dral,  vhich  is  tiie  prevaihng 
color  above  as  well  as  on  the  breast.  Lower  part  of  the  back  and  rump 


Ui8 


OMNIVOROUS   BIRDS. 


oinereous.  Belly  and  fetnorals  pale  ash ;  vent  reddish  chestnut 
Quilb  dufky,  the  1st  spotless,  the  2d  with  a  small  mark  of  white  on 
the  tip  of  tlie  outer  web,  which  mark  gradually  increases  on  the  fol- 
lowing featliers,  forming  a  longitudinal  spot  which  is  much  larger  on 
the  secondaries,  4  of  which  havr  the  vermilion,  wax-like  appendages. 
Each  featlier  of  the  bastard  wing  is  also  largely  tipt  with  white,  thus 
producing  an  additional  spot  of  white  ;  there  is  however  no  yellow 
on  tlie  wing.  Tail  !!  inches,  black,  broadly  terminated  with  pale  yel- 
low.    Feet  and  legs  black.     Iris  reddish. 


CEDAR  BIRD,  or  CHERRY  BIRD. 

{Bomhjcilla  airolincnsis,  Biiiss.  Bonap.  Aodubon,  pi.  43.  [extremely 
fine  and  natural].  Jimpdis  amcricana,  Wilson,  i.  p.  107.  pi.  7. 
fig.  1.     Philad.  Museum,  No.  .5G08.) 

Sp.  Chakait.  —  Brownish  grey,  the  crest  inclining  to  rufous ;  chin, 
frontlet,  and  line  over  the  eye,  black ;  belly  yellow,  and  the  vent 
white;   wings  and  tail  dusky  grey,  tlie  latter  tipt  with  yellow. 


vent  reddish  chestnut, 
small  mark  of  wliite  on 
lly  increases  on  the  fol- 
vhich  is  much  larger  on 
n,  wax-like  appendages, 
(ly  tipt  with  white,  thus 
e  is  however  no  yellow 
erminated  with  pole  yel- 


RY  BIRD. 

lUBON,  pi.  43.  [extremely 
Wilson,  i.  p.  107.  pi.  7. 


nclining  to  rufous ;  chin, 
>lly  yellow,  and  the  vent 
I  latter  tipt  with  yellow. 


"^ 


CEDAR  BIRD,  OR  CHERRY  BIRD. 


249 


This  common  native   wanderer,   which  in  the  summer 
extends  its  migrations  to  the  remotest  unpeopled  regions 
oi' Canada,*  is  also  found  throughout  the  American  conti- 
nent 10  Mexico,  and  parties  occasionally  even  roam  to 
the  tropical   forests  of  Cayenne.     In   all  this  extensive 
geographical    range,   where   great  elevation   or  latitude 
tempers  the  climate  so  as  to  be  favorable  to  the  produc- 
tion of  juicy   fruits,   the    Cedar   Bird   will  probably  be 
found  cither  almost  wholly  to  reside,  or  to  pass  the  season 
of  reproduction.     Like  its  European  representative  (the 
Waxen  Chatterer),  it  is  capable    of    braving  a  consid- 
erable degree  of  cold,  for  in  Pennsylvania  and  Now  Jer- 
sey some  of  these  birds  are  seen  throughout  the  winter, 
where,  as  well  as  in  the   early  part  of  the   summer  and 
fall,  they  are  killed  and  brought  to  market,  generally  fat, 
and  much  esteemed  as  food.     Silky  softness  of  plumage, 
gentleness  of  disposition,  innocence  of  character,  extreme 
sociability,   and  an  innate,  inextinguishable  love  of  free- 
dom,  accompanied  by  a  constant  desire  of  wandering, 
are  characteristic  traits  in  the  physical  and   moral  por- 
trait of  the  second  as  well  as  the  preceding  species  of 
this  peculiar  and  extraordinary  genus. 

Leaving  the  northern  part  of  the  continent,  situated 
beyond  the  40th  degree,  at  the  approach  of  winter,  they 
assemble  in  companies  of  20  to  a  hundred,  and  wander 
through  the  Southern  States  and  Mexico  to  the  confines 
ofthe''equator,  in  all  of  which  countries  they  arc  now 
either  common  or  abundant.  As  observed  by  Audubon, 
their  flight  is  easy,  continued,  and  often  performed  at  a 
considerable  height ;  and  they  move  in  flocks  or  compa- 
nies, making  several  turns  before  they  alight.  As  the 
mildness  of  spring  returns,  and  with  it  their  favorite  food, 
they  reappear  in  the  Northern  and  Eastern  States  about 


250 


OMNIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


the  becrinniiig  of  April,  before  the  ripening  of  their  favor- 
ite fruits,  the  cherries  and  mulberries.     But  at  this  sea- 
son, to  repay  the  gardener  for  tlie  tythe  of  his  crop,  their 
natural  due,  they  fail  not  to  assist  in  ridding  his  trees  of 
more  deadly  enemies  which   infest  them,  and  the  small 
caterpillars,  beetles,  and  various  insects  now  constitute 
their    only  food ;  and  for  hours  at  a  time  they  may   be 
seen  feeding  on  tiie  all-despoiling  Canker-worms,*  which 
infest  our   Apple  trees  and  Elms.     On  these  occasions, 
silent  and   sedate,  after  plentifully  feeding,  they  sit  dres- 
sing tiicir  feathers,  in  near  contact  on  the  same  branch 
to  the  number  of  5  or  6  ;   and  as  the  season  of  selective 
attachment  approaches,  they  may  be  observed  pluming 
each  other,  and  caressing  with  the  most  gentle  fondness  ; 
a  playfulness,  in  which,  however,  they  are  even  surpassed 
by  the  contemned  Raven,   to  which   social  and    friendly 
family  our  Cedar  Bird,  different  as  he  looks,  has  many 
traits  of  alliance.     But  these  demonstrations  of  attach- 
ment, which,  in  a  more  vigorous  kind,  would  kindle  the 
feud  of  jealousy,  apparently  produce  in  this  bird  scarcely 
any  diminution  of  the  general  social  tie;  and  as  they  are 
gregarious  to  so  late  a  period  of  the  inviting  season  of  incu- 
bation, this  affection  has  been  supposed  to  be  independent 
of  sexual  distinction.     This  friendly  trait  is  carried  so 
far,  that  an  eye-witness  t  assures  me  he  has  seen  one 
among  a  row  of  these   birds  seated  upon  a  branch  dart 
after  an  insect,  and  offer  it  to  his  associate  when  caught, 
who  very  disinterestedly  passed  it  to  the  next,  and  each 
delicately  declining  the  offer,  the  morsel  has  proceeded 
backwards    and    forwards   before    it    was    appropriated. 
Whatever  may  be  the  fact,  as  it  regards  this  peculiar  so- 
ciability, it  frequently  facilitates  the  means  of  their  de- 


•  The  catoi    '!ur  lurva  of  a  Phalam.      \  My  fiiend  S.  Groen,  Esq.,  of  Boston. 


9-. 

)ening  of  their  favor- 
3S.  But  at  this  sea- 
he  of  his  crop,  their 
1  riihling  his  trees  of 
tiicm,  and  the  small 
iects  now  constitute 
a  time  they  may  be 
luiior-wornis,*  which 
On  tltese  occasions, 
;eding,  they  sit  dres- 
sn  the  same  branch 
J  season  of  selective 
)e  observed  pluming 
nost gentle  fondness,- 
ly  are  even  surpassed 
1  social  and   friendly 

he  looks,  has  many 
)nstrations  of  attach- 
nd,  would  kindle  the 
;  in  this  bird  scarcely 
1  tie ;  and  as  they  are 
ivitiug  season  of  incu- 
sed to  be  independent 
ly  trait  is  carried  so 
me  he  has  seen  one 

upon  a  branch  dart 
jsociate  when  caught, 
o  the  next,  and  each 
norsel  has  proceeded 
it  was  appropriated, 
gards  this  peculiar  so- 
le means  of  their  de- 

Bod  S.  Groan,  Esq.,  of  Boatoa. 


CEDAR  BIRD,  OR  CHERRY  IlIRD. 


251 


struction  with  the  thoughtless  and  rapacious  sportsman  ; 
who,  because  many  of  these  unfortunate  birds  can  be 
killed  in  an  instant,  sitting  in  the  same  range,  thinks  the 
exercise  of  the  gun  must  be  credited  only  by  the  havock 
which  it  produces  against  a  friendly,  useful,  and  innocent 
visitor. 

Towards  the  close  of  May,  or  beginning  of  June,  the 
Cherry-birds,  now  paired,  commence  forming  the  cradle  of 
their  young ;  yet  still  so  sociable  are  they,  that  several  nests 
may  be  observed  in  the  same  vicinity.  The  materials 
and  trees  chosen  for  their  labors  are  various,  as  well  as  the 
general  markings  of  their  eggs.  Two  nests,  in  the  Botanic 
Garden  at  Cambridge,  were  formed  in  small  hemlock  * 
trees,  at  the  distance  of  10  or  18  feet  from  the  ground, 
in  the  forks  of  the  main  branches.  One  of  these  was  com- 
posed uf  dry,  coarse  grass,  interwoven  rou!.r!dy  with  a  con- 
siderable quantity  of  dead  hendock  sprij^rs,  further  con- 
nected by  a  small  quantity  of  silk-weed  +  lint,  and  lined 
with  a  few  strips  of  thin  grape-vine  bark,  and  dry  leaves  of 
the  silver  fir.  In  the  second  nest  the  lining  was  merely 
fine  root  fibres.  On  the  4th  of  June  this  nest  contiiinod  2 
eggs;  the  whole  number  is  generally  about  4  or  5  ;  these 
are  of  the  usual  form  (not  remarkable  for  any  disproportion 
of  the  "2  ends),  of  a  pale  clay  vviiitc,  inclining  to  olive, 
with  a  few  well  defined  black  or  deep  umber  spots  at  the 
great  end,  and  with  others  seen,  as  it  were,  beneath  the 
surface  of  the  shell.  Two  or  three  other  nests  wore  made 
in  the  Apple-trees  of  an  adjoining  orchard,  one  in  a  place 
of  diflicult  access,  the  SKer  on  a  depending  branch  easily 
reached  by  the  hand.  These  were  securely  fixed  hori- 
zontally among  the  ascending  twigs,  and  were  formed 
externally  of  a  mass  of  dry,  wiry  weeds ;  the  materials 
being  firmly   held  together  by  a  large  quantity  of  Cud- 


*  Mies  canadensis.  L. 


f  Ascletiiaa,  aiiecic!). 


253 


OMNivonors  birds. 


weed  down,'*  in  some  places  softened  with  (tliitiiir-xs  raiiva 
so  as  to  bT  formed  into  coarse  connecting    .lire-'  <.     The 
round  edge  of  the  nest  was  made  of  coils  ofihe  wiry  stolonk; 
oi  a  common  Cinquefoil.t  tl>en  lined  with  cnm  t-f^Uiiipy  fspf 
root  fibres  ;  .uer  the  whole,  to  give    lasticity,  were  hiid  fine 
stalks  of  a  blender  Jininis  or  minute  rush.    lu  ihese  nests 
the  eggs  were,  us  described  by  Wilson  (except  as  to  form), 
marked  with  siu.iller  and   more  numerous  spots  than  the 
preceding.     From  the  latene.-s  of  'he  autumn,  at  wh'ch 
period  incubation  i    still  goiny  'ii,  i!  would  upi-ear  that  this 
species  is  very  proliiic,  and  must  have  at  least  two  hatcJies 
in  the  season;  for  as  late  as  the  Tth  of  Septcmlu  ;■  :i  brood, 
it)  this  vicinity,  were  yet  in  the  nest.     Tlie  periixi  of  sit- 
ting IS  ab.mt,  (5  or  1(>  days,  and  wbilo  the  young  are  still 
helpless,  it  is  surprising  to  witness  the  silence  of  tiio  pa- 
fsnl^?,  uttering  no  cries,  nor  making  luiy  approaches  to 
those  who  may   endanger  or  jeopard    tlic   safety   of   their 
brood  ;    still  they  are  flying  round,  and  ;^ilently  watching 
the  dreaded  result,  and  approach  the  nesi  the  moment  the 
intruder  disappears.     They  feed  the  young,  at  first,  with 
insects  and  smooth  catterpillars,   but  at  tlie  end  of  the 
3d  or  4th  day  they  arc  fed,  like  the  old  ones,  almost  ex- 
clusively on  sweet  and  juicy  fruits,  such  as  wiiortle  and 
service   berries,    wild    and    cultivated  cherries,  &c.     A 
young  bird  from  one  of  the  nests  described,  iji  the  Hem- 
lock, was  thrown  upon  my  protection,  having  been  by 
some  means  ejected  from  his  cradle.    In  this  critical  situ- 
ation however  he  had  been 'well  fed  or  rath(>r  gorged  with 
berries,  and  was  merely  scraf^jlld  by  the  fall  he  liad  re- 
ceived.    Fed  on  cherries    and   mulberries,  he  was   soon 
well  fledged,  while   his  mate   in  the  nest  was  sufVerod  to 
perish    by    the    forgetfulness   of  his    natural    protectors. 
Coeval  with  the  growth  of  his  wing-feathers,  were  already 


»  Onaphalium  plantagineum. 


t  Vtitentilla  titnpUz, 


■w 


withghitiitrnis  F.iliva 
ctiug  'lire'';*.     The 
lis  of  the  wiry  stolons 
vith  CNi  ee'liiufiy  Civf 
sticity,  were  inid  line 
rush.    lu  ilicne  nests 
1  (except  as  to  form), 
lerons  spots  tliaii  the 
10  autnuui,  at  wlrch 
k'oii''!  upc'iir  tliiit  this 
[?  .it  loust  two  hatnjies 
if  yeptenilx  r  '^  inoofl, 
.     The  period  of  sit- 
ile  tlie  yoiinir  are  still 
he  silence  of  the  pa- 
ig  any  upproiiches  to 
till'  safety  of  their 
ind  silently  watching 
nest  the  moment  the 
!  yoiniu,  at  first,  with 
nt  at  the  eiiil  of  the 
old  ones,  almost  ex- 
such   as  whortle  and 
ed  cherries,  &-c.     A 
'scribed,  in  the  Ilem- 
tion,  having  boon  by 
.    In  this  critical  situ- 
or  rather  gorged  with 
hy  the  fall  he  had  re- 
Iberries,  he  was   soon 
!  nest  was  siift'ered  to 
s    natural    protectors, 
feathers,  were  already 

t  Patmtilla  timplei. 


1 


CEDAR  unto,  OK  CIIF.RRY  BIUO. 


2r»3 


seen  the  remarkable  red  waxen  appendarres,  showing, 
that  their  appearance  indicates  no  particular  w^'c  or  srz  ; 
many  birds,  in  fact,  being  withoutthese  ornaments  during 
their  whole  lives.  I  soon  found  my  interesting  pruiofyec 
impatient  of  the  cage,  and  extremely  voracious,  gorging 
himsel.  t„  tlu;  very  mouth  with  the  soft  fruits  on  which 
he  was  often  fed.  The  throat,  in  fact,  like  a  craw,  ad- 
mits of  di.stention,  and  the  contents  are  only  gradually 
passed  ofT'  into  (he  stomach.  I  now  suffered  the  bird  to 
lly  at  large,  and  for  several  days  he  descended  from  the 
trees,  in  which  he  perched,  to  my  arm  for  food  ;  but  the 
moment  he  was  satisfied,  he  avoided  the  cage,  and  ap- 
peared by  his  restlessness  uiial)le  to  survive  the  loss  of 
liberty.  He  now  came  scldomer  to  me,  and  finally  joined 
the  lisping  muster-cry  of  tzv  Izc  t~J,  and  was  enticed 
away,  after  two  or  tiirec  attempts,  by  his  more  attractive 
and  suitable  associates.  When  young,  nature  provided 
him  witii  a  loud,  impatient  voice,  and  te-i/id,  tt'-flh/,  hti- 
te-(/id,  (often  also  the  clamorous  cry  of  the  young  Balti- 
more,) was  his  deafening  and  almost  incessant  call  for 
food.  Another  young  bird  of  the  first  brood,  probably 
neglected,  cried  so  loud  and  plaintively  to  a  male  Bal- 
timore-bird in  the  same  tree,  that  hi'  commenced  feeding 
it.  Mr.  VVinship  of  Brighton  informs  me.  tiiat  one  of  the 
young  Cedar-birds,  who  frofpiented  the  front  (»f  his  house 
in  quest  of  Iloncy-suckle  berries,  at  length,  on  receiving 
food,  probably  also  abandoned  by  his  roving  parents,  threw 
himself  wholly  on  his  protection.  At  large,  day  and 
night,  he  still  regularly  aUended  the  desscrtof  the  dinner- 
table  for  his  portion  oflruit,  and  remained  steadfast  in 
his  attachment  to  Mr.  W.  till  killed  by  an  accident,  being 
unfortunately  trodden  under  foot. 

Though  harmless,  exceedingly  gentle,  and  artless,  they 
make  some  show  of  defence  when  attacked,  as  a  second 


gs*-. 


ar>4 


OMNIVOROUS   IIIRDS. 


bird  which  I  brought  up,  destitute  of  the  red  appendages 
on  the  wingH,  when  threatened,  elevated  hia  crest,  looked 
angry,  and  repeatedly  snapped  with  his  bill. 

Almost  all  kinds  of  sweet  berries  are  sought  for  food  by 
the  American  waxen-wing.    In  searcli  of  whortleberries, 
they   retire  in    Pennsylvania  to  the    western    mountain 
chains  of  the  Alleghany  range  ;  and  in  autumn,  until  the 
approach  of  winter,  they  are  ecpially  attached  to  the  ber- 
ries of  the   Virginia   juniper,*   as  well  as  those  of  the 
sour-gum  tree,   and   the   wax-myrtle.     They  also    feed, 
late  in   the  season,  on  ripe   persimmon?,+  small  winter 
grapes,  bird-cherries,  the  fruit  of  the  Pride  of  China,  and 
other  fruits.     The  kernels  and  seeds  of  these,  uninjured 
by  the  action  of  the  stomach,  are  strewed  about,  and  thus 
accidentally  planted  in  abundance  wherever  these  birds 
frequent.   Like  their  prototype,  the  preceding  species,  the 
migrations,  and  time  and  place  of  breeding  are  influenc- 
ed by  their  supply    of  food.     In  the  spring  of  the   pre- 
sent year  (18;U),  they  arrived  in  this  vicinity,  as  usual, 
but,  in  conse(pience  of  the  failure  of  cherries,  scarcely 
any  have  bred  here,  to  my  knowledge,  and  very  few  were 
either  to  be  heard  or  seen   in  the  vicinity.     In  this  part 
of  New  England  this  bird  is   frequently   known  by  the 
name  of  the  Canada  Robin,  and  by  the  French  Canadians 
it  is  fancifully  called  Rccollet,  from  the  color  of  its  crest 
resembling  that  of  the  hood  of  this  religious  order. 

The  length  of  our  l.ird  varieB  ftom  74  to  full  8  inclup.  so  that  at 
times  it  arrives  at  the  full  size  of  the  European  species.  Head,  neck, 
breast,  back,  and  wing-coverts  of  a  br^^nish-grey  ;  beconnng  darker 
on  the  buck,  and  brightest  on  the  froSf  and  elevated  crest.  A  deep 
black  line  from  the  nostril  over  the  eye  to  the  hind-head,  Wde^d 

*  Improperly  coiled  Red  Cedar.  ,.,.„,       .„      .u.„ 

t  I...nanv  parts  of  Georgm,  and  partioularly  the  v.cuty  of  M.lledgev.llo,  he«> 
troo,  are  ol,;erved  to  spring  up  in  whole  grovea  on  cloured  or  burnt  landynd  th« 
growth  n,u..t  undoubtedly  bo  duo  to  the  dUse.nination  produced  by  thMO  bird.. 


CEDAR  ninu,  iiu  ( iir.nuY  ihiid. 


•iioii 


he  red  appendages 
d  his  crest,  looked 
lis  bill. 

!  sought  for  food  by 
of  whortlc-borries, 
western    mountain 

I  aiituiTin,  until  the 
ttaclied  to  the  bcr- 

II  as  those  of  the 
They   also    feed, 

r)n?,+  small  winter 
'ride  of  €liin;i,and 
)f  these,  uninjured 
ved  about,  and  thus 
licrever  these  birds 
ceding  species,  the 
eding  are  inihicnc- 
spring  of  the  pre- 

vicinity,  as  usual, 
'  cherries,  scarcely 

and  very  few  were 
Muity.  In  this  part 
ntly  known  by  the 
e  French  Canadians 
he  color  of  its  crest 
ligious  order. 

all  ^  inclHP.  so  that  at 
in  species.  Ilcatl,  neck, 
-grey  ;  becoming  darker 
elevated  crest.  A  deep 
the  hind-head,  bordered 


above  by  a  slender  line  of  white  ;  another  line  of  the  same  color  pasHin({ 
from  the  lower  mandible,  Tlie  chin  Idack,  .rradually  I  rijfhloninir  into 
greyish  blown.  Tlie  belly  yellow  ;  vent  while;  win^rs  dnsky-ifr.'y. 
Rump  and  tail-coverts  dark  ash-color ;  tail  of  the  same  color  deep- 
enini;  into  dusky,  and  broadly  tipt  with  yellow.  Six  or  7,  and  some- 
limes  the  whole  !•  secondaries  of  the  winjfs  curiously  ornamented 
with  small  vermilion  oblontr  aippcndages,  resiMublim;  sealin^'-wax, 
which  are  a  proloutmtiou  of  the  shails  ;  occasionally  these  processes 
also  terminate  Bome  of  the  tail-feathers.  Many  <d'  these  birils  are 
destitute  of  these  sini^ular  ornaments,  wliicli  answer  no  economical 
purpose  whatever  to  the  individual.  The  bill,  lejL's.  and  claws  are 
black.     Iris  blood-red.     In  the  female,  liie  lints  are  duller. 


icinity  of  Milledgevillo,  IheiO 
iircd  or  burnt  lands,  and  tliia 
ruducod  by  tliMO  l)itd». 


ori)p:r  third. 


' 
i 


I.N'SKCTIVOROrS  BIRDS. 

In  tlirs(!  tli(!  nil, I.  is  either  sliort,  or  of  moderate  length, 
straight,  rouiideil,  and  weakly  edged  or  pointed  like  an 
iiwl.  The  upper  mundiNc  is  curved  and  notched  to- 
wards the  point,  most  commonly  provided  at  its  lia^-  uith 
BtilV  hairs,  directed  forwards.  The  fkkt  have  !{  ol  the 
toes  before,  and  one  behind,  all  on  the  same  level.  The 
outer  united  to  the  middle  toe  at  its  base  as  far  as  to  the 
first  articulation. 

The  voice  of  these  b  rds  is  often  agreeable  and  harmo- 
nious:  all  of  them  feed  principally  upon  insect  i  i.nicu- 
larly  during  the  time  of  reproduction  ;  berries  also  afford 
aliment  to  many  of  tlic  sp.-cies,  but  they  am  ordinarily 
only  an  accessory  nourishment.  They  have  often  sever- 
al broods  in  the  year,  and  dwell  in  the  woods  and  thickets, 
or  among  reeds  and  marshes,  whei  'ley  uest  in  single 
pairs. 


Family  — CANORI. 

With  the  lilU  bUoH  or  moderate,  the  tail  of  r2  feathers.  — Tliey 
feed  '  ..  iii.^.  ots,  at  large  ;  eN."!  in  musical  |i  nvers  ;  and  their  He»h 
is  palatulile. 


uitTciiKn<iimr)8. 


257 


:d. 


KDS. 

jf  moderate  length, 
ur  pointed  like  un 
I  and  notched  to- 
led  at  its  base  with 
KKT  have  3  ol  tlie 
!  Bame  level.  The 
ase  as  far  as  to  the 

reeable  and  harnio- 
on  insect-,  jmrlicu- 
berries  also  afford 
they  arr  ordinarily 
y  have  often  sever- 
vvoods  and  thickets, 
they  uest  in  single 


nUTCIIER-BIRDS.     (Lanius.  Lin.) 

Tho  Bir  I.  tii'  iiiixlt-ratu  Mi/e,  rolmst,  Hlruii^lil  frniu  ilH  origin,  an<l 
iiilirii  coiupreaaecl,  willi  adviiiiciiig  biiHlloa  at  tiie  Ihihb  ;  the  upper 
umndibli*  rduiitlxd  above,  hooked,  and  acute  at  the  tip,  near  towiiich, 
on  either  «iile,  tliere  in  a  Hiriiill  MJiiirp  tootli  ;  llie  b)wer  notched,  iind 
also  toolli"cl  near  tlio  tip.  Nostkii.s  basiil,  lateral,  ulniost  n/iiiid,  partly 
hidden  in  the  hairs  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  and  halfcluMed  by  a  vault- 
ed membrane.  Feci,  with  the  tarHUH  lonper  than  the  middle  too  ; 
the  toes  entirely  divided.  H'iiiirs  moderate,  llie  spurioUH  feather  very 
short-  and  the  lid  and  'llli  priniaricH  loiiirest. —  J'lie  female  and 
younir  ol'  the  American  npecies  nrarcely  dill'er  from  the  adult  male. 
Some  others  have  a  partial  moult .-»  serond  time  in  the  year. 

The  lartfer  species  possess  the  couracre  ami  cruelly  "f  birds  of  ra- 
pine. Their  prey,  which  they  sii/ •  ami  (  ouvey  in  the  bill,  consists. 
however,  principally  of  larjje  insects;  tli'  ofU-n  also  attack  small 
birds,  for  which  they  commonly  lie  in  w  iii  the  hiirli  branches  of 
trees ;  ti.?y  hold  their  victim  usually  in  one  foot, and  tear  it  to  pieces 
with  the  bill.  They  fly  precipititcly  and  irregularly  to  short  dis- 
tances ;ind  111  cully  move  the  tail.  They  defend  their  ne.tts  from 
the  i  igest  birds  of  prey  with  dauutleHs  temerity;  live  in  families; 
build  in  trees  and  bushes,  and  li v  from  .'>  to  7  eggs.  Their  voice  is 
loud  and  somewhat  musical,  aii  i  they  have  a  propensity  for  imitat- 
ing tlie  calls  and  notes  of  other  birds.  — 'I  liey  are  fuund  in  all  parts 
of  the  world;  tmtin  South  .\merica  they  an  ;irincipally  represented 
by  other  'illiei'  forms.  In  habit  they  approach  the  birds  of  prey,  have 
some  rek  tin  at  the  same  time  to  Magpies,  and  pass  almost  into  the 
Flvatchor^ .  Thru.Hhes,  and  other  small  insectivorous  birds. 


23« 


t 


I 


I. 


of  12  feathers.  —  They 
'wers;  and  their  llesh 


' 


issr: 


GREAT  AMERICAN  SHRIKE,  on  HFTCIIER- 
BIHI). 

(hmiut  seplnHrionnlis,  Om,  ll.'NAr.    L.exnMor,  Wii.^os,  i.  p.  74. 
pi. .').  fig.  1.     Philiiil.  Museum,  Nil.  tit!4.) 

Sr.  CiiAnACT.- Light  Hlnt,-...l..r.  beneath  wliite,  unchiktc.I  with 
palt.  browu  i  wings  and  tail  bluok  ;  tail-feath.TH,  exceptinir  the  9 
niid.ilo  ourH,  partly  whiU- -,  lliiiil  primary  lontrfst ;  Ith,  '  ,;,ml  to 
tWM.—  femah  paler,  with  the  band  of  blutk  on  the  lace  ob- 
scure.—  Youn/f,  greyi3h(lrab.cr.ior,\vin!r  Hp..tob«cnrp. '.id  and-lth 
prinmries  nearly  eq.inl.  tlie  ad  innch  Hb-irter,  with  four  of  the 
middle  tail-featheia  wiiolly  black. 

This  little  wary  northern  hunter  is  most  commonly  seen 
in  this  part  of  the  continent  at  the  commencement  of 
winter,  a  few  remainini,'  with  u.s  throufrliout  that  Hcuson  ; 
and  it  is  remarked  by  Wilson,  that  tliey  do  not  extend 
their  wanderings  further  than  the  state  of  Virginia.  In 
March  they  retire  to  the  north,  though  some  take  up  their 


(.K  niTCIIER- 


itiir,  Wii.'iN,  i.  p.  74. 

No.  t)ti-l.) 

white,  uniiulati'il  with 
itheTH,  fXfi'ptiiisr  the  9 
IniiiU'st;  -Itli,  .'iiittl  to 
liiiit'k  on  the  liice  ob- 
ipcil  olirtcuro,  '.'.(1  aiid'Uh 
irttT,  with  Tour  of  tlie 

nost  commonly  seen 
comincncement  of 
igrliout  thiit  season  ; 
they  do  not  extend 
te  of  Viri^inia.  In 
h  some  take  u))  their 


(.itr.AT  AMr.iiirAN  hiiriki:,  or  nuTciiKR-iiiiiit. 


'ioO 


fxininicr  tilMtdcin  tlin  tlii('.kot<i  fortrntM  in  I't'iiiisylvnnia,  and 
Nctw  Knghiiid.  The  noHl  is  Muid  to  l»e  liir){(»  nnd  coinpnct, 
in  the  (lirk  of  a  small  Iri'f,  and  Noini'tinu'H  in  an  iipple- 
tree,  ci>iii|»(imim1  <'XH!nially  oldricd  j{riis«,  with  whitish  imosh, 
and  well  lined  with  foather^.  The  u)(^!t  nro  uboiit  (i,  of  n 
pal(!  cinereous  white,  thickly  inarkfd  at  {\w  jfrratcr  end 
with  .s|Mit'<  and  Htr(!ak!<  of  rufous.  TIk;  jx'riod  of  .silting 
i8  about  l'>  days.  The  young  np[ienr  early  in  June,  or 
the  iaiti'i  cMfi  of  May. 

Th''  principal  I'ood  of  tlii'<  siieries  is  Inr^'e  insects,  such 
as  gra>>lio|)p(;rs,  crickets,  and  .-spiders.  With  the  surplus 
of  tiie  foriui'r,  as  well  as  small  hirdti,  he  disposes  in  a  very 
singular  maimer,  by  impaling  them  upon  thoru.s,  as  if 
thus  |irovii!iii!r  securely  for  a  future  supply  of  pro\ision. 
In  llic  alMiud.iiice  liowr-vor,  which  surround.^  him  iu  the 
ample  store-house  of  iiaiure,  he  soon  loses  »ight  of  thi.s 
needleM  and  sportive  economy,  and  like  the  thievish  Pie 
and  Jav,  he  sutfers  his  forjjotten  store  to  remain  dryin^f  nnd 
blcacliiu^'  in  the  elements  till  no  lon^'er  palatable  or  diges- 
tible to  thiir  hoarder.  As  this  little  Butcher,  like  his  more 
comn.on  Kuro|)(sin  representative,  i)r(y>i  upon  birds,  these 
impaled  ^'rasslioppers  were  imagined  to  be  lures  to  at- 
tract his  victims,  but  his  coiiragr  and  rapacity  render  such 
snares  both  useless  an<i  improbable,  as  he  has  been 
known,  with  the  temerity  of  a  Falcon,  to  follow  a  bird 
in  to  an  open  ca^e  sooner  than  lose  his  quarry.  Mr. 
J.  Brow  II,  of  Cambrid^'f,  informs  me,  that  one  of  these  birds 
had  the  boldness  to  attack  two  Canaries,  in  a  cage,  sus- 
pended one  fine  winter's  day  at  the  window.  The  poor 
songsters  in  their  fears  fluttered  to  the  side  of  the  cage, 
and  one  of  them  thrust  its  head  through  the  bars  of  his 
prison,  at  this  instant  the  wily  Butcher  tore  off  his  head, 
aiul  loft  the  body  dead  in  the  cage.  The  cause  of  the 
accident  seemed  wholly  mystciious,  till,  on  the  following 


2G0 


INSECTIVOROrS   BIROi4. 


day,  tlic  bold  hunter  was  found  to  have  entered  the  room, 
througli  the  open  window,  witli  a  view  to  despatch  the 
remaining  victim;  and,  but  for  timely  interference,  it 
would  Jiavc  instantly  sliared  the  fate  of  its  companion. 
On  another  occasion,  while  a  Mr.  Lock,  in  this  vicinity, 
was  engaged  in  fowling,  he  wounded  a  Robin  who  flew 
to  a  little  distance  and  descended  to  the  ground  ;  he  soon 
heard  the  disabled  bird  uttering  unusual  cries,  and  on 
approaching  found  him  in  the  grasp  of  the  Shrike.  He 
snatched  up  the  bird  from  his  devourer  ;  but  having  tasted 
blood,  it  still  followiMl  the  gentleman,  as  if  determined  not 
to  relinquish  its  i)roposed  prey,  and  only  desisted  from 
the  quest  on  receiving  a  mortal  wound.  The  propensi- 
ty for  tlius  singularly  securing  its  prey,  is  also  practised 
on  birds,  whicli  it  iiii|)ules  in  the  same  manner,  and  after- 
wards tears  fliem  to  pieces  at  l<;isure. 

From  his  attempts  to  imitate  the  notes  of  other  small 
birds,  in  Canada,  and  some  parts  of  New  England,  he  is 
sometimes  cailed  a  Mockiuff-hird.  His  usual  note,  like 
that  of  ihe  following  species,  resembles  the  discordant 
creaking  of  ■\  sign-board  hinge ;  and  my  friend  Mr. 
Brown  has  heard  one  mimicldng  tiie  (piacking  of  his  ducks, 
so  that  they  answered  to  him  as  to  a  decoy  fowl.  They 
aldo  imitate  other  birds,  and  I  have  been  informed 
that  they  sing  pretty  well  themselves,  at  times,  or  rather 
chatter,  and  mimic  the  songs  of  other  birds,  as  if  with  a 
view  to  entice  them  into  sight,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
them  their  prey.  This  fondness  for  imitation,  as  in  the 
Pies,  may  however  be  merely  the  result  of  caprice. 

The  parents  and  their  broid  move  in  company  in  quest 
of  their  subsistence,  and  remain  together  the  whole  sea- 
son. The  male  boldly  attacks  even  the  Hawk  or  the 
Eagle  in  their  defence,  and  with  such  fury  that  these  gen- 
erally decline  the  onset. 


DS. 

ve  entered  the  room, 
iew  to  despatcli  the 
ncly  interference,  it 
te  ot"  its  companion, 
ock,  in  tliis  vicinity, 
(1  a  Robin  who  flew 
tlio  ground  ;  he  soon 
imsual   cries,  and  on 

of  the  Shrike.  He 
!r  ;  hut  having  tasted 

as  if  determined  not 
d  only  desisted  from 
ind.  The  propensi- 
ty, is  also  practised 
c  manner,  and  after- 

lotes  of  other  small 
New  England,  lie  is 
His  usual  note,  like 
ihlcs  the  discordant 
and  my  friend  Mr. 
uacking  of  his  ducks, 
I  decoy  fowl.  They 
lave  been  informed 
s,  at  times,  or  rather 
jr  birds,  as  if  with  a 
e  purpose  of  making 

imitation,  as  in  the 
;ult  of  caprice. 

in  company  in  quest 
ether  the  whole  sea- 
1  the  Hawk  or  the 
1  fury  that  these  gen- 


LOGGER-IIEAD  SHRIKE. 


261 


This  .species  is  fron,  10  to  lOJ  inches  in  length,  and  13  to  14  in 
alar  expansion.  Above,  tlie  auult  is  pale  cinereous,  with  the  sides  of 
t^ie  Iieail  nearly  white,  crossed  with  a  bar  of  black  that  passes  from 
the  nostril  through  the  eye  to  the  middle  of  the  neck.  Beneath  some- 
times nearly  ^Mtr,  at  other  times  incliaing  to  dusky,  and  marked 
rather  thickly  with  varied  lines  of  a  darker  hue  (each  of  the  feathers 
marked  will.  ^  or  3  of  these  rounding  transverse  bars).  The  wings  are 
black,  with  a  spot  of  white  on  the  primaries  just  below  their  coverts. 
Kump  ami  tail  coverts  light  ash.  Tail  cuneiform  of  Vi  feathers 
(in  the  adult),  the  2  middle  ones  only  black  (in  the  younrr  4),  the 
others  niv  li,,t  with  white,  and  the  outer  pair  nearly  all  white.  The 
legs,  feel,  and  bill  towards  its  point,  black.  Iris  bright  hazel.  In  the 
specific  character  it  will  be  seen  that  the  young  dirters  so  much  from 
the  adult  as  to  disannul  the  marks  ofsjiecification. 


LOGGER-HEAD  SHRHvE. 

{Lanivs  ludnricianus,  Lin.  L.  carolinensis,  AununoN,  pi.  .',7.  [afine 
group].  WiLso.v,iii.  p.57.  pi.  22.  fig.  8.  Pliilad.  Museum,  No. 
0.57.)  ' 

Sr.  CiiAnACT.  — Dark  slate  color;  beneath  white ;  frontlet,  wings, 
and  tail  black ;  the  tail-feathers,  with  the  exception  of  the  4  mid- 
dle ones,  partly  white  ;  2d  primary  longest ;  the  1st  and  5th  equal. 

Tins  species,  much  re.sembling  the  last,  inhabits  only 
the  warmer  parts  of  the  United  States,  residing  and  breed- 
ing from  North  Carolina  to  Florida,  where  I  have  ob- 
served  it  likewise  in  winter.  It  was  also  seen  in  the 
table-land  of  Me.xico  by  that  enterprising  naturalist  and 
collector,  Mr.  Bullock.  According  to  Audubon,  it  always 
affects  the  low  countries,  being  seldom  met  with  in  the 
mountainous  districts,  though  they  may  happen  merely 
to  intersect  the  parts  it  inhabits.  Its  farthest  inland 
migrations  are  only  into  the  states  of  Mississippi  and 
Louisiana,  where  it  is  observed  mere'y  to  pass  the  winter 
months. 


..„j.mJ9^ 


263 


INSECTIVOUOIS  DIUDS. 


Its  habitt*  lire  sliy  and  retiring,  and  it  renders  itself 
useful,  and  claims  protection,  by  destroying  mice  around 
the  plantation,  for  which  it  sits  and  watches  near  the 
rice  stacks  for  l\ours  together,  seldom  failing  of  its  prey 
as  soon  as  it  ai.pears.  Like  most  of  the  genus,  he  is  also 
well  satisfied  with  large  insects,  crickets,  and  grasshop- 
pers. He  has  no  song,  and  Wilson  and  Audubon  com- 
pare his  call  to  tlic  creaking  of  a  sign-board  in  windy 
weathor  ;  he  probably,  however,  has  the  usual  talent  for 
mimicry.  The  latter  informs  us,  that  the  species  begin 
to  pair  about  March,  and  sliow  very  little  affection  in 
their  mutual  deportment.  The  nest  is  fi.\ed  in  a  low 
bush,  generally  a  hawthorn,  and  is  but  little  concealed. 
It  is  coarsely  made  of  dry  crooked  twigs,  and  lined  with 
root  fibres,  and  slender  grass.  The  eggs,  :}  to  5,  are 
greenish  white.  Incubation  is  performed  by  both  sexes 
in  turn,  but  each  bird  procures  its  own  food  in  the  inter- 
vals. They  rear  only  one  brood  in  the  season.  Its 
manners  resemble  those  of  a  Hawk  ;  it  sits  silent  and 
watchful,  until  it  espies  its  prey  on  the  ground,  when 
it  pounces  upon  it,  and  strikes  first  with  the  bill,  in 
the  manner  of  small  birds,  seizing  the  object  immedi- 
ately after  in  its  claws  ;  but  it  never  attacks  birds  or 
impales  its  prey  like  the  preceding  species,* 

The  Logger-head  Shrike  is  9  inches  long,  and  13  in  alar  expansion. 
Above  dark  grey;  tiie  scapulars  and  line  over  the  eye  whitish. 
Wings  Muck,  with  a  small  spot  of  white  at  tlie  base  of  tlie  primaries, 
and  tipt  with  white.  Forehead  and  sides  of  tlie  head  included  in  a 
broad  black  baud.  Tail  cuneiform,  the  4  middle  fetithers  wholly 
black  (in  tlie  adult?),  thereat  more  or  less  tipt  with  white,  to  the 
outer  one,  which  is  nearly  all  white.  Below  white,  sometimes  (ac- 
cording to  age)  marked  with  faint,  waving,  pale,  dusky  lines;  the 
aides  tinged  with  brown.  Iris  dark  hazel.  Bill  and  legs  black. — 
The  Female  is  somewhat  Biiialler  and  davker. 


♦  AoDVaon,  Otn.  iUo^.  i.  p.  300,  301. 


FLYCATCHERS. 


2G3 


J  it  renders   itself 
oying  mice  tiround 

wiUclics  near  the 

t'iiilinir  oJ'  its  prey 
ic  genus,  lie  is  also 
ets,  and  grasshop- 
nid  Audubon  cnm- 
i^rn-hoard  in  windy 
he  usual  talent  for 
t  the  species  begin 

little  affect iun  in 
,  is  fixed  in  a  low 
at  little  concealed. 
igs,  and  lined  with 

eggs,  'i  to  5,  are 
nied  by  both  sexes 
n  food  in  the  inter- 
1  the  season.  Its 
;   it  sits   silent  and 

the  ground,  when 
t  with  the  bill,  in 
the  object  inimedi- 
ir  attacks  birds  or 
3cies,* 

nd  13  in  alar  expansion, 
over  tlie  eye  whitish. 
le  base  of  the  primaries, 
the  head  inchided  in  a 
riiddle  feuthers  wholly 
tipt  witli  white,  to  the 
white,  sometimes  (ac- 
pale,  dusky  lines ;  the 
Bill  and  legs  black. — 

D,301. 


Note.  Tiie  Red-backed  Shrike  (Laniiis  collurio,  L.)  was  sent 
to  Count  de  Buffon  from  Louisiana,  and  as  (nccordiiijr  to  Tem- 
minck)  it  is  common  in  South  America,  tliere  is  little  doubt  but  that 
it  may  occasionally  visit  the  warmer  parts  of  tlie  United  States  and 
Mexico. 

This  species  is  only  7J  inches  in  lengtli,  witli  a  grey  crown  and 
rump;  the  back  and  coverts  of  tlie  wings  of  a  rufous  chestnut  color; 
the  throat  and  abdomen  white,  the  flanks  and  vent  roseate,  inclining 
to  rufous.  Wings  nearly,  and  2  middle  tail-feathers  wholly  black, 
the  other  tail-feathers  white  for  two  thirds  of  their  lentrth.  Tail 
nearly  even.  The  2d  primary  lonjrer  than  the  .")lh. — The  frniale 
sullied  rust-color,  with  the  breast  and  belly  impure  white  with  dusky 
semicircular  lines. 

The  litit-lintkeil  Shrike  breeds  in  Sweden  in  tlie  latter  end  of 
April.  The  nest  is  large,  made  in  a  low,  thorny  bush,  formed  of 
wool  and  sotY  withered  grass,  itc,  well  put  together.  Tlie  egirs 
are  .'>  or  fi,  blunt,  of  a  roseate  tint  with  reddish  spots;  or  even 
yellowish,  with  gieyish-green  spots  in  the  form  of  a  zone.  The  male 
feeds  his  mute  while  sitting,  and  displays  great  courage  in  the  de- 
fence of  his  brood.  They  feed  on  large  insects,  flies,  spiders,  young 
mice,  small  lizards,  grasshoppers,  frogs,  t&c. 


THE  FLYCATCHERS.     (Misckapa.  Lin.) 

In-  these  the  nii.i.  is  of  moderate  magnitude,  rather  stout,  angular, 
considerably  widened  and  flattened  towards  the  base,  which  is  cruard- 
ed  with  longish  bristles  ;  the  upper  mandible  is  notched  towards  the 
end,  and  bent  at  the  tip.  The  Nostrils  basal,  lateral,  rounded,  ind 
partly  hid  in  the  advancing  hairs.  Fcrt,  with  the  tarsus  of  the 
length  of,  or  a  little  longer  than,  the  middle  toe  ;  inner  toe  free,  or 
merely  united  at  the  base ;  hind  nail  more  curved  than  tlie  rest  and 
larger  than  that  of  the  middle  toe.  Wings  rather  long  and  some- 
what sharp ;  with  the  1st  primary  very  short,  the  3d  and  4th  longest. 

Those  are,  in  Europe  and  North  America,  birds  of  passage,  n.'ually 
arriving  late,  and  retiring  earlier  or  later  iii  the  autumn.  They  sub- 
sist during  summer  almost  wholly  upon  flies,  moths,  and  other 
winged  insects,  which  they  catch  on  the  wing.  They  walk  badly, 
and  scare  1y  ever  descend  to  the  earth  after  their  food.  In  autumn 
they  feed  much  on  berries  of  various   kinds,   (and  here  chiefly  on 


m  •'.,! 


264 


INSECTIVOROUS  Dinns. 


those  wliich  are  bitter  or  nstringenl.)  Tliey  Imve  gpnernlly  but  a 
single  brood  in  the  season  ;  they  perch  on  the  summits  of  trees,  living 
in  single  pairs  in  the  forest  where  they  form  their  nests,  often  morn- 
ing and  evening,  and  sometinies  nearly  the  whole  diiy,  taking  a 
station  near  some  stagnant  water,  and  flying  to  and  from  tliis  perch 
alternately  after  hovering  insects.  The  brond-lnllril  North  American 
species  are  taciturn,  or  have  only  a  few  quaint,  strid ulcus  calls  and 
cries,  and  form  no  attachment  to  those  who  feed  tlieni  in  a  state  of 
domestication,  yet  eat  greedily  ;  these  also  have  only  oin'  moult  in 
the  year.  —  In  another  section,  or  rather  genus,  allied  to  Sylvia,  the 
voice  is  melodious,  and  the  moult  of  the  male  double,  arriving  in  the 
spring  in  a  more  l)rilUant  nuptial  plumage.  The  young  differ  from 
the  adult  only  during  the  first  year.  The  .sliellsand  drier  p.irts  of  in- 
sects, as  well  as  the  skins  and  seeds  of  fruils,  are  brought  up  from 
the  stomach,  and  ejected  by  the  bill, 

t  MusciPETA.    With  the  moult  single,  and  the  voice  uithuiU  cadence. 

*  Larger  species  (or  Tvhansi). 
These  are  unusually  petulant,  tyrannical,  and  courageous,  driving 
sometimes  from  the  vicinity  of  their  nests  the  most  i)owerful  birds 
of  prey. 


Imve  gonpfiiUy  hut  a 
uiniiiits  of  trees,  living 
(leir  nests,  often  luorn- 

wliole  clay,  taking  a 
to  and  from  this  perch 
■liillril  North  American 
it,  strickilona  callH  and 
eed  tliem  in  a  state  of 
ive  only  one  iiiniiU.  in 
IS,  allied  to  Sylvia,  tiie 
doulile,  arriving  in  the 
The  yimnj.'  diftVr  from 
Is  and  drier  piirts  of  in- 
,  are  brought  iij)  from 

c  roice  uitliout  radotcc, 

nd  courageous,  driving 
:ie  most  powerful  birds 


KIXG-BIRD,  OR  TYRANT  FLYCATCHER. 

(Miisdrapa  tiiraviuis,  Briss.  JIonap.  Aununov,  pi.  7f),  Liinins 
tyranmis,  Wilso.v,  ii.  p.  (J7.pl.  Jli.fig.i.  Phil.  Museum,  No.r,7d.) 

Sp.  Chakact.  — Blackish,  beneath  near.y  white;  tail  even.  e.-?tend- 
ing  far  beyond  the  wings,  black,  tipped  with  white.  —.W«/«  with 
a  scarlet  spot  on  the  crown. 

Tins  well  known,  remarkable,  .ind  pugnacious    bird 
takes  up  liis  summer  residence   in  all    ti.-   intermediate 
region,  from  the  temperate  parts  of  Mexico  to  the  unin- 
23 


266 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


habited  and  remote  interior  of  Canada.*     In  all  this  vast 
geographical  range  the   King-bird   seeks  bin  food  and 
rears  his  young.     According  to  Audubon,  they  appear  in 
Louisiana  by  the  middle  of  March,    and  about  the  20th 
o*"  April,  Wilson  remarked  their  arrival  in  Pennsylvania, 
in  small  parties  of  5  or  (i ;   but  they  are  seldom  seen  in 
tlii.s  part  of  New  England    before    the  middle  of  May. 
They  arc  now  silent  and  peaceable,  until   they  begin  to 
pair,   and  form  their   nests,  which  takes  place  from  the 
Ist  to  the  last  week  in  May,  or  early  in  June,  according 
to  the  advancement  ot  tlie  season  in  the  latitudes  of  40 
an  '  4;J  dcj.ncoc.     The  uest  is  usually  built  in  the  orchard, 
on  the  horizontal  branch  of  an  apple,  oi  pear  tree,  riome- 
timea  in   an   oak,  in   the    adjoining    forest,  at  various 
heisrhts  from  the  ground,  seldom  carefully  concealed,  and 
fiimly  fi.ved  at  the  bctlom  \a   the   supporting  twigs  of  the 
brancli.     The  outside   consists  of  coarse  stalks  of  dead 
grass  and  wiry  weods,  the  whoio  vvtil  connected  and  bed- 
ded with  cud-wctd  *  down,   tow,  or  an  occasional  ;ope- 
yarn,  and  wool;  it  is  then  li-ied  with  dry^  slender  grass, 
root  fibres,  and  horse-hair.     The  eggs  are  generally  3  to 
5,  yellowish  white,  and  marked  with  a  few  large,  well  de- 
fined spots  of  deep  and  bright  biown.     They  often     aild 
and  hatch  twice  in  the  season. 

The  King-bird  has  no  song,  only  a  shrill  gutt'ual  twit- 
ter, somewhat  like  that  of  the  Martin,  but  no  wny  musi- 
cal.  At  times,  as  he  sits  watching  his  prey,  he  calls  to 
his  mate  with  a  harsh  tshei/p,  rather  quickly  pronounced, 
and  attended  with  some  action.  As  insects  approach 
him,  or  as  lie  darts  after  them,  the  snapping  oi"  hit;  bill  is 
heard,  like  the  shutting  of  a  watch-case,  and  is  the  cer- 
tain grave  of  his  p  ey.  Beetles,  grasshoppers,  crickets, 
and  winged  insects  of  all  descriptions  form  his  principal 


*  Boing  seen  by  Mr.  Say  at  Pembino,  lat.  4'..=.        t   Onapkalium  plaMagineum. 


*  In  all  this  vast 
iks  hiii  food  and 
>n,  they  appear  in 
id  about  the  20th 

in  Pennsylvania, 
re  seldom  seen  in 

middle  of  May. 
til  they  begin  to 
es  place  from  the 
1  June,  according 
le  latitudes  of  40 
lilt  in  the  orchard, 
r  pear  tree,  riome- 
forost,  at  various 
lly  coiiceulcd,  and 
irting  twigs  of  the 
rse  stalks  of  dead 
onnccted  and  bed- 
1  ocicasional  ;ope- 
Iryj  slender  grass, 

are  gencaally  3  to 
few  huge,  well  de- 

They  often     mid 

brill  gutt'ual  twit- 

b\Jt  no  wny  musi- 

s  prey,  he  crUs  to 

lickly  pronounced, 

insects  approach 

pping  of  hit;  bill  is 

se,  and  is  the  cer- 

shoppers,  crickets, 

form  his  principal 

naphalium  plantagincum. 


KING-DIRD,  OE  TVRANT  FLYCATCIIEn. 


267 


summer  food.  I  have  also  seen  them  collecting  the  can- 
Ver-worms  from  the  Elm.  Towards  autumn,  as  various 
k»  ids  of  berries  ripen,  these  constitute  a  very  considera- 
ble and  favorite  part  of  his  subsistence  ;  but,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  currants  (of  which  he  only  cats  periiaps  when 
confined),  he  refuses  all  exotic  productions,  contenting 
himself  with  black-berries,  whortlc-berrios,  those  of  the 
sassafras,  cornel,  Viburnum,  elder,  poke,  and  5-leaved 
ivy.*  Raisins,  foreign  currants,  grapes,  cherries,  peach- 
es, pears,  and  apples  were  never  even  tasted,  when  offer- 
ed to  a  bird  of  this  kind,  which  I  had  many  months  as 
my  pensioner ;  of  the  last,  when  roasted,  sometimes, 
hoyyever,  a  few  mouthfuls  were  relished,  in  the  absence 
of  other  more  agreeable  diet.  Berries  he  always  swal- 
lowed whole,  grasshoppers,  if  too  large,  were  pounded 
and  broken  on  the  floor,  as  he  held  them  in  his  bill.  To 
manage  the  larger  beetles  was  not  so  easy;  these  he 
struck  repeatedly  against  the  ground,  and  then  turned 
them  from  side  to  side,  by  throwing  them  dexterously  in- 
to the  air,  after  the  manner  of  the  Toucan,  and  the 
insect  was  uniformlv  caught  reversed  as  it  descended, 
with  the  agility  of  a  prartised  cup-and-ball  player.  At 
length,  the  pieces  of  t.e  '  eetle  were  swallowed,  and  he 
remained  still  to  digest  his  morsel,  tasting  it  distinctly, 
soon  after  it  entered  the  stomach,  ae  became  obvious  by 
the  ruminating  motion  of  his  mandibles.  When  the 
soluble  portion  was  taken  up,  large  peJ'ett.  of  the  iu'liges- 
tible  legs,  wings,  and  shells,  as  likewise  tl,-  skins  and 
seeds  of  berries,  were,  in  half  an  hour  or  1  «•■  brought  up 
and  ejected  from  the  mouth  in  the  manner  of  the  Hawks 
and  Owls.  When  other  food  failed,  he  appeared  very  well 
satisfied  with  fresh  minced  meat,  and  drank  water  fre- 
quently, even  during  the  severe  frosts  of  January,  which  he 


*Cissus  kederacm. 


268 


iNSECTlvonoi;s  iiiuns. 


endured  without  much  difficulty  ;  basking,  liowevcr,  liko 
Diogenes,  in  the  feeble  beauis  of  the  sun,  whicli  he  fol- 
lowed round  tiio  rr)oui  of  his  confineniont,  well  satisfied, 
when  no  intruder  or  companion  threw  him  into  tlic  shade  ! 
Some  very  cold  evenings  he  had  the  sagacity  to  retire 
under  t  lie  slielter  of  a  depending  bed-quilt ;  was  very  much 
pleased  with  (he  warmth  and  brilliancy  of  lamp-light,  and 
would  eat  freely  at  any  hour  of  the  night.  Unacrpiaint- 
ed  with  the  deceptive  nature  of  shadows,  he  sometimes 
snatched  at  them  for  the  substances  they  resembled. 
Unlike  the  I'irros,  he  retired  to  rest  without  hiding  his 
head  in  the  wing,  and  was  extremely  watchful,  though  not 
abroad  till  after  sunrise.  His  taciturnity,  and  disincli- 
nation to  friendship  and  familiarity  in  confinement,  were 
striking  traits.  His  restless,  quick,  and  side  glancing 
eye,  enabled  him  to  follow  the  motions  of  his  flying  insect 
prey,  and  to  ascertain  precisely  the  infallii)lc  instant  of 
attack.  He  readily  caught  morsels  of  food  in  his  bill  be- 
fore they  reached  the  ground,  when  thrown  across  the 
room;  and,  on  these  occasions,  seemed  pleased  with 
making  the  necessary  exertion.  He  had  also  a  practice 
of  cautiously  stretching  out  his  neck,  like  a  snake,  and 
peeping  about,  either  to  obtain  sight  of  his  food,  to  watch 
any  approach  of  danger,  or  to  examine  any  thing  that 
appeared  strange.  At  length  we  became  so  well  ac- 
quainted, that  when  very  hungry,  he  would  express  his 
gratitude  on  being  fed,  by  a  shrill  iwittcr,  and  a  lively 
look,  which  was  the  more  remarkable,  as  at  nearly  all 
other  t'mes  he  was  entirely  silent. 

In  a  natural  state  he  takes  his  station  on  the  top  of 
an  apple-tree,  or  a  stake,  or  tall  weed,  ana  betwi.\t  the 
amusement  of  his  squeaking  twitter,  employs  himself  in 
darting  after  his  insect  food.  Occasionally  he  is  seen 
hovering  over  the  field,  with  beating  wing,  almost  like  a 


KINfi-ninD,  OR  TYRANT   FLYCATCHER. 


209 


ing,  however,  lik<? 
3un,  which  he  fol- 
fiit,  well  siUisfiod, 
iiii  into  tiic  sliadc! 
sagacity  to  retire 
iit ;  was  very  much 
of  laiiip-lijfht,  ami 
^ht.  Uiiac(|uaint- 
W8,  he  somolimes 
they  resembled, 
without  hiding  his 
atcliful,  though  not 
•nity,  and  disincli- 
coudneiacnt,  were 
ind  side  glancing 
of  his  flying  insect 
ifallible  instant  of 
food  in  his  hill  he- 
thrown  across  the 
med  pleased  with 
lad  also  a  practice 
like  a  snake,  and 
his  food,  to  watch 
ne  any  thing  that 
icanie  so  well  ac- 
!  would  express  his 
vitter,  and  a  lively 
!,  as  at  nearly  all 

■ition  on  the  top  of 
1,  ana  betwixt  the 
employs  himself  in 
lion  ally  he  is  seen 
ving,  almost  like  a 


Hawk,  surveying  the  ground  or  herbage  for  grasshoppers, 
which  arc  a  favorite  diet.  other  times,  they  may  be 

observed  in  small  companies  Tuckering  over  still  waters  in 
the  same  employment,  the  gratification  of  appetite.  Now 
and  then,  during  the  heat  of  summer,  they  are  seen  to 
dip  and  bathe,  in  the  watery  mirror,  and  with  this  wash- 
ing, drying,  and  pluming,  tliey  appear  to  be  both  gratified 
and  amused.  During  the  .sea.son  of  their  sojourn,  the 
pair  are  often  seen  moving  about  in  company,  with  a 
rapid  quivering  of  the  wings,  and  a  continued  tremulous 
shrieking  twitter.  Thoir  energetic  and  amusing  mo- 
tions are  most  commonly  performed  in  warm  and  fine 
weather,  and  continue,  with  little  interruption,  until  to- 
wards the  close  of  August. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  traits  in  the  character  of 
the  King-bird  is  the  courage  and  affection  which  he  dis- 
plays  for  his  mate  and  young  ,    for  on  his  first  arrival  he 
is  rather  timid,  and   readily  dodges  before  the  Swallow 
and   Purple  Martin.     Indeed  at  this  season   I  have  seen 
the  spotted  Sandpiper*  drive  away  a  pair  of  Kinff-hirds, 
because  they   happened  to  approach  the  premises  of  he'i 
nest.  But  he  now  becomes,  on  this  important  occasion,  so 
tenacious  of  his  rights  as  readily  to  commence  the  attack 
against  all  his  feathered  enemies,  and  he  passes  several 
months  of  the  summer  in  a  scene  of  almost  perpetual  con- 
test, and  not  overrating  his  hostile  powers,  he  generally 
finds  means  to  come  oflT  with  impunity.     Eagles,  Hawks, 
Crows,  Jays,  and  in  short  every    bird  which  excites  his 
suspicion,  by  their  intentional  or  accidental  approach,  are 
attacked  with  skill  and  courage  ;  he  dives  upon  the  heads 
and  backs  of  the  larger  intruders,  who  become  so  annoy- 
ed and   tormented  as  willingly  to  make  a  precipitate  re- 
treat.    He  pursues  his  foes  sometimes  for  a  mile;  and  at 


23* 


*  Totaruu  macularitis. 


270 


INBECTIVOnOIS    IlinDM. 


Icngili,  aswui<;(l  of  coii<iiU!^t,  lie  r.iurns  l<»  h     pn  "linent 
watcli-ifrouiKl,  ngiiiii  (juiverinic  lu»  wings  in  irruu       ion, 
and   rapidly   "tKiriiiir   his   shrill    and    triiimpluiiu   notes. 
lie  is  th(!r<'tori-  llio  I'ricml  ol'  liu-   liirmpr.  us  the  fC'urge 
of  the  |)ill'frers  und  pluiuh'rcis  of  his  it<i|»  iiml  i.im-vnrd. 
But  that  he  iiii;^flit  not  he  perf«.<-tly  luundes>,  Ik;  h:i- 
times  a  i)ropcnsity  for  feeding  on  tlio  vnhiiihlo  tenaiiis 
tho  het'-hivp  :    for  thcsr'  he   watches,  and  cxnltinjity  iwii- 
ters  at  the  prospect  n]'  success,   as    they   \vini{  lii-ir  WST 
eugiigcti    in    husy   eniploynicnt  ;    his  (piick-sightt 
now  follow  thoni,  until  one,   ntore  suitiihle  than  (In    rost, 
becomes   his  I'nvorito  mark.     This   M'lecteil    victim  is  by 
some   fanners    believed   to   bo  a  drone  rather  tlian  the 
atinging  neutral  worker.      The  selective  discernment  ■ 
the  eyes  of  this   bird    has  often   amused   me  ;   berries  oi 
different  kinds,  held   to   my  domestic  King-bird,  howe\cr 
similar,  were   rejected  or  snatched,  as  they  suited  his  in- 
stinct, with  t  le  nicest  discrimination. 

As  the  yon  iif  ac(piire  slreni;tli  for  their  distant  journey, 
they  may  be  c(;n  in  August  and  S(  plember,  assembling 
logether  in  a"'  nost  silent,  greedy,  and  watchful  partie.s  of 
,'i  dozen  or  mou,  feeding  on  various  berries,  particularly 
■Jfose  of  the  sassafras  and  cornel,  fiom  whence  they  Mjiiie- 
Jimes  drive  away  s-naller  birds,  and  likewise  spar  and 
chase  each  other  as  the  supply  diminishes.  Indeed,  Jny 
domestic  allowed  no  other  bird  to  live  in  peace  near  him, 
when  feeding  on  similar  food,  and  tiioiiirh  lame  of  a  wing, 
he  often  watchrd  his  opportunity  tor  reprisal  and  revenge, 
and  became  so  jealous,  that  instead  of  being  amused  by 
companions,  sometimes  he  caught  li.-ld  of  them  with  his 
bill,  and  seemed  inclined  to  destroy  tliiiu  for  invading  his 
usurped  ])rivileLres.  In  September  the  King-biid  begins  to 
leave  the  United  States,  and  proceeds  to  pass  the  winter 
in   tropical    America.     During  the  period   of  migration 


I' 


(;ui: 


CHI  •.•'I 


l.Vf^ATCIIKIt. 


<  t(»  I.      pn  niuput 
^H   ill   ^TU'i       ion, 
Lriiitvi|iliant  iiot«!<. 
er.  UM  tli«'  f<ciMirge 
•()|i  1111(1  ii.irn-\  :ir(l. 
lless-,  lie  liiis  ■      1'  - 
•nliiiil'lo  tenauirs 
11(1  <!xiiiling'y  twii- 
■y   wiujjr  tl)"ir  v  nv 
juick-sii^liti 
;il>l(!  tliau  111     i<  .>t, 
fcli'il    victim  is  by 
e  riither  tlinn  tlio 
ive  (lisceriiincnl  < 
sctl  ino  ;   lurries  ot 
\iiijj;-l>ir<l,  iiowevcr 
they  suitoil  liis  in- 

v'n  (Hf^taiit  journoy, 
L'liibt'r,  asst'iiililiiig 
watchful  i)artit;s  of 
lerrics,  particularly 
wlu'iicc  tlicy  --oiiic- 
likfuisc  ^'par  ami 
slios.  liidecd,  my 
in  poare  near  him, 
mil  lame  of  a  wing, 
•pri.-ial  and  revenge, 
if  lieini;  amused  by 
Id  of  them  with  his 
1(111  fur  inv;idiug  his 
Kiiig-biid  begins  to 
s  to  pass  the  winter 
leriod   of  migration 


southwani,  Andii'-on  remarks  ilmt  they  (ly  and  sail 
through  the  air  \m,  ,  great  eu>e,  ..  a  cotisidernbln  elevii- 
tion  ;  and  they  thus  continue  their  silent  retreat  through- 
out the  iii;ilii,  Mitil  ah'  it  l'  c  first  of  October,  when  they 
arc  no  iiiger  to  bo  seen  wjihia  the  limits  of  th<  Middl. 
States. 

The  !•       'binl   (nill.-.j   nigo   Fielil  Murtlii  in    M  n  n.i     'i» 

Southfrii    Mi.'H)  Isiilii.iit  HiiicliHsin  Icuirth,  iiml  |.|  n,  ;,|iir   e.\|.    ,1 
Thr  if.Mi.    il  color  above  18  a   ilark  uhIi  color   iip|iroa<'liins(  f"   li!      t 
I'he  hiMiliiiui  tail  are  m-arly  black,  the  latter  tipt  wil'    u 
wlnjfs  hiivi-  soiiiotlilii{^  uf  II  browniiih  uiulter  onHt.     I'iumi-  , 
bivast  t'mired  willi  axli,  the  rest  of  the  lower  [iiirls  are  pn 
Tlieplumiijje  of  ilie  ci.wn,  lliouirli  evi-u  when  the  liiril  is  ,, 

be, at  eiH.erecteil.  sous  tot'oriii  a  ronirji  crest  ;  below  the  lil  .ice 

of  which  U  «**n  a  bed  of  scarlet  iaolinini?  to  ornnije,  siirroiii,  u-d  and 
baaed  often  with  white  ;  this  roiiMlituteH  the  crown  of  our  feathered 
monarch  The  bill  U  very  broad  nl  tlie  base,  and  blacli,  Tlie  lejjH  and 
lett    are   M-u,  Tlie  iris  jia/.el.     TIk?  yoimc,' bird.'*  receive  the 

orange  on  tli.  '  •■  first  seaMOii. 


GRIIAT  CRESTED  FLYCATCIFEIl. 

(Miiscicdjia  rniiita,  L.   Wilson,  ii,  p.  75.  pi.  13.  fig.  •^.     I'hilad.  Mu- 
seum, No.  tll!'15.) 

Si>.  CiiAit\(  r.  —  Grcnish-olivo  ;    throat   pale    ash;    belly    yellow; 
wiii'^-  iind  tail  iV-athers  ferrucfinous  on  the  inner  webs. 

Tins  species,  nearly  unknown  in  New  EnoJand,  arrives 
in  Pennsylvania  early  in  May,  and  builds  liis  nost  in  the 
deserted  holes  of  the  Woodpecker  or  Blue-bird.  He  also 
freciueiits  the  orchard,  and  is  cfiually  fond  of  Ik-es  with  the 
King-biril.  lie  has  no  other  note  than  a  Inrsli  squeak, 
which  sounds  like  'pniip,  'paip  or  pai/ii/j  /xii/irip,  with 
a  strong  accent  on  tiie  tirst  syllable.  H  ,.reys  actively  on 
insects  which   he  collects  from  his  stand ;  and,  in  short, 


272 


INHeCTIVOROrS  BIRD^. 


has  moHt  of  the  manners  and  phyHiognomy  of  the  whole 
section  or  family  to  whicli  he  l)<long«.  The  nest  l)cing 
rormcd  in  tlic  hollow  of  a  tree,  the  materials  are  conse- 
quently scant,  l)iit  sonirwliat  novel ;  bcin>;,  nccordinir  to 
Catcsl)y  and  Wilson,  a  little  loose  hay,  and  large  feathers, 
with  hojjs'  hristlf.i,  doirs'  ii.iir,  and  pieces  of  cast  snake- 
skins,  the  hist  of  which,  though  an  extraordinary  mate- 
rial, is  rarely  wanting,  its  elastic  softnc--  forming  a  suita- 
ble bed  for  the  young.  The  eggs  art?  said  to  be  4,  of  a 
dull  white,  thickly  marke<l  with  scratches  and  purple 
lines  of  various  tints,  ns  if  laid  on  with  a  pen.  The  note 
of  the  male  apix'iirs  often  delivered  in  anger  and  impa- 
tience, and  he  d(-fends  his  retreat  from  the  access  of  all 
other  birds  with  the  tyrannic  insolence,  characteristic  of 
the  King-bird. 

Towards  the  end  of  iimmer  they  feed  on  berries  of 
various  kinds,  being  particularly  partial  to  whf)rtle-l)errio8, 
which,  for  a  time,  seem  to  constitute  the  princii)al  food  of 
the  young.  They  remain  in  FiMinsylvania  till  about  the 
middle  of  September,  when  they  retire  to  tropical  Ameri- 
ca. In  Jidy,  IHUl,  I  ob.served  a  pair  in  an  orchard  at 
Acton,  in  this  State  (Mass.)  'I  hey  had  reared  a  brood  in 
the  vicinity,  and  still  appeared  very  stationary  on  the 
premises;  their  harsh  'pai/np,  .md  sometimes  a  slender 
twittering  as  they  took  the  perch,  were  heard  almost 
from  morn  to  night,  and  resembled  at  first  the  chirp  of  a 
young  Robin.  They  fed  on  the  caterpillars  or  vermin 
of  some  kind  which  happened  to  infest  the  apple-trees. 
I  was  told  that  it  uttered  a  different  and  more  musical 
note  about  sunrise,  but  of  this  I  cannot  speak  from  my 
own  knowledge.  They  are  unknown  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  sea-coast  of  Massachusetts. 

This  species  is  8^  inches  long,  and  13  in  alar  extent.    Above,  the 
color  is  dull  greenish  olive ;  the  feathers  of  the  head  pointed,  and 


IW-.^l 


loniy  of  the  whole 
The  nest  being 
atcrials  are  conne- 
bcinj;,  according  to 
ami  liirgo  fentheri!, 
3C()H  of  cnst  saaite- 
xtriiordinary  mate- 
t'ss  forming  a  Huita- 
■  naid  to  l)c  4,  of  a 
atches  and  piirplr 
1  a  pnn.  The  note 
ill  anirc^r  and  impa- 
m  tho  rtrcoss  of  ail 
0,  characteristic  of 

feed  on  berries  of 
I  to  wiiortle-berries, 
lie  principal  food  of 
lania  till  abont  the 
!  to  tropical  Ameri- 

in  an  orchard  at 
,d  reared  a  brood  in 

stationary  on  the 
onictimcs  a  slender 
verc  heard  almost 
first  the  chirp  of  a 
'rpiliars  or  vermin 
fest  the  apple-trees. 

and  more  musical 
inot  speak  from  my 
1  in  the  vicinity  of 


lar  extent.    Above,  th« 
'  tlie  head  pointed,  and 


-SlflW't- 


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microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Mlcroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreprod-jctions  historiques 


AHKANSA    FLYCATCHER. 


273 


centred  witli  dark  brown,  the  whole  forming  a  sort  of  spreading  cap 
or  crest.  Wing-coverts  crossed  with  two  irregular  bars  of  yellowish 
white.  Primaries  bright  ferruginous.  Tail  sliglitly  forked.  Bill, 
legs,  and  feet  greyish  black.  Iris  hazel.  The  female  is  scarcely  di8- 
tinguisliable  from  the  male. 


ARKANSA  FLYCATCHER. 

(Muscicapa  rerticalis,  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  18.  pi.  2.  fig.  2.     Ty- 
raniius  vertkalis,  Say.     Philad.  Museum,  No.  0024.) 

Sp.  CiiABAt  t.  —  Head  and  throat  ash  ;  a  small  orange  spot  on  th« 
crown  ;  belly  yellow ;  tail  blackish,  the  exterior  feather  white  on 
the  outer  web. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Say,  the  well  known  natural- 
ist, for  the  discovery  of  this  recently  known  species  of 
Flycatcher,  which  appears  to  inhabit  all  the  region  west 
of  the  Missouri  river.  The  specimen  obtained,  in  the 
beginning  of  July,  near  the  banks  of  the  river  Platte, 
and  only  a  few  days'  inarch  from  the  Rocky  mountains, 
was  a  male. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  8  inches.  The  head  above,  and  hind- 
head  are  pale  lead-color.  Beneath  the  surface  of  the  crown  there  is 
a  small  bright  orange  spot,  also  a  dusky  space  between  the  bill  and 
eyes.  The  lead-color  of  the  back  is  tinged  with  olive,  the  rump  and 
upper  tail  coverts  approaching  to  blackish.  Throat  and  upper  part 
of  the  breast  very  pale  plumbeous,  beyond  which  all  the  under  parts 
are  yellow.  The  wings  umber  brown  ;  the  1st  primary  very  narrow. 
Tail  deep  brown-black,  very  slightly  forked ;  the  exterior  feather  is 
wliite  on  the  outer  web.  It  io  allied  to  the  Muscicapa  ferox  of  South 
America, 


i.i- 


■t 


J74  INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


FORK-TAILED  FLYCATCHER. 

(Muscicapa  savana,  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  1-  pL  1-  %•  !•    ^  'y^""" 
niw,  Lin.    Philad.  Museum,  No.  6C20.) 

Sp.Charact.- Cinereous;    head  black;    -^  f»»l'°"^«P°'  "",  '*;" 
crown;  beneath  white ;  tail  10  inches  long,  extremely  forked  and 

black. 

This  splendid  bird  is  a  resident  in  the  tropical  wilds 
of  Guiana,  where  it  is  said  to  be  common,  and  was  found 
also  by  Commerson  near  the  banks  of  La  Plata  and  in 
the  woods  of  Monte  Video.  Tt  is  only  a  straggler  in  the 
United  States,  from  one  of  which  accidental  visitors, 
near  Bridgetown  in  New  Jersey,  in  the  first  week  m 
December,  was  made  the  splendid  engraving  which  ac- 
companies the  account  of  this  bird  in  Prince  Bonaparte  s 

Ornithology.  . 

In  its  habits  it  resemblea  the  other  native  species  ot 
the  genus,  is  a  solitary  bird,  remaining  for  a  long  time 
perched  on  the  limb  of  a  tree,  from  whence  it  occasion- 
ally darts  after  passing  insects,  or  flying  downwards  it 
alights  on  the  tufted  herbage  arising  above  the  partially 
drowned  savannas,  beyond  whose  limHs  this  sedentary 
species  but  seldom  strays.  While  seaterl,  ias  long  train  is 
in  motion  like  that  of  the  Wagtail.  Besides  insects,  like 
our  King-bird,  he  feeds  on  berries,  and  this  individuaj 
had  his  stomach  distended  with  those  of  the  Poke  plant. 
South  America  affords  two  other  species  resembling  the 
present,  and  equally  remarkable  for  the  singular  length 
and  forking  of  the  tail-feathers. 

The  length  of  the  Fork-tailed  Flycatcher  is  14  inches,  its  tail 
alone  measuring  nearly  10.  The  alar  exte.it  is  also  14  inches.  The 
upper  part  of  tho  bead  and  cheeks  is  deep  black.    The  feathers  of 


*  Paptolocea  deeandra.  L. 


if'} 


i. 


rCHER. 

pi.  l.fig.  1.     M.tffran- 
lo.  6G20.) 

.  fulvouH   spot  on   the 
,  extremely  forked  and 

the  tropical  wilds 
non,  and  was  found 
of  La  Plata  and  in 
y  a  straggler  in  the 

accidental  visitors, 
n  the  first  week  in 
engraving  which  ac- 
i  Prince  Bonaparte's 

ler  native  species  of 
ling  for  a  long  time 

whence  it  occasion- 
lying  downwards,  it 

above  the  partially 
imits  this  sedentary 
itetl.  iiis  long  train  is 

Besides  insects,  like 

and  this  individual 
e  of  the  Poke  plant.* 
scies  resembling  the 

the  singular  length 

iher  is  14  inches,  its  tail 
ut  is  also  14  inches.  The 
(black.    The  feathers  of 


SWALLOW-TAILED  FLYCATCHER. 


97fi 


the  crown  are  somewhat  slender,  elevated,  of  a  yellow-orange,  form> 
ing  a  brilliant  spot,  only  visible,  however,  when  tlie  crt'stcd  cap  is 
elevated;  the  remaining  part  of  the  neck  and  back  are  gn-yish-ash ; 
the  rump  is  darker,  and  gradually  passes  into  the  black  of  tlie  supe- 
rior tail-coverts.  Beneath  white.  Wings  dusky;  the  Ist  primary 
edged  with  whitish  on  the  outer  v.eb,  and  equal  in  length  to  the 
4th ;  the  2d  longest ;  the  3  outer  have  a  deep  sinus  on  their  inner 
webs  near  the  tip,  so  as  to  terminate  in  a  slender  process.  The  tail 
is  black  and  very  deeply  and  widely  forked ;  the  2  exterior  feathers 
10  inches,  the  2  next  succeeding  only  5,  and  the  other  feathers  be- 
come gradually  and  proportionally  sliorter,  until  tliose  in  the  middle 
are  scarcely  2  inches  in  length;  the  long  exterior  tail-feather  is 
white  on  the  remarkably  narrow  outer  web,  and  on  the  shaft  beneath 
for  nearly  }  of  ite  length. 


SWALLOW-TAILED  FLYCATCHER. 

(Musckapaforficata,  Gm.  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  15.  pi.    J.  fig.  I. 
Philad.  Museum,  No.  CC23.) 

Sp.  Charact.— Light  cinereous;  beneath  white;  axillary  feathers 
Ecarlet ;  tail  greatly  elongated,  deeply  forked,  black,  the  outer 
featliers  chiefly  rosaceous 

This  very  beautiful  and  singular  species  of  Fly-catcher 
is  confined  wholly  to  the  open  plains  and  scanty  forests 
of  the  remote  southwestern  regions  beyond  the  Missis- 
sippi, where  they,  in  all  probability,  extend  their  resi- 
dence to  the  high  plains  of  Mexico.  I  found  these  birds 
rather  common  near  the  banks  of  Red  River,  about  the 
confluence  of  the  Kiamesha.  I  again  saw  them  more 
abundant,  near  the  Great  Salt  River  of  the  Arkansa  in 
the  month  of  August,  when  the  young  and  old  appeared, 
like  our  King-birds,  assembling  together  previously  to  their 
departure  for  the  south.  They  alighted  repeatedly  on 
the  tall  plants  of  the  prairie,  and  were  probably  preying 
upon   the  grasshoppers,  which  were  now  abundant.     At 


376 


INSECTIVOROUS    UIIlDa. 


this  time  also  they  were  wholly  silent,  and  flitted  before 
our  path  with  suspicion  and  timidity.  A  week  or  two 
after  we  saw  them  no  more,  having  retired  probably  to 
tropical  winter  quarters. 

In  the  montli  of  May,  a  pair,  which  I  daily  saw  for 
three  or  four  weeks,  had  made  a  nest  on  the  horizontal 
branch  of  an  Elm,  probably  12  or  more  feet  from  the 
ground.  I  did  not  examine  it  very  near,  but  it  ap- 
peared externally  composed  of  coarse  dry  grass.  The  fe- 
male, when  first  seen,  was  engaged  in  sitting,  and  her 
mate  wildly  attacked  every  bird  which  approached  their 
residence.  This  harsh  chirping  note  of  the  male,  kept  up 
at  intervals,  as  remarked  by  Mr.  Say,  almost  resembled 
the  barking  of  the  Prairie  Marmot,  'fsh  'ish  'ts/i.  His 
flowing,  kite-like  tail,  spread  or  contracted  at  will  while 
flying,  is  a  singular  trait  in  his  plumage,  and  render- 
ed him  conspicuously  beautiful  to  the  most  careless  ob- 
server. 

This  fine  bird  is  about  11  inches  in  length.  The  upper  part  of  the 
head  and  neck  is  light  grey  ;  back  and  scapulars  dark  cinereous, 
tinged  with  reddish-brown  ;  the  rump  of  the  same  color  l)ut  inclined 
to  black,  upper  tail-coverts  deep  black.  Beneath  milk  white,  the 
flanks  tinifed  with  red;  the  inferior  tail-coverts  pale  rosaceous. 
Wings  brownish  black,  the  upper  coverts  and  secondaries  margined 
externally  and  at  tip  with  dull  whitish  ;  under  wing-coverts  white, 
tinged  with  rose;  axillary  feathers  above  and  beneath  of  a  vivid 
scarlet.  The  tail  very  long  and  deeply  forked,  of  a  perfect  black, 
each  feather  witli  its  terminal  margin  of:  ilull  whitish  tint;  the  3 
exterior  feiithers  on  eacli  side  are  of  a  pale  rosaceous  color,  on  a  con- 
siderable part  of  their  length  from  their  bases ;  the  external  one  is 
54  inclies  long,  the  2d  and  3d  decrease  gradually,  but  tlie  4th  is  dis- 
proportionately shorter  ;  from  this  feather  there  is  a  gradual  decrease 
to  the  ()th,  which  is  little  more  than  2  inches  long.  BjU  and  feet 
blackish.     Irids  brown.     Female  nearly  similar  to  the  male. 


and   flitted  before 

A  week  or  two 

etirod  probably  to 

h  I  daily  saw   for 

on  the  horizontal 
ore   feet   from  the 

near,  but  it  ap- 
Iry  grass.  The  fe- 
n  sittinjf,    and  her 

approacbt'<l  their 
'  the  male,  kept  up 

almost  resembled 
fsh  'tah  'fsfi.  Ilis 
icted  at  will  while 
nage,  and  render- 
most  careless  ob- 


The  upper  part  of  the 
Hilars  dark  cinereous, 
Luie  color  but  inclined 
leath  milk  white,  the 
verta  pale  rosttceous. 
secondaries  margined 
r  wing-coverts  white, 
d  beneath  of  a  vivid 
ad,  of  a  perfect  black, 
II  whitish  tint ;  the  3 
ceous  color,  on  a  con- 
8 ;  the  external  one  is 
illy,  but  the  4th  is  dis- 
?  is  a  gradual  decrease 
long.  BjU  and  feet 
r  to  the  male. 


BAv'a    FLYCATCHER. 


277 


*  "  SmfiUer  species  (or  ordinary  MrsciPET^E.) 
These  hardly  require  separation  from  the  former  division,   with 
which  they   agree  in   every  thing  but  size. 


SAY'S  FLYC(?.TCIIER. 

(Muscicapa  Saya,   Bonap.  i.  p.  20.  pi.  2.  fig.  3.     Philad.  Museum, 

No.  C831.) 

Sp.  CttAnACT.  —  Dull  cinnamon-brown  ;  belly  pale  rufous ;  tail  near- 
ly even ;  the  Ist  primary  longer  than  tlie  (Jtii. 

This  species  was  obtained  by  Mr.  T.  Peale,  one  of 
the  naturalists  who  accompanied  Major  Long's  expedition 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  Arkansas  River,  and  about  20  miles 
from  the  Rocky  Mountain.^.  Prince  Bonaparte  imagines 
it  may  be  a  tropical  American  species,  indicated  under 
the  inadmissible  name  o{  3f.  obsaira  by  Veillot. 

This  Flycatcher  strongly  re.sembles  the  Common  Pe- 
wee  (M.fiisca.),  having  even  the  same  note,  but  deliver- 
ed in  a  different  and  distinguishing  tone.  Its  nest,  found 
in  July,  was  built  in  a  tree,  and  consisted  chiefly  of  mosa 
and  clay,  interwoven  with  a  few  blades  of  dried  grass. 
The  young  were  just  ready  to  fly. 

The  length  of  Say's  Fly-catcher  is  7  inches.  Above,  dull  cinnamon- 
brown,  becoming  darker  on  the  head.  Beneath,  throat,  and  breast 
of  the  same  dull  cinnamon  tint,  gradually  passing  into  the  pale  ru- 
fous of  the  abdomen  ;  the  under  wing-coverts  white,  slightly  tinged 
with  rufous.  The  primaries  dusky,  tinged  with  cinnamon  ;  the  1st 
a  quarter  of  an  inch  shorter  than  the  2d,  which  is  nearly  us  long  as 
the  3d ;  the  3d  longest;  the  4tli  and  .■.th  gradually  decrease,  and  "the 
6th  is  shorter  than  the  Ist.  The  tail  is  scarcely  notched  and  black- 
ish-brown. The  bill  is  remarkably  flattened,  the  upper  mandible 
blackish,  the  lower  pale  horn-color  below.  The  feet  are  also  black- 
ish  ;  and  the  irids  brown. 
24 


jipi 


^       PEWIT  FLYCATCHER,  or  PHCEBE. 

(Muscieapa  atra  Gm.  M.  Pliiehc,  Lath.  M.funai.  Bokap.  M.  mrndola, 

Wii.soN,  ii.  p.  78.  pi.  13.  iig.  4.   Phil.  Museum,  No.  CtilS.) 
Sr.  CiiARACT.  — Dark   olive-brown,   diirker  on  the  head;  beneath 

pale  yellowish;    bill  black;  tuil  enmrginate,  extending  an  inch 

anda  hiilf  beyond  the  closed  wings;  the  exterior  feather  whitish 

on  the  outer  web. 

Tins  familiar  species  inhabits  the  continent  of  North 
America,  from  Canada  to  Florida,  retiring  from  the 
Northern  and  Middle  States  at  tlie  approach  of  winter. 
How  far  they  proceed  to  the  south  at  this  season  is  not 
satisfactorily  ascertained  ;  a  few,  no  doubt,  winter  in  the 
milder  parts  of  the  Union,  as  Wilson  saw  them  in  Februa- 
ry in  the  swamps  of  North  and  South  Carolina,  where  they 
were  feeding  on  smilax  berries,  and  occasionally  even 
giving  their  well  known  notes ;  but  in  the  winter,  and 
early  spring  of  1830,  while  employed  in  an  extensive 
pedestrian  journey  from  South  Carolina  to  Florida  and 


^Tl>     ■        II"': 


PEWIT    nVCATCIlEn,    OR   PIKEBB. 


279 


PHCEBE. 

ft.  BoHAP.  M.  nvnciola, 
iseum,  No.  fitilS.) 
m  the  head;  beneath 
ite,  extending  an  inch 
xterior  feather  whitish 

loiitinent  of  North 
retiring  from  the 
pproach  of  winter. 
L  tliis  season  is  not 
loubt,  winter  in  the 
ivv  tliem  in  Februa- 
iarolina,  where  tliey 
occasionally  even 
in  the  winter,  and 
ed  in  an  extensive 
lina  to  Florida  and 


Alabama,  I  never  heard  or   met  with  an  individual  of  the 
species. 

This  faithful  messenger  of  spring  returns  to  Pennsylva- 
nia as  early  as  the  first  week  in  March,  remains  till 
October,  and  .sometimes  nearly  to  the  middle  of  Novem- 
ber. In  Masachusetts,  they  arrive  about  the  beginning 
of  April,  and  at  fir.st  chiefly  frequent  the  woods. 

Their  favorite  resort  is  near  streams,  ponds,  or  .stag- 
nant waters,  about  bridges,  caves,  and  barns,  where  they 
choose  to  brood  ;  and,  in  short,  wherever  there  is  a  good 
pro.spoct  for  obtaining  their  insect  food.  Near  such 
places  our  little  hunter  sits  on  tlie  roof  of  some  out-build- 
ing, on  a  stake  of  the  fence,  or  a  projecting  branch,  call- 
ing out,  at  short  intervals,  and  in  a  rapid  manner  phebi 
phihh,  and  at  times  in  a  more  plaintive  tone  pka-h^-ec- 
This  quaint  and  querulous  note,  occasionally  approaching 
to  a  warble,  sometimes  also  sounds  like  pvwait  pewait, 
and  thenjje-wni-ee,  aho,  p/tehi  phe-bei-ce,  twice  alternat^, 
the  latter  phrase  .somewhat  soft  and  twittering.  In  the 
spring  this  not  unpleasing  guttural  warble  is  kept  up  for 
hours  together,  until  late  in  the  morning,  and  though  not 
loud,  may  be  heard  to  a  considerable  distance.  From  a 
roof  I  have  heard  these  notes  full  half  a  mile  across  the 
water  of  a  small  lake  ;  and  this  cheerful,  though  monoto- 
nous ditty,  is  only  interrupted  for  a  few  seconds,  as  the 
performer  darts  and  sweeps  after  his  retreating  prey  of 
flies,  frequently  flirting  and  quivering  his  tail  and  ele- 
vating his  feathery  cap,  while  sharply  watching  the  mo- 
tions of  his  fickle  game. 

In  the  Middle  States  he  begins  to  construct  his  nest 
about  the  latter  end  of  March,  in  Massachusetts  not  be- 
fore the  first  week  in  April.  The  nest  is  situated  under 
a  bridge,  in  a  cave,  the  sides  of  a  well  5  or  (J  feet  down, 
under  a  shed,  or  in  the  shelter  of  the  low  eaves  of  a  cot- 


980 


INRECTIVOROUB    UlltUf). 


tagc,  and  even  in  un  empty  kitchen;  sometimes  it  rests 
on  a  beam,  though  it  is  frequently  attached  to  the  wide  of 
a  piece  of  rooting  timber  in  the  manner  of  the  Swallow. 
The  outside  is  gonernlly  inadoof  a  mixture  of  moss  {Ifijp- 
num)  and  clay,  and  formed  with  considerable  solidity  ; 
inside  it  is  lined  with  flaxy  fibres,  films  of  bark,  wool,  horse- 
hair, or  only  with  dry  grass.  The  nest  is  also  sometimes 
made  merely  of  mud,  root-fibres,  and  withered  grass. 
The  eggs  are  about  5,  pure  white,  without  any  spots. 

According  to  the  touching  relation  of  Wilson,  this 
humble  and  inoffensive  bird,  forms  conjugal  attachments, 
which  i)rol)ably  continue  through  life ;  for,  like  the  faith- 
ful Blue-birds,  a  pair  continued  for  several  years  to  fre- 
quent and  build  in  a  romantic  cave,  in  the  forest  which 
made  part  of  the  estate  of  the  venerable  naturalist,  Wil- 
liam IJartram.  Here  our  unfortunate  birds  had  again  taken 
up  their  welcome  lease  for  the  summer,  again  chanted 
fofth  their  simple  lay  of  affection,  and  cheered  my  aged 
friend  with  the  certain  news  of  spring ;  when  unexpect- 
edly a  party  of  idle  boys,  one  fatal  Saturday,  destroyed 
with  the  gun  the  parents  of  this  old  and  peaceful  settle- 
ment ;  and  from  that  time  forward  no  other  pair  were 
ever  seen  around  this  once  happy,  now  desolate  spot. 

Their  attachment  to  particular  places  is  indeed  re- 
markable. About  the  middle  of  April,  1831,  at  the  Fresh 
Pond  Hotel,  in  this  vicinity,  3  different  nests  were  begun 
in  the  public  boat-house,  which  may  be  here  considered 
almost  as  a  thoroughfare  ;  only  one  nest,  however,  was 
completed  :  and  we  could  not  help  admiring  the  courage 
and  devotedness  with  which  the  parents  fed  their  young, 
and  took  their  alternate  station  by  the  side  of  the  nest, 
undaunted  in  our  presence,  only  now  and  then  uttering 
a  'tship  when  observed  too  narrowly.  Some  ruffian  at 
length  tore  down  the  nest,  and  carried  off  the  brood,  but 


%^ 


PEWIT  rLVrATClIKR,  OR  fliaUIF.. 


281 


metimcs  it  rests 
led  to  the  Hide  of 
of  the  Swallow, 
re  of  moss  (Ifi/p- 
lerable  solidity  ; 
)ark,  wool,  horse- 
s  also  sometimes 
withered  grass. 
>ut  any  spots, 
of  Wilson,  this 
igal  nttacliiiients, 
or,  like  the  faith- 
iral  years  to  fre- 
the  forest  which 
c  naturalist,  Wil- 
shad  iiguiu  taken 
r,  again  chanted 
cheeret'  my  aged 
when  unexpect- 
urdai/,  destroyed 
d  peaceful  settle- 
other  pair   were 
desolate  spot, 
les  is  indeed  re- 
831,  at  the  Fresh 
nests  were  begun 
3  here  considered 
Bst,  however,  was 
iring  the  courage 
j  fed  their  young, 
side  of  the  nest, 
and  then  uttering 
Some  ruffian  at 
off  the  brood,  but 


our  Phebes  immediately  commenced  a  new  fabric,  and 
laid  5  additional  eggs  in  the  same  place  with  the  first; 
and,  in  haste  to  finish  their  habitation,  they  had  lined  it 
with  the  silvery  shreds  of  a  Manilla  rope,  which  they 
had  discovered  in  the  contiguous  loll  over  the  boat- 
house.  For  several  previous  seasons  they  had  taken  up 
their  abode  in  this  vicinity,  and  seemed  unwilling  to  re- 
move from  the  neighbourhood  they  had  once  chosen  in 
spite  of  the  most  untoward  circumstances. 

Towards  the  time   of  their   departure  for    the   south, 
which  is  about  the  middle  of  ()ctoi)cr,  they  are  silent,  and 
previously  utter  their  notes  more  seldom,  as  if  mourning 
the  decay  of  nature,    and   .nticipating  the  approaching 
famine  which  now  urges  their  migration.     In  Massachu- 
setts the  Phebe  rarely  raises  more  than  a  single  brood  in 
the   season,  unless,  as  in  the  instance  related,  they  have 
had  the  misfortune   to  lose  the  first  hatch.     The  young, 
dispersed  through  the  woods  in  small  numbers,  may  now 
and  then  be  heard  to  the  close  of  September,  exercising 
their  feeble  voices  in  a  guttural  phebe.    But  the  old  birds 
are  almost  wholly  silent,  or  but  little  heard,  as  they  flit  tim- 
idly through  ihe  woods,  when  once  released  from  the  cares 
of  rearing  their  infant  brood ;  so  that  here  the  Phebe's 
note  is  almost  a  concomitant  of  spring  and  the  mildest 
opening  of  summer  ;  it  is,  indeed,  much  more  vigorous  in 
April  and  May  than  at  any  succeeding  period. 

The  Pewee  is  7  inclies  in  length,  and  !»4  in  alar  extent.  Above 
dark  dusky  olive ;  the  head  brownish  blacl-  vith  an  erectile  crested 
cap,  like  all  the  rest  of  this  North  Aineric  inily  of  Klycatcliera, 

with  Ihe  exception  of  the  Redstart  (M.  rUidtla).  Winsjs  and  tail 
dusky,  approachin?  to  black,  the  former  edged  on  every  feather  with 
yollowish  white,  the  latter  forked.  Below  pale  whitish  yellow,  bright- 
er on  the  abdomen.  Legs  and  bill  wltolly  black.  Iris  hazel.  The 
sexes  almost  entirely  similar. 

a4» 


i'.       ♦; 


283 


INDECTIVOROUS  UIRDB, 


OLIVE-SIDKO  FLYCATCHER,  or  *  Pfi-PE.' 

(Muacicapa  '  Cwrperi,  M.  iiiiirnata,  NoBH,  Nttt.  8oi.  I'lulad.  et  D. 
CoopKRin  litt.) 

Bf.  CiiAiiArT.— Dtmky-brown,  lieiul  diirker,  without  iliiicolored 
Bjiot ;  Hiili'H  (ilivi'-|{rfy ;  lutirnl  hiiiki^  beiicnth  tin-  wing  white  ; 
lower  iiiuiitlil>le  purpliBii  horn-coh)r  ;  tail  nt-iirly  nveii,  nnd  extend- 
iiijr  Imt  little  lieyoiid  the  r.loKed  wings  ;  2d  |iriiimry  longeHt. 

TiiiH  uiKJoscrilu'd  spocicH,  which  appertains  to  the;  group 
of  PfwecH,  was  obtainod  in  the  woocIh  of  Sweet  Auburn, 
in  this  vicinity,  l>y  Mr.  John  Bothune,  of  Cambridge,  on  the 
7th  of  June,  IKW.    Tiiis,  and  a  second  specimen,  ac(iuirod 
soon  afterwards,  were  females  on  tiie  point  of  incniintion. 
A  third  individual  of  the  same  sex  was  killed  on  the  Slst 
of  June,  1H:)I.    Tiiey  were  all  of  iheni  fat,  and  had  their 
Btomaclis  filled  with  torn  fragments  of  wild   bees,  wasps, 
and  other  similar    insects.    I  have  watched  the  motions 
of  two  other  living  individuals,   who  appeared  tyrannical 
and  quarrcl.xonie  even  with  each   other ;  the  attack  was 
always  accompanied  witii  a  whirring,  querulous  twitter. 
Their  dispute  was  a|)parently,  like  that  of  savages,  about 
the  rights  of  their  respective  hunting-grounds.     One  of 
the  birds,  the  female,  whom  I  usually  saw  alone,  was  un- 
conunonly  sedentary.    Tiie  territory    she  seemed   deter- 
mined   to   claim    was   circumscribed    by  the    tops  of  a 
cluster  of  tall  Virginia  junipers  or  red  cedars,   and  an 
adjoining    elm,    and    decayed    cherry    tree.     From   this 
sovereign  station,  in  the  solitude  of  a   barren  and  sandy 
piece  of  forest,  adjoining  Sweet  Auburn,  she  kept  a  sljarp 
lookout   for    passing    insects,    and    pursued   them    with 
great  vigor  and   success  as  soon  as  they  appeared,  some- 
times  chasing   them    to    the  ground,  and  generally   re- 
suming her  perch  with  an  additional  mouthful,  which  she 
swallowed   at  leisure.      On  descending   to  her  station, 
the  occasionally  quivered  her  wings  and  tail,  erected  her 


L 


1 


^^mM^^^- 


OMVE-BIDED  FLVCATCIIER,  OR  'I'E-PE.' 


283 


on  '  Pfi-PE.' 

6ei.  I'hilaU.  et  D. 

witlioiit  iliiici)lored 
111  llic  winjf  wliite  ; 
rly  oven,  and  extend- 
riiiinry  lon}(e»t. 

rtiiiiisto  tilt- group 
)f  Sweet  Auburn, 
[Jambriclge.ou  tlic 
)cciriK'ii,  ac(iiiirrii 
)iiif  (if  iiKulmtioii. 
killcMl  on  tho  Slst 
fat,  and  had  their 
wM  bees,  wasps, 
chcd  the  motions 
ipcared  tyrannical 

;  the  attack  was 
(lueruloiiH  twitter. 

of  savages,  about 
grounds.  One  of 
aw  alone,  was  un- 
be  seemed  deter- 
by  the  tops  of  a 
id  cedars,   and  an 

tree.  From  this 
barren  and  sandy 
n,  she  kept  a  sljarp 
irsucd  them  with 
y  appeared,  some- 
and  generally  re- 
outhful,  which  she 
ig  to  her  station, 
id  tail,  erected  her 


bJowny  ra|>,  and  kept  up  u  whintiing,  oft  repented,  whining 
call  of  'pa  jju,  then  varied  to  >u  'pip,  nnd  'pip  pit,  also 
at  times  '/"/'  >>/>  >«,  '/''/'  7'^/'  'I'^r,  >«  '/'"/''/',  or  'lii  'tu 
'tit,  and  'tu  'lit.  This  slirill,  pensive,  nnd  quick  whistle 
Hometinies  dropped  almost  to  u  whisper,  or  merely  'pit. 
The  tono  wa-  in  fact  much  like  that  of  the  'pkit  'phu  'phU 
of  the  Fish  Hawk.  The  male,  however,  besides  this  note, 
at  long  intervals,  had  a  call  of  'rh'phibee,  or  'h'phebed, 
almost  exactly  in  the  tone  of  the  circular  tin  whistle,  or 
bird-call,  being  loud,  shrill,  and  guttural  at  the  commence- 
ment. The  nest  of  this  pair  I  at  length  discovered,  in  the 
horizontal  branch  of  a  tall  red  cedar  Ui  or  50  feet  from 
the  ground.  It  was  formed  much  in  the  manner  of  the 
King-bird,  externally  made  of  interlaced  dead  twigs  of 
the  cedar,  internully  of  the  wiry  stolons  of  the  connnon 
cimpjcfoil,  dry  grass,  nnd  some  fragments  of  branching 
Lirhrn  or  Usnia.  It  contained  3  young,  and  had  prob- 
ably 4  eggs.  The  eggs  had  been  hatched  about  the  2()th 
of  June,  so  that  the  pair  had  arrived  in  this  vicinity  about 
the  close  of  May. 

The  young  remained  in  the  nest  no  less  than  23 
days,  nnd  were  fed  from  the  first  on  beetles  and  per- 
fect insects,  which  appeared  to  have  been  wholly  (Mgest- 
ed  without  any  regurgitation.  Towards  the  close  o'.'  ihii 
protracted  period  the  young  could  fly  with  all  the  celerity 
of  the  parents  ;  and  they  probably  went  to  and  from  the 
nest  repeatedly  before  abandoning  it.  The  male  was  at 
this  time  extremely  watchful,  and  frequently  followed  me 
from  his  usual  residence,  after  my  paying  him  a  visit,  near- 
ly half  a  mile.  These  birds,  which  I  watched  on  several 
successive  days,  were  no  way  timid,  and  allowed  me  for 
some  time,  previous  to  visiting  their  nest,  to  investigate 
them  and  the  premises  they  had  chosen,  without  showing 
any  sign  of  alarm,  or  particular  observation. 


»84 


INSECTIVOUOrS  BIRDS. 


The  Tyran  of  Buffon,  (vol.  v.  pi,  537,)  or  Pe  pe  re,  ap- 
proaches  near  to  this  species  both  in  size  and  color,  but 
is  distinguishable  by  the  bed  of  yellow  on  the  head,  be- 
neath the  surface  of  the  feathers.  The  habits  of  both  are 
very  similar.  The  South  American  birds  live  in  the  soli- 
tude of  the  forest  by  pairs,  nesting  in  hollow  trees,  or  in 
the  bifurcation  of  some  branch,  chanting  forth  their 
quaint  pe  pe  re,  about  the  break  of  day,  which  they  an- 
nounce with  more  precision  even  than  our  domestic  cock. 
They  are  likewise  very  pugnacious  in  defence  of  their 
young.  Muscicapa  barbatn  of  Cayenne,  has  also  some 
affinity  with  our  species,  and  utters  ?i.pepe,  or  somewhat 
similar  note.  (Vol.  v.  p.  277  of  the  same  author.) 

My  friend  W.  Cooper,  Esq.,  so  well  known  for  his  de- 
votion to  Ornithology,  received  this  bird  likewise  the 
preceding  summer  from  tiie  vicinity  of  Cape  May,  and 
Egg-haibour,  in  New  Jersey.  The  supposed  young  bird 
of  the  Crested  Fly-catcher,  cinereous  above  and  white 
on  the  belly,  mentioned  by  Pennant,  might  perhaps 
have  been  Jie  present  species. 

The  length  of  the  Olive-Sided  Pevvee  is  about  C4  to  7  inches. 
Like  the  rest  of  the  family  to  which  it  belongs,  it  has  a  blowsy  cap  or 
crest,  erectile  at  will ;  the  color  of  tliis  part  is  very  dark  l)rown,  but 
with  the  hind-head  inclined  to  dark  ash,  wliich  is  tho  prevailing  color 
of  the  back.  The  wings  and  tail  are  dusky-brown,  without  any  par- 
ticle of  white ;  tl>e  secondaries  and  their  coverts  edged  witii  whitish ; 
the  second  primary  longest  and  the  1st  and  3d  equal.  The  tail 
eraarginate,  extending  only  about  |  of  an  inch  beyond  the  closed 
wings.  Bill  very  broad,  nearly  ^  an  inch ;  rictus  bright  yellow,  as 
well  as  the  inside  of  the  rnouth  and  tongue  ;  the  latter  aomewhat  cor- 
date and  bifid  at  tip ;  the  upper  mandible  distinctly  carinated,  and 
black;  the  lower,  purplish  horn-yellow,  lighter  towards  the  base. 
Chin  white.  The  sides  dusky  olive,  a  broad  line  down  the  raiddl-  of 
the  breast,  with  the  abdomen  and  rump  yellowish  white ;  a  broadish 
white  space  on  the  side,  beueath  the  wing  towards  the  back,  extend- 
ing  almost  to  the  region  of  the  rump.  Legs  and  feet  black.  Irids 
dark  hazel.  This  species,  though  of  the  size  of  the  King-bird,  is  near- 
ly related  to  the  Wood  Fewee,  yet  perfectly  distinct. 


■—- **-«»i»M^)e-- 


1 


>s. 


WOOD  PEWEE. 


285 


7,)  or  Pe  pe  re,  ap- 
size  and  color,  but 
w  on  the  head,  be- 
e  habits  of  botli  are 
irds  live  in  the  soli- 
»  hollow  trees,  or  in 
lanting  forth  their 
ay,  which  they  an- 

I  our  domestic  cock, 
in  defence  of  their 
line,  has  also  some 
pe  pe,  or  somewhat 
le  author.) 

II  known  for  his  de- 
bird    likewise   the 

of  Cape  May,  and 
upposed  young  bird 
s  above  and  white 
int,    might  perhaps 

about  04  to  7  inches. 
rs,  it  Iius  a  blowsy  cap  or 
is  very  dark  brown,  but 
;li  is  tho  prevailing  color 
>rown,  without  any  par- 
rts  edged  witii  whitish ; 
nd  3d  equal.  Tho  tail 
nch  beyond  the  closed 
rictus  bright  yellow,  oa 
the  latter  aomewhat  cor- 
istinctly  carinated,  and 
;hter  towards  the  base, 
line  down  the  midd]«  of 
wish  white ;  a  broadish 
wards  the  back,  extend- 

and  ftet  black-  Irids 
f  the  King-bird,  is  near- 
diatiuct. 


Mr.  Cooper,  by  letter,  has  obligingly  informed  me,  that  Prince 
Musiguano,  thinks  this  l)ird  may  be  described  l>y  Pennant.  His 
dusky  Fiycatcher,  iw  evidently,  our  Phebe,  the  M.  atiu  of  Gnielin. 
M.fuscu  does  not  essentially  dialer  from  that  species,  either  accord- 
ing to  Catesby 's  bad  figure,  or  BrisBon's  exact  description  ;  in  both  au- 
thors the  bill  is  black,  and  the  tail  long,  circumstances  wanting  in 
our  bird.  I  have  therefore  dedicated  it  to  our  friend  who  tells  me 
that  the  appropriate  name  we  liad  uiutually  thought  of,  M,  iiiortuito 
is  already  given  to  the  East  India  species. 


WOOD  PEWEE. 

(Muscicapavircns,  Lin.  M.  rapax,  Wilson,  ii.  {        ..  pi.  13.  iig.  5. 
Philad.  Museum,  No.  GtiGO.) 

Sp.  Ciiabact.  —  Dusky  brownish-olive, beneath  pale  yellowish;  bill 
black,  beneath  dilute  yellow;  SJd  primary  longest;  1st  much 
shorter  than  the  3d  and  longer  than  the  Cth. 

This  species  has  much  the  appearance  of  the  Common 
Pewee,  or  Phebe,  but  differs  essentially  by  its  note  and 
habits.  The  Wood  Pewee  appears  to  winter  south  of  the 
United  States,  and  scarcely  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  or 
New  England  before  the  middle  of  May ;  its  migrations, 
in  all  probability,  extend  to  Canadu.  It  is  a  solitary 
species,  frequenting  gloomy  forests,  and  dark  orchards, 
where  watching  on  some  dead  and  projecting  branch  for 
its  insect  prey,  it  sweeps  at  intervals  amidst  the  shade,  and 
the  occasional  snapping  of  its  bill  announces  the  success 
of  its  flight.  It  then  again  alights  as  before,  sometimes  ut- 
tering a  sort  of  gratulatory  low  twitter,  accompanied  by  a 
quivering  of  the  wings  and  tail,  and  in  the  lapse  of  its  em- 
ployment, in  a  feeble,  sighing  tone,  often  cries  pee-joee  or 
pce-e,  and  sometimes 2)e-wee  j)noitfitee  ox  pewittce  pe-wee. 
This  note  is  continued  often  till  quite  late  in  the  evening, 
at  which  time  many  of  the  insect  brood  and  moths  are 
abundant.  Most  of  these  birds,  indeed,  appear  capable 
of  collecting   their  food  by  the   feeblest  light,  the  only 


1 


S86 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


season  when  some  of  their  favorite  prey  ever  stir  abroad. 
This  species  also  appears  particularly  fond  of  small  wild 
bees.  From  June  to  Septcinl)er,  its  solitary  notes  are 
heard  in  the  field  and  forest,  after  which  time,  preparing 
for  its  departure,  and  intently  s'c'i"'"g  f^o'^  '"  '^^'^^y 
situation,  it  sometimes  approachcH  the  city,  often  exam- 
ines the  courts  and  gardens,  at  the  same  time  feeding 
and  training  its  young  to  the  habits  of  their  subsistence, 
and,  about  the  first  week  in  October,  it  retires  south  to 
pass  the  winter. 

The  Pcwcc  is  a  very  expert  and  cautious  flycatcher, 
and  as  if  aware  of  the  drowsiness  of  insects  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  sun's  broad  light,  he  is  on  the  alert  at  day- 
dawn  after  his  prey.  At  this  early  period,  and  often  in 
the  dusk  of  evening,  for  the  most  part  of  summer  till 
the  middle  of  August,  he  serenades  the  neighbourhood 
of  hia  mansion  from  3  to  4  or  5  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
with  an  almost  uninterrupted  chanting  ditty,  sweet,  but 
monotonous,  like  pe-ay  pay-toee,  pe-ay  pCiy-wee,  then  in  a 
little  higher  and  less  sing-song  tone,  his  usual  and  more 
serious  per.-a-wce.  In  dark  and  damp  mornings,  this 
curious  warble  is  sometimes  continued  nearly  to  8  o'clock  ; 
and  the  effect  of  this  tender,  lulling  lay,  in  the  grey  dawn, 
before  the  awakening  of  other  birds,  and  their  mingling 
chorus,  is  singular,  and  peculiarly  pleasing.  It  is  a 
gratulaiory  feeling  of  unmixed  and  placid  delight,  con- 
comitant with  the  mild  reviving  light  of  the  opening  day, 
and  the  perfect  joy  of  the  mated  male,  satisfied  in  every 
reasonable  desire;  in  short,  a  hymn  of  praise  to  the  be- 
nevolent Author  and  Supporter  of  existence  1 

Towards  the  period  of  departure  they  become  wholly 
silent,  and,  driven  to  extremity,  they  may  now  be  seen 
watching  the  stagnant  pools  and  ponds,  dipping  occasion- 
ally into  the  still  surface  after  their  drowsy  and  languid 
prey.     Like  the  King-bird,  this  species  at  times  displays 


WOOD  PEWEE. 


287 


I  ever  stir  abrond. 
^onil  of  small  wild 
solitary  notes  are 
;h  time,  preparing 
ng  food  in  every 
city,  often  exam- 
[ime  time  feeding 
their  subsistence, 
it  retires  south  to 

utious  flycatcher, 
insects  in  the  ab- 
n  the  alert  at  day- 
riod,  and  often  in 
rt  of  summer  till 
he  neighbourhood 
I  in  the  morning, 

ditty,  sweet,  but 
pCiy-wec,  then  in  a 
lis  usual  and  more 
ip  mornings,  this 
early  to  8  o'clock  ; 
,  in  the  grey  dawn, 
nd  their  mingling 
pleiising.  It  is  a 
acid  delight,  con- 
if  the  opening  day, 
,  satisfied  in  every 
'  praise  to  the  be- 
;ence ! 
ley  become  wholly 

may  now  be  seen 
,  dipping  occasion- 
rowsy  and  languid 
s  at  times  displays 


a  tyrannical  disposition,  and  I  have  observed  one  to  chase 
a  harmless  Sparrow  to  the  ground  for  safety,  who  merely 
by  inadvertence  happened  to  approach  the  station  he  had 
temporarily  chosen  for  collecting  his  insect  game. 

The  notes  of  peto-way  pcto-wdy  pvt-wny  are  never  ut- 
tered by  this  species;   but  on  the  12th  ofFebuary,  1830, 
in  Alabama,   I   heard,   at  that  season,    a   bird    uttering 
this  note,    and   several  times  afterwards    I  saw  a  rather 
large  and  dark  Flycatcher   in  the  Pine  woods,  to  which 
I  attributed  this  call,  and   which  must  be  a  distinct  spe- 
cies,  as  its   notes   bear  no   resemblance  to  those  of  the 
Wood  Pcwee,  at  this  season,  probably,  in  South  America. 
The  Pewee,  I  believe,  raises  here   but  a  single   brood, 
which  are  not  abroad   before   the  middle  of  July.     The 
nest  is  extremely  neat  and  curious,    almost   universally 
saddled  upon  an   old   moss-grown  and  decayed  limb  in 
an  horizontal  position,  and  is  so  remarkably  shallow,  and 
incorporated  upon  the  branch,  as  to  be   very  easily  over- 
looked.    The  body  of  the  fabric  consists  of  wiry  grass  or 
root  fibres,  often  blended   with  small  branching  lichens 
held  together  with  cob-webs,  and  caterpillar's  silk,  moist- 
ened with  saliva ;  externally  it  is  so  coated  over  with  blue- 
ish  crustaceous  lichens  as  to  be  hardly  discernible  from 
the  moss  upon  the  tree.     It  is  lined  with  finer  root  fibres 
or    slender    grass-stalks.        Some    nests    are,    however 
scarcely  lined  at  all,  being  so  thin  as  readily  to  admit  the 
light  through  them,  and  are  often  very  lousy  with  a  spe- 
cies of  acarm,  which  probably  infests  the  old  birds.    The 
eggs,  8  or   4,  are  of  a   yellow  cream-color,  spotted  and 
blotched,  though  not  profusely,  towards  the  great  end  with 
two  shades  of  lilac,  and  dark  brown. 

The  Wood  Pewee  is  about  C  inches  in  length;  alar  extent  10. 
Above  dusky  olive.  Head,  as  usual,  partly  crested,  brownish  black. 
Below  pale  yellowish,  inclining  to  white.  Tail  forked.  The  female 
a  little  smaller, 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


SMALL  PEWEE. 

(Musckapa  aeadica,  Gm.   M.  querula,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  77.  pi.  13.  Rg.  3. 
Jtf.  Trailtii?  Audubon,  pi.  45.     Philad.  Museum.  No.  CK-aS.) 

Sp.  Charact.  — Dusky  olive-green,  below  yellowish  white;  bill 
blnck,  beneath  dull  flesh-color;  3d  primary  longest,  Ist  and  Gth 
equal. 

This  is  one  of  our  most  common  summer  birds  in  this 
part  of  New  England,  arriving  from  the  South  about  the 
last  vvenk  in   April,  and  leaving  us,  to  retire  probably  to 
tropical  America,  about  the  beginning  of  September,  or 
sometimes  a  little  later.     They  also  extend  their  migra- 
tions to  Labrador,  and  seem  most  abundant  in  the  North- 
ern and  Eastern  States.     Though,  like  the  preceding,  it 
is  a  .solitary,  retiring  bird,  and  fond  of  the  shade  of  the 
forest,  yet  in  this  vicinity,  their  nests  are  numerous.     On 
th<>ir  first  arrival,  previous  to  pairing,  they  are  engaged  in 
constant   quarrels  about  their   mates,   and   often  molest 
other  birds  v.hom  they  happen  to  see  employed  in  pursuit 
of  the  same  kind  of  food  with  themselves.     Like  tlie  pre- 
•ceding  species,  they  take  their  station  on  alow  branch  to 
reconnoitre  the  passing  insects  on  which  they  feed,  and 
from  time  to  time  make  a  circular  sweep  for  their  prey. 
When  seated,  they  utter  very  frequently  a  sharp,  unpleasant 
squeak,  somewhat  resembling  that  of  the  King-bird,  sound- 
ing like  ijueali,  and  sometimes  'tsh'ali,  or  tshedh,  tsheah, 
and  tshooe,  with  a  guttural,  snapping  .sound,  succeeded  by 
a  kind  of  querulous,  low  twitter,  uttered  as  they  fly  from 
tree  to  tree,  and  chiefly  at  the  instant  of  alighting.     At 
other  times  tliey  have  a  recognising,  rather  low  call  of  whit 
'whit,  repeated  at  short  intervals  ;  again,  in  the  warmest 
weather,  I  iiave  heard  one  of  these  Pewees  call  something 
like  the  whistling  of  'wcrt  'weet  'wcct  'will.    Occasionally, 
when  fighting  or  in  flying,   it  also   makes  an    echoing 


SMALL  PEWEE. 


389 


,ii.  p.  77.pl.  13.  fig.  3. 
iseum.  No.  6825.) 

■ellowish    white ;    bill 
Y  longest,  1st  and  Cth 

mmer  birds  in  this 
le  South  about  the 

retire  probably  to 
\t  of  September,  or 
ctcnd  their  migra- 
dant  in  the  North- 
o  the  preceding,  it 
f  the  sliade  of  the 
re  numerous.  On 
hey  are  engaged  in 

and  often  molest 
mployed  in  pursuit 
'es.  Like  tlie  pre- 
on  alow  branch  to 
ich  they  feed,  and 
Bep  for  their  prey, 
a  sharp,  unpleasiint 
c  King-bird,  sound- 
!,  or  tshfctli,  tshedh, 
jund, succeeded  by 
ed  as  they  fly  from 
.  of  alighting.  At 
her  low  call  of 'wAj< 
in,  in  the  warmest 
wees  call  something 
cill.  Occasionally, 
makes  an    echoing 


ishirr.  It  possesses  all  the  habits  of  the  King-bird, 
catches  bees,  flies,  end  moths,  exhibits  a  variety  of  quiv- 
ering motions,  and  defends  its  nest  with  great  courage 
against  the  approach  of  larger  birds. 

The  nest  of  the   Small   Pewee  is  usually  fixed  in  the 
slender,  upright  forks  of  a  young  forest  tree,  from  6  to  20 
or  30  feet  from  the  ground.    I  have  also  found  the  nests 
on  the  horizontal  branch  of  an  apple  tree  or  forest  tree. 
In  most  instances,  in  the  woods,  a  gloomy,  solitary  situa- 
tion is  chosen.     The  materials  of  this  fabric  vary  accord- 
ing to  circumstances  ;  for  the  first  brood,  a  very  soft  and 
warm  nest  is  usually  made  of  dry  grass,  willow,  and  cud- 
weed down,   in  large   quantities,   partly   felted  or  mat- 
ted   together   externally   with    the  saliva  of    the   bird. 
Common    tow,   if  convenient,    is  also   occasionally  em- 
ployed, when  the   nest   is   in  an  apple  tree,   for  which 
some  neighbouring  graft  is  probably  unravelled.    They 
likewise  sometimes  employ  bits   of  wool.    The  interi- 
or is  usually  formed  of  slender,   narrifw  strips  of  bark, 
bass,  and  dry  grass  ;  the  lining  is  commonly  of  fine  root 
fibres,  slender  tops  of  bent  grass,  and   at  times  a  few 
hairs  and  feathers.     Occasionally  the  principal  external 
material  consists  of  strips  or  strings  of  silk-weed  lint,  and 
the  bark  of  the  common  virgin's-bower.*  The  nest  is  ex- 
tremely neat  and  uniform,  resembling  a  complete  hemi- 
sphere.    The  eggs  are  5,  and  pure  white.     As  nests  may 
be  found  late  in  July,  it  is  probable  they  have  a  second 
brood  in  the  course  of  the  season.     They  are  extremely 
attached  to   their  offspring,   and  keep  up  an  incessant, 
almost  choking  tshedh  tshedh,  when  any  person  approach- 
es towaWs  the  tree  where  they  have  their  brood.     The 
young  and  old   now  move  about  in  company,  and  at  this 
time  feed  on  various  kinds  of  berries,  particularly  those 


m 


t- 


-s^ 


25 


*  Clematis  virgiHiana. 


300 


iNSECTivonous  limns. 


of  tlio  cornel  and  tlic  wliortlc-bcrry.  At  length,  the  young 
are  seen  to  select  each  otiier's  society,  and  rove  about 
without  any  fixed  resort,  previous  to  their  gradual  de- 
parture. A  pail,  probably  of  tlic  same  brood,  still  lin- 
gered here  in  September,  and  like  the  little  Parrots,  call- 
ed luscpariiblu,  appeared  fondly  to  cherish  each  other's 
company.  It  was  towards  evening  when  I  saw  them,  and 
at  first  they  appeared  inclined  to  roost  in  the  shady  wil- 
low tree  on  which  they  had  alighted.  They  nestled  close 
to  each  other  with  looks  and  notes  of  tenderness  and  af- 
fection ;  wherever  one  went  the  other  instantly  followed, 
and  the  same  branch  continually  presented  the  same  con- 
stant pair. 

This  species  is  ."jJ  inches  in  length,  and  9  in  alar  extent.  Above 
it  is  dusky  olive  green.  Beneath  y>'llowisli-\vhite,  inclining  to  ash 
color  on  the  hreast.  Tlie  wings  are  dusky  hrown,  crossed  with  two 
bars  of  hrownisli  or  sullied  white ;  a  ring  of  the  same  surrounds  the 
eye  ;  secondiiriew  edged  witii  whitisii,  the  outer  edge  of  the  ',1st  pri- 
mary white,  under  wing-coverts  pale  yellow;  2d,  M,  and  4th  prima- 
ries nearly  of  a  lengtfi,  with  the  Ist  and  (Hh  also  equal.  Tail  pale 
dusky  brown,  decidedly  emarginate,  as  in  the  preceding  species; 
the  outer  feather  margined  witli  wliitish.  Legs  and  feet  black.  Bill, 
upper  mandible  bliickish-brown,  the  lower,  between  horn  and  flesh 
color,  not  remarkable  for  iU  breadth.  The  sexes  nearly  alike. 
The  white  marks  considerably  clearer  in  the  young  before  moulting. 


Subgenus. 


•Sylvania.*     (Genus    Sktophaga, 
Swninson.) 


Bill  depressed,  of  moderate  widtli,  with  elongated  bristles  at  the 
base,  the  mandibles  of  equal  length  and  acute  ;  the  upper  scarcely 
notched,  sliglitly  bent  at  tip,  but  scarcely  inflected  over  the  lower. 
Tarsus  longer  tlian  the  middle  toe.  ad  and  3d  primaries  aiij^ut  equal 
and  longest,  with  the  Ist  scarcely  shorter.  Tail  rather  long  and 
wedge-shaped. 


*  In  reference  to  its  alfinity  with  S,jlcia,  to  whicli  gcnui  it  ww  Mferred  by  Peana"^ 
amlOmelin.  '  «a.  '^^' 


length,  tlio  joung 
ami  rove  about 
heir  gradual  de- 
brood,  still  lin- 
Ule  Parrots,  call- 
rish  each  other's 
I  saw  them,  and 
in  tin;  shady  wil- 
liey  nestled  close 
;ndcrness  and  af- 
istantly  followed, 
ted  the  same  con- 
alar  extent.    Above 
lite,  inclining  to  ash 
m,  crossed  with  two 
same  Burrounds  the 
edge  of  the  ',1st  pri- 
d,  3d,  and  4th  prima- 
Iso  equal.     Tail  pale 
5  preceding  species; 
and  feet  Idack.    Bill, 
tween  horn  and  flesh 
I  sexes  nearlj    alike, 
ung  before  moulting. 

Setophaga, 


ngated  bristles  at  the 
I ;  tlie  upper  scarcely 
ected  over  the  lower, 
primaries  ob^ut  equal 
Toil  rather  long  and 


it  wwcjiferred  by  Pennant^ 

.  ■#;,'•  -     ■-*»';  A-    ^^ 


AMEHICAN    nr.DSTAHT. 


201 


The  moult  of  the  male  is  doulilo,  and  the  voice  nniKical  like  tliat 
of  the  Sylviiisiind  N'ireos,  to  wliich  it.  is  related,  but  sullicienlly  dis- 
tinct. Neaily  allii'd  to  llie  fdniirii  Maliini.i  of  N'ifillcil,  iih  wi'll  as  to 
the  indinn  I'lidiiiiuniis  oi  Swalnson,  in  wliich  llic  biiliiiMit  colors 
and  their  distribution  are  very  similar,  but  in  that  tlie  tail  is  long, 
and  unequally  (graduated,  and  the  lull  more  robust  .lud  strongly 
notched.  The  nest  not  pendulous,  jieat  and  somewbat  artful,  re- 
sembling that  of  tlu'  Sylvia.s.  Tbis  section,  iiu'ludinir  several  spe- 
cies, holds  probably  the  rank  of  a  ;renus.  but  rei|uires  further  com- 
parison. 


AMERICAN  REDSTART. 

(Muscicnpa  ruticUta,  h.  Wilson,  i.  p.  103.  pi.  (i.  tig.  (5.  [adult  male]. 
V.  p.  lli>.  pi.  '1"),  fig.  5>.  [young].  Aiii)imo\,  pi.  40.  [in  the  act  of 
attacking  a  nest  of  hornets].     I'iiilad.  Museum,  No.  tid."))^.) 

Hp.  CiiAiiACT.  —  Black  ;  beily  white  ;  sides  of  the  breast,  base  of  the 
primaries  and  tail-feathers  (the  two  middle  ones  excepted)  red- 
dish orange.  —  Female,  ymnig,  and  cutumnal  male  greenish-olive ; 
head  cinereous  ;  beneath  whitish ;  sides  of  the  breast  and  base  of 
the  tail-feathers,  yellow. 

This  beautiful  and  curious   bird  takes  up  its  summer 
residence   in  almost  every  part  of  the  North- American 


2»2 


INSECTIVOIlOirs    niRDS. 


continent,  being  found  in  Cuniida,  in  the  remote  interior 
near  lied  river  in  the  latitude  of  41)°,  and  throughout 
Louisiana  and  Arkansa,  probably  as'far  ast  Mexico  ;  in  all 
of  which  vast  countries  it  familiarly  breeds  and  resides 
during  the  mild  season,  withdrawing  early  in  September 
to  tropical  America,  where,  in  the  peri)etual  spring  and 
summer  of  the  larger  West  India  islands,  the  species 
again  finds  means  of  support.  At  length,  instigated  by 
more  powerful  feelings  than  those  of  ordinary  want,  the 
male,  now  clad  in  his  beautiful  nuptial  livery,  and  ac- 
companied by  his  mate,  seeks  anew  the  friendly  but  far 
distant  natal  regions  of  his  race.  In  no  haste,  the  play- 
ful Redstart  does  not  appear  in  Pennsylvania  until  late  in 
April.  The  month  of  May,  about  the  close  of  the  first 
week,  ushers  his  arrival  into  the  states  of  New  England  ; 
but  in  Louisiana  he  is  seen  as  early  as  the  beginning  of 
March.  He  is  no  pensioner  upon  the  bounty  of  man. 
Though  sometimes  seen,  on  his  first  arrival,  in  the  dark- 
est part  of  the  orchard  or  garden,  or  by  the  meander- 
ing brook,  he  seeks  to  elude  obscrv.ition,  and  now,  the 
great  object  of  his  migrations  having  arrived,  he  retires 
with  his  mate  to  the  thickest  of  the  sylvan  shade.  Like 
his  relative  Sylvias,  he  is  full  of  life  and  in  perpetual 
motion.  He  does  not,  like  the  loitering  Pewce,  wait  the 
accidental  approach  of  his  insect  prey,  but  carrying  the 
war  amongst  them,  he  is  seen  flitting  from  bough  to 
bough,  or  at  times  pursuing  the  flying  troop  of  winged 
insects  from  the  top  of  the  tallest  tree  in  a  zig-zag,  hawk- 
like, descending  flight,  to  the  ground,  while  the  clicking 
of  his  bill  declares  distinctly  both  his  object  and  success. 
Then  alighting  on  some  adjoining  branch,  intently  watch- 
ing, with  his  head  extended,  he  runs  along  upon  it  for  an 
instant  or  two,  flirting  like  a  fan  his  expanded  brilliant 
tail  from  side  to  side,  and  again  suddenly  shoots  off  like** 


AMF.ItlCAN    REDSTAKT. 


293 


•  remotP  interior 
aii(i  throughout 
M  Mexico  ;  in  all 
ends  and  resides 
iy  in  Septoniher 
itiial  spring  and 
ids,  the  species 
Ih,  instigated  by 
[Unary  want,  the 
livery,  and  ac- 
frieudly  but  far 
I  haste,  tlie  play- 
nnia  until  into  in 
^losc  of  the  first 
f  New  England ; 
he  beginning  of 
bounty  of  man. 
val,  in  the  dark- 
by  the  meander- 
1,  and  now,  the 
rived,  he  retires 
in  shade.  Like 
ind  in  perpetual 
Pewce,  wait  the 
but  carrying  the 
from  bough  to 
troop  of  winged 
a  zig-zag,  hawk- 
liile  the  clicking 
ject  and  success. 
I,  intently  watch- 
ng  upon  it  for  an 
panded  brilliant 
Iy  shoots  off  like*" 


an  arrow  in  a  new  direction,  after  tlie  fresh  game  he  has 
discovered  in  the  distance,  and  for  which  he  appeared  to 
be  reconnoitring.  At  first  the  males  are  seen  engag- 
ed in  active  strife,  pursuing  each  other  in  wide  circles 
through  the  forest.  The  female  seeks  out  her  prey  with 
less  action  and  flirting,  and  in  her  manners  resembles  the 
ordinary  Sylvias. 

The  notes  of  the  male,  though  not  possessed  of  great 
compass,  are  highly  musical,  and  at  times  sweet  and 
agreeably  varied  like  that  of  tlie  Warblers.  Many  of 
these  tones,  as  they  are  mere  trills  of  harmony,  cannot  be 
recalled  by  any  words,  Their  song  on  their  first  arrival  is 
however  nearly  uniform,  and  greatly  reseml)les  the  'tsh 
'tsh  tshtshrf,  tsht,  f:\'ar,  tskr  t!>hea,  or  '/.s7«  'tsh  'tsh  'tshilshee 
of  the  summer  Yellow-bird  (Sylvia  mstiva),  uttered  in  a 
piercing  and  rather  slender  tone  ;  now  and  then  also 
agreeal)ly  varied  with  a  somewhat  plaintive  flowing  'tshe 
tshi  tshe,  or  a  more  agreeable  'tshit  'tshil  a  'tsher,  given  al- 
most in  the  tones  of  the  Common  Yellow-bird  (tVingilla 
tristis).  I  have  likewise  hoard  individuals  warble  out  a 
variety  of  sweet,  and  tender,  trilling,  rather  loud  and 
shrill  notes,  so  superior  to  the  ordinary  lay  of  incubation, 
that  the  performer  wo\ild  scarcely  be  supposed  the  same 
bird.  On  some  occasions  the  male  also,  when  angry  or 
alarmed,  utters  a  loud  and  snapping  chirp. 

The  nest  of  this  elegant  Sylvan  Flycatcher  is  very 
neat  and  substantial ;  fixed  occasionally  near  the  forks  of  a 
slender  hickory  or  beach  sappling,  but  more  generally 
fastened  or  agglutinated  to  the  depending  branches  or 
twigs  of  the  former  ;  sometimes  securely  seated  amidst 
the  stout  footstalks  of  the  waving  foliage  *  in  the  more 
usual  manner  of  the  delicate  cradle  of  the  Indian  Tailor- 

*  Soo  the  vignctto  at  tlie  cioae  uf  tliis   article,  which  repreienti  one  uf  the  nests 
here  described. 


'I   I 

il 


994 


INSF.rTIVOnoiJS  niRDH. 


bird.t  but  in  the.  deep  and  cool   aliad*'  of  tlm    foreHt,  in- 
stead of  the  blooming  bower.     Security  boinj;  obuiincd 
by  II  firm  adhesion   of  the  materials,  our  little  brilliant 
and  active  architect  is  seldom  solicitious  about  a  great 
elevation,  the  hei^'iit  of  the   nest  beinj;   probui)ly  rarely 
more  tiian  0  to  V2  feet  from  the  ground  ;  except  in  erect 
BBpplini^s,  when   the  height  may  be  20  to  30  feet.     The 
external  materials  (of!)  nests  from  whicli  I  now  doHcribe) 
are  short  and  ratlior   coarse   strips  of  Hemlock  fir  bark, 
and  aJKo  stalks   of  small  tree   leaves,  or  tough  bladf^s  of 
grass  {Poa  compressa)  agglutinated  by  saliva,  and  thinly 
tied  over  with  caterpillar's  silk  and  the  linty  bark  of  the 
dog's  bane  (ylyjoryHMM  Sp.) ;   to  the  outside  appear  also 
attach<'d    l)its    of    snow-white   fibrous  touch-wood,    and 
films   of  paptr-birch    bark ;    within  this    first   layer   are 
more   scraps  of  touch-wood,  and  i)its  of  a  white  fungus 
(Affaririis  tnmrnto-ms) ;  after  which,  the  rest  of  the  man- 
ufacture,   10  the  thickness  of    more  than  half  an  inch, 
consists   almost  wholly  of  slender  brown  strips  of  grape- 
vine bark,  becoming  thinner   towards  the  ultimate  lining 
su'rfece,    so  as  to  appear  no  thicker,  at  length,   than  the 
finer  sewing-thread.     Sometimes,  as  in  one  of  these  nests, 
while  making  the  first  tenacious  layer,  sparing  anil  acci- 
dental bits  of  thread  are  not  refused   when   convenient, 
whicli  must  however  seldom  happen  from  the  solitary  and 
secluded  habits  of  the  species.    This  nest,  never  pensile, 
bears  a  great  resemblance  to  that  of  the    Pine  Warbler, 
but  the  lining   is  neither   soft  nor  downy.     The  eggs,  3 
or  4,  are  cream  white,  and  pretty   thickly  sprinkled  with 
yellowish-brown    spots    of  two   shades,    becoming    more 
numerous  towards  the   greater  end.     Both   parents,  but 
particularly  the  male,  exhibit  great  concern  for  the  safely 
of  their  nest,  whether  containing  eggs  only  or  young,  and 

t  Sylula  autoria  i  Iho  neft  as  gi^n  in  Forlwa's  History  of  Imlia 


^&a<»-»- 


AMF.nU'AN  REDSTART. 


305 


>f  tlin    forpst,  iii- 
lioin^  olttdiiHMl 
ir  litllo   brillinnt 
UH  iihoiit  n  great 
prol>al)ly  rarely 
;  except  in  erect 
to  ',W  feet.     The 
li  I  now  dencribe) 
[enilock  fir  l)nrk, 
r  tonsrii   bliul':'^  of 
iiilivn,  and  thinly 
linty  biirk  of  the 
Hide   appear  also 
ouch-wood,    and 
s   first   layer   are 
f  a  while  fungus 
^  rest  of  the  man- 
nn  half  an  inch, 
1  strips  of  grape- 
ic  ultimate  lining 
length,   than  the 
me  of  these  nests, 
iparing  and  acci- 
ilien   convenient, 
n  the  solilary  and 
ist,  never  pensile, 
16   Pine  Warbler, 
ny.     The  eggs,  3 
ly  sprinkled  with 
becoming   more 
{oth   parents,  but 
cern  for  the  safety 
nly  or  young,  and 


on  its  being  approached,  the  male  will  flit  about  within 
a  few  feet  of  tlw;  invader,  regardless  of  his  personal  safe- 
ty, and  exhibiting  unequivocal  marks  of  distress.  The 
parents  also,  in  their  solicitude  and  fear,  keep  up  an  in- 
cessant 'ta/ii'i)  when  their  infant  brood  arc  even  dis- 
tantly approached. 

The  lenjrth  nf  the  Rpdntart  is  TiJ  inchea  ;  alar  extent  about  (IJ. 
Above,  tlic  f.'1'Mfriil  color  in  binck,  in  piiices  glossed  wilti  steel  blue  ; 
the  sides  of  the  breast  below  the  bliick,  the  inside  of  the  wings,  and 
upper  half  of  llie  prinmries  are  of  a  fine  reddiHli  orange,  soMietimei 
approachini;  sciirlet.  Tliel  middle  feathers  of  the  tail  are  black,  the 
rest  orange  and  black  towards  the  tips.  The  belly  and  vent  white, 
tinged  with  pale  orange.  Legs  blackish,  long  and  slender,  (better 
suited  for  walking  than  those  of  the  other  Flycatchers  of  the  United 
States.)  Uill  brownish  tlesh-color.  —  The  young  miihs  resemble 
the  female  in  most  respects,  but  dlH'er  in  having  a  yellow  band 
across  the  wings;  the  back  is  also  browner,  the  inside  ot  the  wing* 
ii  yellow.     In  the  'M\  season  he  acquires  his  perfect  livery. 


lory  of  India 


390 


OHOua  uinoa. 


BONAPARTE'S  SYLVAN  FLYCATCHER, 

(Musriaipa  lima   "Hii,  AvDuaoii,  pi.  6.  Orn.  Diog.  i,  p.  "/T.) 

Sp.  CiiABAiT.  — Ciiifre.ru*,  IVoiit  ftiul   beneoth  (liiU  yt-llnw,  iniied 
with  ((rey,  llif  liffiiHt  H|)nriti>tly  Hpotted  ;  tuil  we(l({<»-Hliiii>»d. 

TiiiH  !<|K'c,ii!.t  was  discovered  by  Audiilx)!!  in  ii  cyprccB 
Bwnrnp,  in  Louir;inna,  on  the  IJJth  of  Auj^ust,  IH21,  which 
wns  Iho  only  time  he  ever  met  with  it.  \X^  manners  ap- 
peared very  ximiliir  to  tliosc  of  ifie  preceding  species, 
and  it  now  uttered  merely  a  plaintive  Uwrct. 

Size  appnrently  a  little  more  than  B  inchef.  Primariei  edged  with 
white.  Dill  pale.  Quills  dusky,  their  outer  webs  blue  ;  ad.  prima- 
ry lonjTfBt  I.eiTH  yellowish  flfsli  color.  I  believe,  1  liiive  once  seen 
this  species  inn  grove  of  the  Uotunic  Garden  in  Cambridge. 

SELBY'S  SYLVAN  FLYCATCHER 

(Mvscicapa  Selbii,  Afnt  bow,  pi.  9.  Orn.  Diog.  i.  p.  40.) 
Sp.  Cii\u.vtT.  — Olive  jrreen.  below  and  line  over  llie  eye  yellow ; 

tail  forked,  tliree  lateral  featheis  with  white  spots  on  their  inner 

weba. 

This  very  rare  wpecies  w««  also  inet  with  by  the  above 
author  in  the  same  swiiiiip  nitli  the  preceding,  but  in  the 
early  part  of  .luly,  «o  thai  it  is  probably  a  summer  resi- 
dent in  some  of  the  neighbouring  Spanisli  provinces. 

About  the  size  of  the  preceding.  Wings  und  mil  brownish  black, 
edged  with  yellow,  the  M  quill  longest.  A  few  spots  on  the  cheeks. 
Bill  almost  Iriauguiur,  dusky.     Leg*  rose  flesh-color. 

SMALL-HEADED  SYLVAN  FLYCATCHER. 

(Muscicaim  winvta,    Wilson,   vi.   p.  (52.  pi.  SO  0,      5.     Sylvia  mi- 

7IUta,      BONAP.) 

Sp.  Char  act.  —  Dark  yellow-olive ;  beneath  p  .UduK  yelluv,  wingt 
and  tail  dusky  brown;  the  wing-coverts  ..,il  v.uli  wii.ie  ;  two 
lateral  tail-feuthers  with  ft  whilp  spo-  on  the  inner  vanes. 


<\  ' 


CATCHER, 

.  Diog.  i.  p,  '/r.) 

(lull  yelliiw,  mixed 

Wf(l({e-Hliai)»(l. 

boll  ill  II  cyprcES 
U8t,  IH31,  which 
ItH  iiiniiners  ap> 
eceding  species, 
'cet, 

Primaries  edgfd  with 
p|)H  liliif  -,  !i<l  prinm- 
I'p,  I  Imve  once  »een 
Ciuiibridge. 

rciiER. 

Bion;.  i.  p.  40.) 

ver  llie  eye  yellow  ; 

iipota  on  their  inner 

vitli  by  the  above 
filing,  but  in  the 
ly  a  summer  resi- 
sli  provinces. 

tuil  brownish  black, 
HpotB  on  the  cheeks. 
;olor. 

fCATCHER. 

I  fi^    P.     Sylvia  mi- 

|«<Uill yellow;  wings 
jji,  ...lU  wniie ;  two 
inner  vanes. 


ULre-ORAY  SYLVAIV  FLYCATCIIIill. 


ao7 


Tins  rnrn  species,  of  a  donblfu,  jpnus,  was  first  (li»- 
covered  by  Mr.  Audubon,  by  whom  it  was  coiiimiinicated 
to  Wilnoii  iiH  well  as  the  drawin)(  which  iccoi.  panics  hit 
description.  Ilo  iinerwurds  iiii-t  with  lliiM  bird  liiiiiNcH  in 
I'enn.fylMiiiia,  tovviird.i  the  close  of  April  in  an  orchard, 
where  with  remarkable  activity  it  was  running  and  dart- 
ing alioui  lunoiig  the  opening  buds  and  blo.sxoms  in  ipicst 
of  winiT'  'I  insects.  Its  notes  and  otiior  habits  are  at 
present  iiiiknosvn.  It  is  not  uncoiuinon ;  being  seen  in 
New  Jersey,  particularly  in  swamps,  and  may  lireed 
there,  as  it  is  found  in  the  moiilli  of  June.  In  tiie  south- 
ern part^  of  the  Union,  in  summer,  it  is  probably  more 
freipieiit  than  in  the  Middle  States.  My  friend,  Mr.  C. 
Pickering,  also  obtained  n  specimen  several  years  ago 
near  Salem,  (Massachusetts.) 

Length  •">  inrlieii;  alar  c.xtpnt  HJ.  Uelow  dirty  wliite,  ntnined  with 
dull  yeiliiw  towiirdM  the  upper  part  (if  the  broiust.  Bill  dusky  yellow, 
brond  nt  the  boHe,  notched  near  the  tip,  with  porreoted  brintles  nt  the 
bane.    Legs  dark  brown  ;  feet  yellowish.     Liu  liaiel. 


BLUE-GRAY  SYLVAN  FLYCATCHER. 

(Museicapn  cirruhn,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  104.  pi.  18.  fig.  5.  Sijttia  carulta, 
Lath.  Audubon,  pi.  84.     Philud.  Museum,  No.  0829.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Bluish-grey ;  beneath  pale  bluish-white  ;  tail  longer 
tlian  the  body,  rounded,  black;  outer  tail-feathers  nearly  whit^, 
the  two  succeeding  tipt  with  white.  —  Female  bluish  white  below, 
without  tlie  black  line  over  tlie  eye  and  front. 

But  for  the  length  of  the  tail,  this  would  rank  among 
the  most  diminutive  of  birds.  It  is  a  very  dexterous, 
lively  insect  huntrr,  and  keeps  commonly  in  the  tops  of 
tall  trees ;  its  motions  are  rapid  and  incessant,  appearing 
always  in  quest  of  its  prey,  darting  from  bough  to  bough 


*l 


aes 


INSECTIVOROUS  UIRDS. 


with  hanging  wings  and  elevated  tail,  uttering  only  at 
times  a  feeble  song  of  Isft  taee  tsec,  scarcely  louder  than 
the  squeak  of  a  mouse.  It  arrives  in  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania from  the  south  about  the  middle  of  April,  and 
hardly  pas:^es  to  the  north  of  the  states  of  New  York 
and  Ohio.  Its  first  visits  are  paid  to  the  blooming  wil- 
lows, along  the  borders  of  water  courses,  and,  besides 
other  small  insects,  it  now  preys  on  the  troublesome 
musquetocs.  Al)out  the  beginning  of  May  it  forms  its 
nest,  which  is  usually  fixed  among  twigs,  at  the  height 
of  10,  or  sometimes  even  50  feet  from  the  ground, 
near  the  summit  of  a  forest  tree.  It  is  formed  of  slight 
materials,  such  as  the  scales  of  buds,  stems  and  parts  of 
fallen  leaves,  withered  blossoms,  fern*  down,  and  the  silky 
fibres  of  various  plants,  lined  with  a  few  horse-hairs, 
and  coated  externally  with  lichens.  In  this  frail  nest,  the 
Cow  Troopial  sometimes  deposits  her  egg,  and  leaves 
her  offspring  to  the  care  of  these  affectionate  and  pigmy 
nurses.  In  this  case,  as  with  the  Cuckoo  in  the  nest  of 
the  Yellow  Wren  and  that  of  the  Red-tailed  Warbler,  the 
egg  is  probably  conveyed  by  the  parent,  and  placed  in 
this  small  and  slender  cradle,  which  would  not  be  able  to 
sustain  the  weight  or  receive  the  body  of  the  intruder. 
The  eggs  of  this  species,  4  or  5,  are  white,  with  a  few 
reddish  dots  towards  the  larger  end.  They  are  said  to 
raise  two  broods  in  the  season. 

This  species  leaves  the  Middle  States  for  the  south  to- 
wards the  close  of  September,  wintering  in  tropical 
America,  where  they  have  been  observed  in  Cayenne. 
Early  in  March,  it  arrives  in  Louisiana,  Florida,  and 
Georgia  from  its  tropical  winter-quarters,  but  none  pass 
that  season  within  the  boundaries  of  the  Union. 


*  Of  Uio  Otnunda  ciuHammea,  fce. 


-isjwjiiasaa-  ij^yiiiaii!is#MKS!»ii3MBM».aii>aa*--twawig^ 


DS. 

ail,  uttering  only  at 
scarcely  louder  than 
1  the  state  of  Penn- 
liddle  of  April,  and 
states  of  New  York 
0  the  blooming  wil- 
urses,  and,  besides 
on  the  troublesome 
of  May  it  forms  its 
twigs,  at  the  height 
from  the  ground, 
is  formed  of  slight 
,  stems  and  parts  of 
*down,  and  the  silky 
a  few  horse-hairs, 
[n  this  frail  nest,  the 
ler  egg,  and  leaves 
ectionate  and  pigmy 
uckoo  in  the  nest  of 
l-tailed  Warbler,  the 
rent,  and  placed  in 
would  not  be  able  to 
ody  of  the  intruder, 
re  white,  with  a  few 
i.     They  are  said  to 

ites  for  the  south  to- 
intering  in  tropical 
iserved  in  Cayenne, 
isiana,  Florida,  and 
irters,  but  none  pass 
the  Union. 

a,  fcc. 


ICTERIA. 


200 


Length  of  the  Bhie-grey  Flycatcher  4}  inches ;  alar  extent  CJ. 
Front  and  line  over  the  eye  black.  Above,  liglit  bluish-grey,  bright- 
est on  the  head.  Below  bluish.white  and  pale  (white,  in  the  fe- 
males.) Toil  edged  with  blue,  its  coverts  black.  Wings  brownish 
black,  some  of  the  secondaries  next  the  body  edged  with  white. 
Legs  pale  blue.  Iris  hazel.  Bill  black,  broad,  notched  somewhat 
more  at  the  tip,  than  the  rest  of  this  subgenus. 


ICTERIA.      (ViEILLOT,  BONAP.) 

The  BILL  robust,  rather  long,  convex,  curved,  compressed,  entire, 
and  pointed,  with  divergent  bristles  at  its  base  ;  the  niaiulibles  nearly 
equal,  with  the  edges  somewhat  bent  inwards.  Nostuii.s  rounded, 
half  covered  by  an  arched  membrane,  ronirur  cartilaginous,  slightly 
cleft  at  the  point. — The  inner  <oc  unconnected  with  tlie  adjoining 
one.  First  primary  a  little  shorter  than  tlio  "id,  3d,  and  4th,  which 
are  longest.  —  Female  sin»ilar  to  the  male  in  color. 

They  feed  on  insects  and  berries;  are  fond  of  concealment ;  alight 
occasionally  on  the  ground  near  the  thickets  where  they  iiide. 
Tlieir  flight  is  irregular,  and  their  song  <iU!iint  and  varied.  —  The 
genus  contains  but  a  single  species,  and  is  peculiar  to  America.  It 
is  allied  toMiucicapa  as  well  as  to  tlie  I'irco  and  Thrusli. 


YELLOW-BREASTED   ICTERIA. 

(Icteria   Viridis,   Bonap.    Pijrra  pohjglotta,   Wilso.n  i.  p,  90.  pi.  6. 
fig.  2.  Muscieapa  viridis.  Gmkl.  Philad.  Museum,  No.  CCCl.^ 

Observ.  The  general  color  of  this  bird  above  is  deep  olive-green  ; 
the  throat  and  breast  is  yellow ;  with  the  abdomen  and  a  line 
encircling  the  eyes  white , 

This  remarkable  bird  is  another  summer  resident  of 
the  United  States,  which  passes  the  winter  in  tropical 
America,  being  found  in  Guiana  and  Brazil,  so  that  its 
migrations  probably  extend  indifferently  into  the  milder 
regions  of  both  hemispheres.     Even  the  birds  essentially 


800 


INSECTlVOttODS  BIRDS. 


tropical  are  still  known  to  migrate  to  different  distances 
on  either  side  the  equator,  so  essential  and  necessary  is 
this  wandering  habit  to  almost  all  the  feathered  tribe. 

The  Icteria  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  first 
week  in  "^lay,  and  does  not  appear  to  proceed  further 
north  and  east  than  the  states  of  New  York  or  Connecti- 
cut. In  the  distant  interior,  however,  near  the  Rocky 
mountains,  towards  the  sources  of  the  Arkansa,  this  bird 
was  observed  by  Mr.  Say.  It  retires  to  the  south  about 
the  middle  of  August,  or  as  soon  as  the  only  brood  it 
raises  are  fitted  to  undertake  their  distant  journey. 

The  males,  as  in  many  other  migrating  birds,  who 
are  not  continually  paired,  arrive  several  days  before  the 
females.  As  soon  as  our  bird  has  chosen  his  retreat, 
which  is  commonly  iu  some  thorny  or  viny  thicket, 
where  he  can  obtain  concealment,  he  becomes  jealous  of 
his  assumed  rights,  and  resents  the  least  intrusion,  scold- 
ing all  who  approach  in  a  variety  of  odd  and  uncouth 
tones,  very  difficult  to  describe  or  imitate,  except  by  a 
whistling,  in  which  case  the  bird  may  be  made  to  ap- 
proach, but  seldom  within  sight.  His  responses  on  such 
occasions  are  constant  and  rapid,  expressive  of  anger  and 
anxiety  ;  and  still  unseen,  his  voice  shifts  from  place  to 
place  amidst  the  thicket,  like  the  haunting  of  a  fairy. 
Some  of  these  notes  resemble  the  whistling  of  the  wings 
of  a  flying  duck,  at  first  loud  and  rapid,  then  sinking  till 
they  seem  to  end  in  single  notes.  A  succession  of  other 
tones  are  now  heard,  some  like  the  barking  of  young 
puppies,  with  a  variety  of  hollow,  guttural,  uncommon 
sounds,  frequently  repeated,  and  terminated  occasionally 
by  something  like  the  mewing  of  a  cat,  but  hoarser  ;  a 
tone,  to  which  all  our  Vireos,  particularly  the  young, 
have  frequent  recurrence.  All  these  notes  are  uttered 
with  vehemence,   and   with   such  strange   and    various 


< 


iifferent  distances 
and   necessary  is 
eathered  tribe, 
a   about  the   first 
o  proceed   further 
York  or  Connecti- 
,  near  the  Rocky 
Arkansa,  this  bird 
to  the  south  about 
the  only  brood   it 
ant  journey, 
rating  birds,   who 
al  days  before  the 
hosen  his  retreat, 
'  or   viny    thicket, 
becomes  jealous  of 
st  intrusion,  scold- 
odd  and  uncouth 
litiiie,  except  by  a 
y  be   made  to   ap- 
responses  on  such 
essive  of  anger  and 
ihifts  from  place  to 
lunting   of  a  fairy, 
stling  of  the  wings 
1,  then  sinking   till 
uccession  of  other 
barking  of  young 
itturnl,   uncommon 
inated  occasionally 
at,   but  hoarser  ;  a 
iuiarly  the   young, 
!   notes  are  uttered 
ange   and    various 


■Me 


' 


YELLOW-BREASTED   ICTERIA. 


801 


modulations,  as  to  appear  near  or  distant,  like  the  manoeu- 
vres of  ventriloquism.  In  mild  weather,  also,  when  the 
moon  shines,  this  gabbling,  with  exuberance  of  VI'i  and 
emotion,  is  heard  nearly  throughout  the  night,  as  if  the 
performer  were  disputing  with  the  echoes  of  his  own  voice. 

Soon  after  their  arrival,  or  about  the  middle  of  May, 
the  Ictcrias  begin  to  build,  fixing  the  nest  commonly  in 
a  bramble-bu.sli,  in  an  interlaced  thicket,  a  vine,  or  small 
cedar,  4  or  5  feet  from  the  ground.  The  outside  is 
usually  composed  of  dry  leaves,  or  thin  strips  of  grape- 
vine bark,  and  lined  witli  root-fibres  and  dry,  slender 
blades  of  grass.  The  eggs  are  about  4,  pale  flesh-color- 
ed, spotted  all  over  with  brown  or  dull  red.  The  young 
are  hatched  in  the  short  peried  of  12  days ;  and  leave 
the  nest  about  the  second  week  in  June.  While  the 
female  i.s  t-itting,  the  cries  of  the  male  are  still  more  loud 
and  incessant.  He  now  braves  concealment,  and,  at 
times,  mounts  into  tlio  air  almost  perpendicularly  30  or 
40  feet,  with  his  legs  hanging  down,  and,  descending  as  he 
rose,  by  repeated  jerks,  he  seems  to  be  in  a  paroxysm  of 
fear  and  anger.  Its  usual  mode  of  flying  is  not,  howev- 
er, different  from  that  of  other  birds. 

The  food  of  the  Icteria  consists  of  beetles  and  other 
shelly  insects  ;  and,  as  the  summer  advances,  they  feed  oh 
various  kinds  of  berries,  like  the  Flycatchers,  and  .seem 
particularly  fond  of  whortleberries.  They  are  frequent 
through  the  Middle  States,  in  hedges,  thickets,  and 
near  rivulets  and   watery  situations, 

The  Icteria  is  7  inches  long,  and  9  in  alar  extent.  Above,  it  is  of  a 
rich  deepolivp-green,  witlithe  exception  of  the  tips  of  the  wings,  and 
the  inner  v.-ines  of  tlie  wing  and  tail-feathers,  which  are  dusky 
brown;  throat  and  breast  of  a  brigiit  yellow;  the  abdomen  and  vent 
white ;  the  front  dull  cinereous ;  lores  black  ;  a  line  of  white  extends 
from  the  nostril  to  the  upper  part  of  the  eye,  which  it  nearly  encir- 
cles ;  a  spot  of  white  also  at  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible  Bill 
26 


4] 


302 


INSECTIVOR01I9  BIRDS. 


black.  T-eg«  and  feet  bluish-grey,  the  hind  claw  rather  the  largest. 
~-  Tlie  frmale  merely  differs  by  having  the  black  and  white  adjoin- 
ing the  eye  less  pure  and  deep. 


VIREOS  (or  Waruling  Flycatchers.) 

In  these  the  bill  is  rather  short,  alittle  compressed,  and  furnished 
with  bristles  at  its  base  ;  the  upper  mandible  curved  at  the  extremity 
and  Btroncrly  notched  ;  the  lower  is  shorter,  and  recurved  at  tip. 
Nostrils,  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  rounded.  Tongue  cartilaginous  and 
clea  at  the  point.  Tarsus  longer  than  the  middle  toe.  WingM 
rather  acute  ;  the  2d  or  3d  primary  longest.  —  Female  resembling 
the  male.     The  species  more  or  less  tinged  with  olive-green. 

These  birds,  in  the  early  part  of  summer,  live  exclusive- 
ly on  insects  ;  towards  autumn  they  feed  on  small  bitterish 
or  astriiiffent  berries,  the  hard,  indijrestible  parts  of  which 
are  regurgitated  by  the  bill,  as  with  the  Flycatchers. 
They  live  almost  wholly  in  trees,  rarely  ever  alighting  on 
the  ground.  The  voice  is  highly  musical,  and  their  song 
long  continued.  At  the  approach  of  winter  they  migrate 
to  tropical  climates.  —  They  are  peculiar  to  America, 
Besides  their  other  affinities,  they  are  related  to  the  true 
Orioles,  in  which  the  young  and  females  are  also  olive- 
green  :  both  build  pendulous  nests  ;  have  similar  colored 
eggs;  their  song  is  not  very  different ;  and  the  young 
of  both  mew  somewhat  like  cats. 


YFXLOW-TIIROATED  VIREO. 

(Vireo  favifrons,  Vieill.  Bonap.   Musdcapa  sylnicola,  Wilson,!. 

p.  117.  pi.  7.  fig.  3.    ^hil.  Museum,  No.  6661  ?) 
Sp.   Chakact.  — Yellow-olive;     throat,   breast,   frontlet,  and   line 

round  the  eye,  yellow  ;  belly  white  ;  wings  with  8  white  bands, 

and,  as  well  as  tiie  tail,  blackish. 


YELLOW-TllnOATED   VIREO. 


303 


'  ralher  the  largest, 
c  and  white  adjoin- 


rcMERS.) 

!ssed,  and  furnished 
red  at  the  extremity 
nd  recurved  at  tip. 
ue  cartilaginous  and 
liddle  toe.  Wingt 
Female  resembling 
■h  olive-green. 

er,  live  exclusive- 
)n  small  bitterish 
le  parts  of  which 
he  Flycatchers, 
ever  alighting  on 
1,  and  their  song 
[Iter  they  migrate 
liar  to  America. 
>lated  to  the  true 
es  are  also  olive- 
■e  similar  colored 
and  the  young 


[REO. 

ftjlmcola,  Wilson,  i. 

?}o.66Gl.') 

,,   frontlet,  and  line 
with  2  white  bands, 


This  species  of  Vireo,  or  Warbling  Flycatcher,  visits 
the  Middle  and  Northern  States  of  the  Union  about  the 
beginning  of  May,  or  as  soon  as  his  insect  food  allows 
him  a  means  of  subsistence.  He  resides  chictly  in  the 
forest,  where  he  liunts  his  tiny  prey  among  the  high 
branches,  and  as  he  shifts  from  twig  to  twig  in  the  rest- 
less pursuit,  he  often  relieves  his  toil  with  a  somewhat  sad 
and  indolent  note,  which  he  repeats,  with  some  variation, 
at  short  intervals.  This  song  appears  like  'jtrcra  'prccA, 
&LC.,  and  it  sometimes  finishes  with  a  complaining  call 
of  recognition,  'prrenii^h  'prrcaigh.  These  syllables  rise 
and  fall  in  different  tones  as  they  are  repeated,  but  though 
usually  sweet  and  impressive,  arc  delivered  too  slow  and 
solemn  to  be  gene»-ally  pleasing ;  in  other  respects  they 
considerably  resemble  the  song  of  the  Red-Eyed  Warb- 
ling Flycatcher,  in  whose  company  it  is  often  heard, 
blending  its  deep  but  languid  warble,  with  the  loud,  ener- 
getic notes  of  the  latter,  and  their  united  music,  uttered 
during  summer,  even  at  noon  day,  is  rendered  peculiarly 
agreeable,  as  nearly  all  the  songsters  of  the  grove  are 
now  seeking  a  silent  shelter  from  the  sultry  heat.  In  the 
warmest  weather,  the  lay  of  this  bird  is  indeed  peculiarly 
strong  and  lively ;  and  his  usually  long  drawn,  almost 
plaintive  notes  are  now  delivered  in  fine  succession,  with 
a  peculiar  echoing  and  highly  impressive  musical  ca- 
dence ;  appearing  like  a  romantic  and  tender  reverie  of 
delight.  The  song,  now  almost  incessant,  heard  from 
this  roving  sylvan  minstrel,  is  varied  in  bars  nearly  as 
follows  :  prea  prea  prcoi,  prcait  preoit  p'mweet  preeai, 
pe.toai  praiou,  preeai  preco  praolt,  preeo  predioit  preeoo. 
When  irritated,  he  utters  a  very  loud  and  hoarse  mewing, 
praigh,  praigh.  As  soon,  however,  as  the  warm  weather 
begins  to  decline,  and  the  business  of  incubation  is 
finished,  about  the  beginning  of  August,  this  sad  and 


304 


INSECTIVOROUH    BIRDS. 


slow,  but  interesting  musician,  nearly  censes  his  song,  a 
few  feeble  farewell  notes  only  being  heard  to  the  first 
week  in  September. 

This  species,  like  the  rest  of  the  genus,   constructs  a 
very  beautiful  pendulous  nest,  aiiout   ',i  inches  deep,  and 
2^  in  diameter.      One,   which  I  now  more  particularly 
describe,  is  suspended  from  the  forked  twig  of  an  oak,  in 
the  near  neighbourhood  of  a  dwcllinghousc  in  the  coun- 
try.    It  is  attached  firmly  all  round  the  curving  twigs  by 
which   it  is  supported  ;  the  stoutest  external  materials  or 
skeleton  of  the  fabric   is  formed  of  interlaced   folds  of 
thin  strips  of  red  cedar  bark,  connected  very  intimately 
by  coarse  threads,  and  small  masses  of  the  silk  of  spiders' 
nests,  and  of  the  cocoons  of  large  moths.     These  threads 
are  moistened  by  the  glutinous  saliva  of  the  bird.  Among 
these  external  materials  are  also   blended  fine   blades  of 
dry  grass.     The   inside  is  thickly  i)edded    with  this  last 
material,  and  fine  root   fibres,  but  the   finishing  layer,  as 
if  to  preserve  elasticity,  is  of  rallior  coarse  grass-stalks. 
Externally  the  nest   is  coated  over  with  green  lichen,  at- 
tached very  artfully  by  slender  strings  of  caterpillars'  silk, 
and  the  whole  afterwards  tied   over  by  almost  invisible 
threads  of  the  same,  so  as  to  appear  as  if  glued  on  ;  and 
the   entire  fabric  now  resembles   an   accidental  knot  of 
the  tree  grown  over  with  moss.      Another  nest  was  fixed 
on   the   depending  branches  of  a  wild   cherry  tree,  40  or 
50  feet  from  the  ground.     This   was  formed  of    slender 
bass  strips  wound  crosswise,  and  held  down  with  cater- 
pillars' silk.  The  bottom  was  also  principally  floored  with 
large  fragments  of  white  paper,  the  whole  scattered  over 
sparingly  with  bits  of  lichen  and  spiders'  nests,  and  very 
delicately  lined  with  tops  of  fine  bent  grass.     The  eggs, 
about  4,   are  white,   with  a   few  deep  ink-colored   spots 
of  two  shades,  a  very  little  larger  than  those  on  the  eggs  of 


BOLITAIIY  VIREO,  OH  FLYCATCHER. 


80fi 


eases  his  song,  a 
eard  to  tlie  first 

us,  constructs  a 
indies  deep,  and 
lore  particularly 
w\^  of  an  oak,  in 
)U8C  in  the  coun- 
curving  twigs  by 
rnal  materials  or 
terlaced    folds  of 
1  very  intimately 
le  silk  of  spiders' 
Tiiese  threads 
the  bird.   Among 
ed  fine    hlades  of 
[.'d    with  tiiis  last 
inisliing  layer,  as 
arnc  grass-stalks. 
green  lichen,  al- 
caterpillars'  silk, 
r  almost  invisible 
if  glued  on  ;  and 
ccidental  knot  of 
ler  nest  was  fixed 
cherry  tree,  40  or 
brmed  of    slender 
down  with  cater- 
ipaily  floored  with 
ole  scattered  over 
s'  nests,  and  very 
grass.     The  eggs, 
ink-colored  spots 
lose  on  the  eggs  of 


the  Red-Eyed  Vireo,  and   chiefly   disposed   towards  the 
larger  end. 

The  food  of  this  species,  during  the  summer,  is  insects, 
but  towards  autumn  they  and  their  young  feed  also  on 
various  small  berries.  About  the  middle  of  September, 
the  whole  move  off  and  leave  the  United  States,  probably 
to  winter  in  tropical  America. 

The  Yellow-Tlirnnted  Vireo  is.'>4  inches  long,  and  0  in  alar  extent. 
Above  yellowish-olivp ;  throat,  breast,  and  line  over  the  eye  lemon- 
yellow  ;  ven»,  and  belly  white ;  leaser  wing-coverts,  lower  part  of 
the  back,  and  rump,  osli.  WingH  deep  brown,  almost  black,  with  8 
white  bars  ;  primaries  cdgod  with  pale  ash,  secondaries  with  white  ; 
tail  ;i  little  forked,  of  tlie  color  of  the  wings  ;  the  3  exterior  feathers 
edged  on  each  vane  with  white.  Leg.s,  feet,  and  bill,  greyish-blue 
Iris  hazel.  The  ftmnlc  and  young  have  the  yellow  on  the  breast, 
around  the  eye,  and  the  white  on  tlie  wings,  duller. 


SOLITARY  VIREO,  on  FLYCATCHER. 

(Vireo  solitarius,  \iF.ii.x..  Bonap.  Audubon,  pi.  28,  Orn.  Biog.  i. 
p.  147.     Miiseicnpa  solitaria,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  143.  pi.  17.  fig  6.j 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Dusky  olive  ;  head  bluish-grey  ;  line  from  the  up- 
per mandible  round  the  eye  whitish  ;  the  breast  pale  cinereous  ; 
the  belly  white,  yellow  on  each  side  ;  wings  with  2  wliite  bands, 
and  with  the  tail  dusky  brown. 

This  is  one  of  the  rarest  species  of  the  genus,  and  from 
Georgia  to  Pennsylvania  seems  only  as  a  straggler  or  ac- 
cidental visitor.  One  was  obtained  by  Wilson  in  Mr. 
Bartram's  woods  in  the  month  of  October.  According 
to  Audubon,  it  inhabits  and  breeds  occasionally  in  the 
cane-brakes,  and  vast  alluvial  lands  of  Louisiana  near 
the  banks  of  the  Mississippi.  The  nest,  as  usual,  is 
partly  pensile  from  the  forked  twigs  of  a  low  bush.  It  ia 
slightly  put  together,  coated  externally  with  grey  lichens, 
26* 


ill 


306 


INSECTIVOROUS    UIRDS. 


and  lined  with  the  hair  of  wild  animals.  The  cgg»,  4 
or  5,  are  white,  tinged  with  llesh-color,  with  brownish 
red  spots  at  the  larj^cr  end. 

It  possesnes  iHl  the  unsuspicious  habits  of  the  genus, 
allowinsj  a  near  approach  without  niarni,  and  is  at  no 
period  known  to  i)o.sses8  any  song.  It  seldom  rises  be- 
yond the  tops  of  the  canes  or  low  bushes,  amidst  wliich 
it  is  commonly  seen  hopping  in  quest  of  its  subsistence, 
which  consists  of  insects  and  berries.  Its  flight  is  gen- 
erally tremulous  and  agitated. 

This  uncommon  species  is  .'">  inches  long,  and  8  in  alar  extent. 
ThecheckH,  upper  part  of  tliP  li.'nd,  and  neck,  <lnrk  bluish-grey; 
hroust,  pale  cinereous,  inclining  to  reildisl.grcy  on  tlic  throat ;  flank* 
and  sides  of  the  breast  yellow  ;  back  and  tail-covtrls  dusky-olive  ; 
the  wings  dusky-brown,  with  2  white  bands;  primaries  and  tail- 
feathers  bordered  with  light  green  ;  tail  enuirginiite,  nearly  black  ; 
a  line  of  white  from  the  nostrils  to  the  eye,  which  it  .ilso  encircles. 
Belly  and  vent  while.  Bill  very  short,  and  nearly  as  broad  as 
in  the  true  Flycatchers.  Upper  mandible  black  ;  lower  pale  blu- 
ish-grey ;  legs  and  feet,  bluish-grey.  Irids  haze).  —  Female  with 
the  head  dusky-olive,  and  the  throat  greenish. 


WHITE-EYED  VIREO,  or  FLYCATCHER. 

{Vireo  noveboraccnsia,  Bonap.  Audubon,  pi.  f>3.  Ornith.  Biog.  i.  p. 

328.   Muscicapa  rant'ilrii,  Wii.soN,  ii.  p.  106.  pi.  18.  fig.  C.  Phil. 

Museum,  No.  0778.) 
Sp.  Chabact.  — Yellow-olive;    btneat  .   white,  sides  yellow;  line 

round  the  eye,  and  spot  near  the  nostrils  yellow  ;  wings  with  2 

pale  yellow  bands,  and  with  the  tail  blackish  ;  irids  white. 

This  interesting  little  bird  appears  to  be  a  constant 
resident  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States  ;  as,  on  the 
12th  of  January,  I  saw  them  in  great  numbers  near 
Charleston,  S.  C.  feeding  on  the  wax-myrtle  berries,  in 
company  with  the  Yellow-Rumped  Sylvias.  At  this  season 
they  were  silent,  but  very  familiar,  descending   from  the 


Is.  The  oj?g8,  4 
,   with    brownish 

ts  of  the  gnnuB, 
rill,  and  Ih  at  no 
seldom  rises  be- 
es, amidst  which 
r  its  wul)Histcnce, 
Its  flight  is  gen- 

nd  8  in  alar  extent, 
t,  dark  Muish-grey  ; 
jn  tin-  tlirofit ;  flank* 
jovtTls  dusky-olive  ; 

primarifB  and  tail- 
iiiate,  nearly  lilnck  ; 
lich  it  also  encircles. 

nearly  oh  broad  aa 
iick  ;  lower  palfl  blu- 
azel.  —  Ftmaie  with 


rCATCHER. 

3.  Ornith.  Biog.  i.  p. 
iJ.  pi.  18.  fig.  C.  Phil. 

>,  Bides  yellow;  line 
■ellow  ;  winjTs  with  2 
I  ;  irids  white. 

to  be  a  constant 
States  ;  as,  on  the 
at  numbers  near 
myrtle  berries,  in 
ias.  At  this  season 
icending   from  the 


WIIITR-EYED    VIRKO,    Olt    IXTCA.J'CHER.  307 


bushes  whrn  whistled  too,  and  peeping  cautiously,  came 
down  closo  to  me,  looking  about  with  coiii|)lact'nt  curios- 
ity, as  if  unconscious  of  any  danger.  In  the  last  week  of 
February,  Wilson  already  heard  them  singing  in  the 
aoutlicrn  |)arts  of  Georgia,  and  throughout  that  month  to 
March,  I  saw  them  in  the  swampy  thickets  nearly  every 
day,  so  that  they  undoubtedly  reside  and  pass  the  winter 
in  the  maritime  parts  of  the  Southern  States.  The  arri- 
val of  this  little  unsuspicious  warbler  in  Penn.sylvania 
and  New  England  is  usuallj||fibout  the  middle  of  April 
or  earlier.  On  the  12th  of  March  I  first  heard  his  voice 
in  the  low  thickets  of  West  Florida.  Ills  ditty  was  now 
simply  —  .s'.s7  (with  a  whistle)  wa  wittr  nnttv  tcf-wit,  (the 
1st  part  very  quick.)  As  late  as  the  first  week  in  May, 
I  observed  a  few  stragglers  in  this  vicinity  peeping 
through  the  bushes  ;  and  in  the  latter  end  of  the  month 
a  pair  had  taken  up  their  abode  in  the  thickets  of  Fresh 
Pond,  so  that  those  which  first  arrive  leave  us  and  pro- 
ceed further  to  the  north.  On  the  22d  of  June  I  heard 
the  male  in  full  song,  near  his  nest,  in  our  neighbourhood, 
where  incubation  was  going  on.  His  warble  was  very 
pleasing,  though  somewhat  monotonous  and  whimsical. 
This  afli;ctionate  note,  often  repeated,  near  to  his  faithful 
mate  while  confined  to  her  nest,  was  Wke  ' tshippcwee-w6>- 
say  'tshippiwi'i-wee-was-say,  sweetly  whistled,  and  with 
a  greater  compass  of  voice  and  loudness,  than  might 
have  been  expected  from  the  size  of  the  little  vocalist. 
The  song  is  sometimes  changed  two  or  three  times  in  the 
course  of  twenty  minutes ;  and  I  have  heard  the  following 
phrases  ;  'att  tshippewat  'wurr,  tshippcicat  'wurr ;  at  an- 
other time,  'tshipewny  'tshe  6  ct  'tsherr.  On  another  visit 
the  little  performer  had  changed  his  song  to  'pip  t6 
waigh  d  tshewa,  with  a  guttural  trill,  as  usual,  at  the  last 
syllable.  He  soon  however  varied  his  lay  to  'whip  tc  wot  wee, 


H 


u 


til 


30ft 


INHEC'TIVOnoUi)  niRnR. 


the  Inst  sylliil)Ie  l)iitonc  considerably  Ienj?tliencd  and  clear- 
ly whistlfMl.  Such  wero  thccaptiouH  variations  of  this  lit- 
tle quaint  and  peculiarly  earnest  musician,  whose  notes 
are  probably  almost  conliniinily  vnried.  On  the  (Uh  of  Oc- 
tober, I  still  heard  one  of  thcxe  wandering  little  minstrels, 
who,  at  intervals,  had  for  several  weeks  visited  the  gar- 
den, probably  in  quest  of  berri"S.  His  short,  (juaint,  and 
more  i,'u(tural  sonii,  was  now  ittshfr-rmt,  (probably  the 
attempt  of  a  young  bird.)  As  late  as  the  iJOth  of  October 
the  White-Kyed  Vireo  still  |||ngered  around  Cambridge, 
and,  on  the  margin  of  a  pond,  surrounded  by  weeds  and 
willows,  he  was  actively  enq)loyed  in  gleaning  up  irs^cts 
and  their  larva;  :  and  now,  with  a  feebler  tone  of  Vi;ice, 
warbled  with  uncommon  sweetness,  wholly  (iiffcrcnt 
from  his  usiual  strain,  souirding  something  like  the  sweet 
whisperings  of  tiie  Song  Simrrow,  at  the  present  season, 
and  was  i)erhaps  an  atlemjit  at  mimickry.  Occasionally, 
also,  he  lilended  in  his  harsher,  scolding,  or  querulous 
mewing  call.  From  this  journal,  it  must  be  evident, 
that  the  present  species  retires  no  furtl :<>r  for  winter  quar- 
ters than  the  southern  parts  of  the  i  /ited  States,  where 
many  also  breed,  as  would  appear,  from  the  concomi- 
tant circumstance  of  their  music  ;  nor  is  it  at  all  improb- 
able that  the  species  may  likewise  inhabit  the  maritime 
parts  of  Mexico,  as  well  as  Louisiana. 

This  species,  like  the  rest,  builds  commonly  a  pensile 
nest,  suspended  by  the  upper  edge  of  the  two  sides  on  the 
circular  bend,  often,  of  the  smilax  or  green-briar  vine. 
It  is  composed  of  slender  twigs,  grassy  fibres,  pieces  of 
paper,  sometimes  newspapers,  or  fragments  of  hornets' 
nests  ;  the  interior  is  lined  with  slender  root  fibres.  The 
whole  fabric  appears  tc  me,  as  far  as  my  opportunities 
have  extended,  like  the  Cat-Bird's  nest  in  miniature. 
The  eggs  are  4  or  5,   white,  marked  at  the  larger  end 


WAUBLINU  VIRRO. 


309 


liencd  and  clear* 
niouH  of  tliis  lit- 
111,  whose  notes 
)ii  ilie  (Ul)  of  Oc- 
r  little  ininfltrelH, 
I  viflitcd  the  gar- 
lioit,  (jiinint,  and 
/,  (|>robal)ly  the 
iJOih  of  October 
und  Cambridge, 
mI  by  weeds  and 
■aiiiii);  "P  ir.s^cts 
cr  tont!  of  Vwice, 
wholly  (iifltrcnt 
!ig  like  the  sweet 
R  present  sennon, 
.  OccaHionally, 
jg,  or  queriilcus 
must  be  evident, 
r  for  winter  qiiar- 
ed  States,  where 
m  the  concomi- 
1  ii  at  all  iinprob- 
bit  the   maritime 

umonly  a  pensile 

!  two  Hides  on  the 

green-briar  vine. 

fibres,   pieces  of 

nents  of  hornets' 

root  fibres.   The 

my  opportunities 

38t  in  miniature. 

It  the  larger  end 


with  a  few  small  spots  of  blackish  brown.  In  the  Middle 
States  they  often  raise  2  broods  in  tlu;  f<e»soii,  generally 
make  choicM-  of  thorny  thickets  for  their  nest,  ii«d  show 
much  concern  whi'u  it  is  approached,  descending  within 
a  few  feet  of  the  intruder,  looking  down,  und  hoarsely 
mewinjr  and  scold injj  with  great  earnestness.  This  pet- 
ulant display  of  irritability  is  also  continued  when  the 
brood  are  approacli.-d,  though  as  large  and  as  active 
as  their  vigilant  and  vociferous  parents.  In  the  Middle 
States  this  is  a  common  species,  but  in  Massachusetts 
rather  rare.  Its  food,  like  the  rest  of  the  Vireos,  is  in- 
sects and  virions  kinds  of  berries ;  for  the  former  of 
which  it  hunts  with  great  agility,  attention,  and  industry. 

Tli.>  White-Eye  is  f.J  IncheH  long,  aiul  7  in  extent ;  wings 
and  tail  ilunky  Itrowii,  fdired  with  olive-tureen,  the  lutter  forked. 
Bill,  legs,  nnd  tVet  light  bluinli-grey  ;  liie  sides  of  tiie  neck  incline 
togreyisii-agh.  Female  und  ijouiig  icarcely  distinguJHliable  in  plu- 
mage Iruni  the  male. 


WARBLING  VIREO. 

{Vino gilcus,  UoNAP.  Muscicupa  melodiii,  Wilson,  v.  p.  85.  pi.  42. 
fig.  3.  M.  giha,  Vieii.l.) 

Sp.  CiiAiiAtr.  — Pale  green  olive;  head  and  neck  dilute  a«h-color ; 
boneuth,  and  line  over  the  eye,  whitish  ;  wings  pale  dusky 
brown,  without  bands  ;  irids  brown  ;  1st  and  .")th  priniaiies  about 
equal ;  tail  extending  more  than  an  inch  beyond  the  closed  wings. 

Tnis  sweetest  and  most  constant  warbler  of  the  for- 
est, extending  his  northern  migrations  probably  to  the 
confines  of  Canada,  arrives  from  tropical  America  in 
Pennsylvania  about  the  middle  of  April,  and  reaches  this 
part  of  New  England  early  in  May.  His  livery,  like 
that  of  the  Nightingale,  is  plain  and  unadorned;  but 
the  sweet  melody  of  his  voice,  surpassing,  as  far  as  na- 
ture usually  surpasses  art,  the  tenderest  airs  of  the  flute, 


111 


.■:S 


31U 


INHECTIVOnOlfll   IIIIU>H. 


poured  out  often  from  the  riniiig  <liiwii  kI'  «lay  to  the  ap- 
proach of  evrnin>{,  and  vij^orouH  oven  during  llie  wultry 
heat  of  iiodii,  wlien  most  otlicr  l>ir(ls  arc  silent,  nivcs  ad- 
ditional intert'st  to  this  litth;  vocalist.  While  chantinj^ 
forth  luH  e««y,  lUiwing,  tender  airs,  apparently  without 
effort,  8o  contrasted  with  the  interrupted  enipliutical  song 
of  the  Red-I'.ye,  he  i-  ^'lidinj{  along  the  tliick  and  leafy 
brandies  of  our  majestic  CIms,  and  tallest  trees,  busied  in 
queHt  of  his  restless  insect  prey.  With  us,  as  in  Penn- 
sylvania, the  species  is  almost  wholly  confined  to  our  vil- 
lages, and  even  cities.  Thoy  are  rarely  ever  observed  in 
the  woods ;  but  from  the  tall  trees  which  decorate  the 
streets  and  lanes,  the  almost  invisible  musician,  secured 
from  the  enemies  of  the  forest,  is  heard  to  cheer  the 
house  and  cottage  with  his  untiring  sonj?.  As  late  as 
the  2d  of  October  I  still  distinguished  lii.s  tiinelui  voice, 
from  amidst  the  yellow  fading  leaves  of  the  linden,  near 
which  he  had  passed  away  the  summer.  The  approach- 
ing dissolution  of  those  delightful  connexions,  which 
had  been  cemented  by  affection,  and  the  cheerless  still- 
ness of  autumn,  still  called  up  a  feeble  and  plaintive 
reverie.  Some  days  after  this  late  period,  warmed  by 
the  mild  rays  of  the  morning  sun,  I  lieard,  as  it  were, 
faintly  warbled,  a  parting  whisper  ;  and  about  the  middle 
of  this  month,  our  vocal  woods  and  fields  were  once 
more  left  in  dreary  silence. 

"  And  tlirongh  tlie  sndilen'd  grove  [now]  Bonrce  U  heard 
One  dying  strain,  to  cheer  the  woodman's  toil. 
While  congregated  Thrushes,  Linnets,  Larkn, 
And  each  wild  thront,  whose  urtless  strains  so  late 
Swell'd  all  the  music  of  the  swarming  sliudes, 
Robb'd  of  their  tuneful  [songs],  now  shivering  sit 
On  the  dead  tree,  a  dull,  despondent  flock  ; 
■ft'ith  nought  save  [plaintive]  discord  in  their  note," 


TIIR   WARHI.INU  VIRF.O. 


311 


of  dny  to  the  ap- 
(luriiif;  tlic  Hultry 
re  MJli'iit,  jjivi's  nil- 
\V'liil<;  cliiiiitin^ 
ppart'iitly  without 
<l  (-iiiphiiticul  Hong 
h(!  thick  (111(1  Icmfy 
t'Hl  trccM,  biisii'il  ill 
til  us,  IIS  ill  Pcnii- 
;onruii!tl  to  our  vil- 
y  over  observed  in 
hi(;h  decorate  the 
inusician,  secured 
eard  to  cheer  the 
sonif.  Ah  late  as 
hiA  tiiiicliil  voice, 
if  the  liiidcu,  near 
ir.  The  appronch- 
HinnexioiiH,  which 
tiie  ciieerlcss  still- 
d)le  and  plaintive 
)eriod,  warmed  by 
lieard,  as  it  were, 
[1  about  the  middle 
fields   were  once 


v]  scarce  i*  heard 
lan'ii  toil. 
ijLarkr), 
rainH  so  late 
r  slmdeg, 
shivering  sit 
flock  , 
in  their  note," 


The  Warlding  Virco  ia  indeed  allied  to  the  genus  of 
the  Nightingale  {Si/f>'ia),  whose  song,  from  the  descrip- 
tion of  Mr.  White  iii  his  Natural  History  of  .Selbournc, 
bears  considerable  resemblance  to  that  of  the  Ulack-capt 
Flycatcher  (Muscimpa  alhicolli.i  of  Temminck.)  When 
offended  or  irritated,  our  bird  utters  an  angry  '(!</i(ii/  'tsiiai/, 
like  the  C'at-Hiid  and  the  otbtir  Vini'is,  and  somclVitftca 
makes  a  loud  snapping  with  his  bill,  The  nest  of  the  War- 
bling Vireo  is  generally  pendiih^is,  and  ambitiously  and 
securely  suspended  at  great  elevations.  In  our  Elms  I 
have  seen  one  of  these  airy  cradles  at  the  very  summit 
of  one  of  the  most  gigantic,  more  than  MM»  feet  from  the 
ground.  At  other  times  they  are  not  more  than  50  to  70 
feet  high.  Tin-  only  nest  I  have  been  able  to  examine 
was  mode  externally  of  flat  and  dry  sedge-grass  blades, 
for  which,  as  I  have  observed,  is  occasionally  substituted 
strings  of  bass.  These  dry  blades  and  strips  are  con- 
fin(!d  and  lied  into  the  usual  circular  form  by  caterpillars' 
silk,  blended  with  bits  of  wool,  silk-weed  lint,  and  an 
accidental  and  sparing  mixture  of  vernal-grass  tops  and 
old  apple  blos.soins.  It  was  then  very  neatly  lined  with 
the  smoll  flat  blades  of  the  meadow  grass,  called  Poa  rom- 
j)rf.<sa.  Tin-  eggs,  4,  on  which  the  bird  was  already  sit- 
ting, were  pure  white,  with  a  few  small  blackish  purple 
spots  of  tvvosizes,  and  .some  confluent,  stragglinj,',  hair-like 
lines,  disposed  chiefly  around  the  greater  end.  The  size 
of  these  eggs  is  very  perceptibly  smaller  than  those  of 
the  Red-Eyed  Vireo,  in  one  of  whose  nests  I  have  seen 
two  eggs  of  this  species  deposited,  as  well  as  one  laid  by 
the  Cow  Troopial !  an  accidental  parasitic  practice, 
urged  probably  by  the  neglect  of  not  providing  a  nest  for 
the  immediate  occasion. 

The  length  of  tliis  bird  is  about  .5  inches.    Above  pale  olive-^een, 
much  mixed  with  ai,h  on  the  neck  and  shoulders.     Line  over  the 


^b| 


312 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


eye  and  lower  parts  whitish ;  near  tlie  breast  and  sides  under  the 
wings  tinged  with  pale-greenisii  yellow.  Wings  greyish-brown, 
edged  with  pale  olive-green,  inclining  to  grey.  The  tail  also  simi- 
larly edged,  and  sligiitly  forked.  Legs,  feet,  and  bill  above,  lead- 
color  ;  the  lower  mandible  pale  flesh-color.  Iris  dark  hazel.  The 
■exes  nearly  alike. 


RED-EYED  VIREO,  or  FLYCATCHER. 

(Vireo  olivaceus,  Bonap.  Musicapa  olivacca,  Lin.  Wilson,  ii.  p.  55. 

pi.  12.  fig.  3.    Pliilad.  Museum,  No.  ()()75.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  Yellow-olive  ;  crown  ash,  with  a  dark  lateral  line  ; 

line  over  the  eye,  and  all  beneath,  whitish  ;  wings  without  bands  ; 

irids  red  ;  1st  primary  much  longer  than  the  .^th.  —  Young  with 

the  eye  dark  hazel. 

This  common  and  indefatigable  songster  appears  to 
inhabit  every  part  of  the  American  continent  from  Lab- 
rador to  the  largo  tropical  islands  of  Jamaica  and  St. 
Domingo ;  they  are  likewise  resident  in  the  mild  table 
land  of  Mexico.*  Those  who  pass  the  summer  with  us, 
however,  migrate  to  the  warmer  regions  at  the  com- 
mencement of  winter,  as  none  are  found  at  that  season 
within  the  limits  of  the  United  States.     The  Red-Eyed 


*  BuIlock*s  memoirs  on  the  birds  of  Mexico. 


DS. 

■ast  and  sides  under  the 
Wings  greyisli-brown, 
ey.  The  tail  also  simi- 
;et,  and  bill  above,  lead- 
.     Iris  dark  hazel.     The 


.YCATCHER. 

!,  LiN.  Wii.soN,  ii.  p.  55. 
1,  No.  ()()75.) 

witli  a  dark  lateral  line  ; 
di ;  wings  without  bands  ; 
,n  the  r-th.  —  Young  with 

!  songster   appears  to 
1  continent  from  Lab- 
of  Jamaica  and   St. 
ent  in   the  mild  table 
the  summer  with  us, 
regions  at    the  corn- 
found   at  that  season 
ites.     The  Red-Eyed 

its  of  Mezice. 


RED-EYED  VIREO,  OR  FLYCATCHER. 


313 


Vireo  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  late  in  April,  and  in  New 
England  about  the  beginning  of  May.  It  inhabits  the 
shady  forests  or  tall  trees  near  gardens  and  the  suburbs 
of  villages,  where  its  loud,  lively,  and  energetic  song  is 
often  continued,  with  little  intermission,  for  several  hours 
at  a  time,  as  it  darts  and  pries  among  the  thick  foliage 
in  quest  of  insects  and  small  caterpillars.  From  its  first 
arrival,  until  August,  it  is  the  most  distinguishable  warb- 
ler of  the  forest,  and  when  almost  all  the  other  birds 
have  become  mute,  its  notes  are  still  hetird  with  unabat- 
ed vigor.  Even  to  the  5th  of  October,  still  enlivened  by 
the  feeble  rays  of  the  sun,  he  faintly  recalls  his  song,  and 
plaintively  tunes  a  farewell  to  his  native  woods.  His 
summer  notes  are  uttered  in  short,  emphatical  bars,  of  2 
or  3  syllables,  and  have  something  in  them  like  the  sim- 
ple lay  of  the  Thrush  or  American  Robbin  when  he  first 
earnestly  and  slowly  commences  his  song.  He  often  makes 
use,  in  fact,  of  the  same  expressions,  but  his  tones  are 
more  monotonous  as  well  as  mellow  and  melodious,  like 
the  rest  of  the  Vireos.  In  moist  and  dark  summer 
weather,  his  voice  seems  to  be  one  continued,  untiring 
warble  of  exquisite  sweetness  ;  and  in  the  most  populous 
and  noisy  streets  of  Boston,  his  shrill  and  tender  lay  is 
commonly  heard  from  the  tall  Elms ;  and  as  the  bustle 
of  carts  and  carriages  attempt  to  drown  his  voice,  he 
elevates  his  pipe  with  more  vigor  and  earnestness,  as  if 
determined  to  be  heard  in  spite  of  every  discord.  The 
call  of  "  Wliip-Tom-kelbj ,"  attributed  to  this  species 
by  Sloane  and  even  Wilson,  I  have  never  heard,  and, 
common  as  the  species  is  throughout  the  Union,  the  most 
lively  or  accidental  fit  of  imagination  never  yet,  in  this 
country,  conceived  of  such  an  association  of  sounds.  I 
have  already  remarked,  indeed,  that  this  singular  call  is, 
in  fact,  sometimes  uttered  by  the  Tufted  Titmouse. 
27 


;  4 


*  -'}'    I  : 


i 


314 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


When   our  Vireo   sings   slow   enough   to   be   distinctly 
heard,  the   following   sweetly  warbled  phrases,  variously 
transposed  and  tuned,  may  often  be  caught  by  the  atten- 
tive   listener  :    'tshooc  prwce  prrai    mii^ik  'dn    'du    'du, 
•tshoove  'here  'here,  hcnr  hire,  'k'ing  'rilshard,  'p'shegru 
'tshrvu,  'Uhcevoo   'tskiwn-  pccatt   'piroi.     The  whole  de- 
livered almost  without  any  sensible  interval,  with  earnest 
animation,  in  a  pathetic,  tender,  and  pleasing  strain,  well 
calculated   to  produce  calm  and  thoughtful    reflection  m 
the    sensitive   mind.      Yet   while   this  heavenly  reverie 
strikes  on  the   human  ear   with  such  peculiar  effect,  the 
humble   musician  himself  seems  but   little    concerned  ; 
for  all  the  while,  perhaps,  that  this  flowing  chorus  enchants 
the  hearer,   he  is  casually  hopping  from  spray  to  spray 
in  quest  of  his  active  or   crawling  prey,   and  if  a  cessa- 
tion  occurs  in  his   almost  untiring  lay,  it  is  occasioned 
by  the  caterpillar  or  fly  he  has  just  fortunately  captured. 
So  unaffected  are  these  delightful  efforts  of  instinct,  and 
so  unconscious  is  the  performer,  apparently,  of  this  pleas- 
ing  faculty  bestowed  upon  him   by  nature,  that   he  may 
truly  be  considered,  as   a  messenger  of  harmony  to  man 
alone,  appointed  by  the  fiat  of  Creative  power.     Wanton- 
ly to  destroy  these  delightful    aids  to  sentimental  happi- 
ness  ought  therefore  to  be  viewed,  not  only  as  an  act  of 
barbarity,  but  almost  as  a  sacrilege  ! 

The  Red-Eye,  in  the  month  of  May,  builds  a  small,  neat, 
pensile  nest,  suspended  between  the  forked  and  depending 
twigs  of  some  young  and  slender  forest  tree.*  It  is  firmly 
attached  by  the  whole  of  the  2  upper  edges,  and  fixed  at 
a  height  of  from  4  or  5  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.  It 
is  commenced  by  narrow  loops  of  tenaceous  materials 
passed  from  twig  to  twig,  which  are  successively  . ncreas- 

'7^;:;;;;^.nrecl.ieflyraadointho  n.aple,  boech.  birch,  oak,  hornbeam,  and  tree 
cornel,)  CcrnusJlDTida,  L.) 


1 


to    1)6    distinctly 
lirases,  variously 
^lit  by  the  atten- 
■iilc  '(III    'du   'flu, 
tshard,  'p's/iegru 
The  whole  de- 
val,  with  earnest 
ising  strain,  well 
tful    reflection  in 
heavenly  reverie 
jculiar  effect,  the 
ittlo    concerned  ; 
g chorus  enchants 
in  spray  to  spray 
,   and  if  a  cessa- 

it  is  occasioned 
unately  captured. 
s  of  instinct,  and 
ntly,of  this  pleas- 
lure,  that  he  may 

harmony  to  man 

power.     Wanton- 

cr.timental  happi- 

only  as  an  act  of 

iiildsa  small,  neat, 
ced  and  depending 
tree.*  It  is  firmly 
sdges,  and  fixed  at 
m  the  ground.  It 
naceous  materials 
ccessively  increas- 

oh, oak,  hornbeam,  and  tieo 


t 


RED-EYED  VIUEO  OR  FLYCATCHER. 


315 


cd  in  width  to  the  size  intended  ;  the  front  is  then   car- 
ried upwards  in  the  same  manner  to  complete  tlie  circu- 
lar frame,  the  whole   being  .sulliciently  agglutinated   into 
a  thin  pouch,  to  which  is  attached  all  the  other  necessary 
parts  of  the    fabric.       The  external   circular  layers  or 
loops  consist  of  thin  strips  of  grape-vine,  paper-birch,  or 
red   cedar  bark   and  ba?3,  agglutinated  together.     These 
coarse  materials  are  then  well  tied  over  each  other,  out- 
side with  .slender  strings  of  bass,  and   others  of  caterpil- 
lars' webs,  or  the  silk  of  cocoons  of  the  larger  moths,  all 
rendered  more  or  less  manageble  by  the  assistance  of  the 
adhesive  saliva.     Refractory  fragments  of  rotten  wood, 
coiled  ends  of   white-birch  bark,  and  spiders'  nests  com- 
monly remain  outside,  as  if   for  ornament ;    but  some  of 
theni   are   often  only    the   extra  remains  of  materials  or 
their  ends,  parts  of  which  are   interwoven  or  filled   into 
the  nest.     At  other  times  the   outside   appears  wrought 
evenly,  and   without  any  attempt   at  fanciful   decoration. 
The   inside   of  the  nest   is   closely    and  elegantly  lined 
•with  fibrous    grass,   minute   wiry  leaf-stalks,    and   some- 
times very  slender    hemlock  fir   twigs,  but  chielly  with 
fine,  dry  pine  leaves,  and  almost  similar   minute  strips  or 
strings  of  grape-vine  bark.     These  nests,  like  little  cir- 
cular baskets,  are  put  together  with  so  much  neatness  and 
firmness,  that   they  sometimes   survive  the  action  of  the 
weather  for  a  year  ;   and  Wilson  knew  an  instance  where 
the  nest  of  the  Yellow-bird  was  built  in  the  cavity  of  one 
which  had  survived  the  season.    When  thus  left,  they  are 
sometimes  also  taken  possession  of  very  economically  by 
the  mice,  who  make  use  of  other   nests  likewise  for  the 
same  purpose.      The  eggs  are  about  '\  or  4,  white  ;  with 
a  few  distinct  small  spots  of  blackish  brown,  of  2  shades, 
disposed  at  the  greater  end.     They  often   raise  3  broods 
in  the  season, 


m 


I 


316 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


The  Red-Eyed  Vireo  is  one  of  the  most  favorite  of  all 
the  adopted  nurses  of  the  Cow-bird,  and  the  remarkable 
gentleness  of  its  disposition   and   watcliful   affection   for 
the  safety  of  its  young,  or   of  the   foundling  confided  to 
its  care,   amply  justifies  this  selection  of  »  foster  parent. 
The  male,   indeed,  defends  liis   nest,  while   his  mate   is 
sitting,   with  as  much  spirit  as   the   king-bird,   driving 
away  every  intruder,  and  compUiining  in  a  hoarse  mew- 
ing tone  when    approached    by  any   inquisitive  observer. 
By  accident,   the  eggs   were  destroyed   in  a  nesi  of  this 
species   in  the  Botanic  Garden,   in  a  sugar-maple  about 
20  feet  from   the   ground.    At  tliis  time   no  complaints 
were    heard,   and  th^  male  sang  all   day  as  cheerful    as 
before.     In   a   few   days,   unwilling  to   leave  the  neigh- 
bourhood,  they  had  made  a   second  nest  in  a  beech  at 
the  opposite  side  of  the   same   premises;  but  now    the 
male  drove  away  every  feathered  intruder  with  the  great- 
est temerity.     The  young  of  this  species  are  often  hatch- 
ed in  about   13  days,  or  24  hours  later  than  the  parasitic 
Troopial  ;    but  for   want  of  room  the  smaller   young  are 
usually   stifled  or   neglected.     I  have,  however,  seen  in 
one  nest  a  surviving  bird  of  each  kind  in  a  fair  way   for 
being  reared  ;  yet,  by  a  singular  infatuttion,  the  supposi- 
titious bird  appeared  by  far  the  most  assiduously  attend- 
ed, and  in  this  case  the  real  young  of  the  species  seemed 
to  be  treated  as  puny  foundlings. 

In  the  month  of  August,  tiie  young  fed  greedily  on 
the  small  berries  of  the  bitter  cornel,  and  astringent 
Viburnum  drntaUm,  as  wel'  as  other  kinds.  One  of  these 
inexperienced  birds  hopped  close  round  me  in  an  adjoin- 
ing bL"sh,  without  any  fearful  apprehension ;  and,  as  late 
as  the  26th  of  October,  two  young  birds  of  the  Red-Eye 
were  still  lingering  in  this  vicinity,  and  busily  engaged 
in  gleaning  subsistence.  Eager  after  flies,  about  the 
25th  of  August,  a    young  bird  with  hazel  instead  of  red 


tlED-EYEn  VIREO,  OR  FLYCATCHER. 


317 


ist  favorite  of  all 
I  the  remarkable 
ful   aiTectiou   for 
dling  confided  to 
»,  foster  parent, 
'hile   his  mate  is 
ing-bird,   driving 
n  a  hoarse  mew- 
[uisitivc  observer, 
ill  a  nesk  of  this 
igar-maple  about 
le   no  complaints 
ly  as  clieerfiil    a.s 
leave  the  ncigh- 
est  in  a  beech  at 
es;  but  now    the 
ler  witii  the  great- 
s  are  often  hatcii- 
than  the  parasitic 
mailer   young  are 
however,  seen  in 
in  a  fair  way   for 
ition,  the  supposi- 
ssiduously  attend- 
he  species  seemed 

g  fed  greedily  on 
;1,  and  astringent 
nds.  One  of  these 
J  nie  in  an  adjoin- 
ision  ;  and,  as  late 
Is  of  the  Red-Eye 
id  busily  engaged 
!r  flies,  about  the 
zel  instead  of  red 


eyes,  entered  a  ciiamber  in  tiic  iiciglibouriiood,  and  be- 
came my  inmate.  I  clipped  his  wing,  and  left  him  at 
large  in  a  room  ;  he  soon  became  very  gentle,  tooii  grass- 
hoppers and  Hies  out  of  my  liand,  cat  Vihiiniiim  berries 
with  a  good  ai)pctite,  and,  in  siiort,  seemed  pleased  with 
his  cpiarters.  A  fly  could  not  stir  but  it  was  instantly 
caught  ;  his  only  difliculty  was  with  a  lame  King-bird 
who  occupied  the  same  apartment.  The  king  appear- 
ed very  jealous  of  this  little  harmless  compiiuiou  ;  f^nap- 
ped  his  bill  at  him  when  he  approached,  and  begrudged 
him  his  subsistence,  when  he  perceived  that  he  fed  on 
the  same  food  with  liini^<elf.  At  length,  he  would  come 
to  me  for  provision,  and  for  protection  from  his  tyranni- 
cal associate.  But  tliC  career  of  my  interesting  and  live- 
ly companion  was  soon  terminated  by  death, occasioned,  in 
all  probability,  by  a  <liarrlia'a,  produced  in  consetiucnce  of 
swallowing  a  small  lock  of  hair  with  his  food  w'lich  was 
found  in  his  stomach.  This  bird,  very  diflerent  from  a>%/- 
via  (iiitinnnali^,  which  I  afterwards  had  in  my  possession, 
regurgitated  by  the  bill,  like  the  King-bird,  pellets  of  the 
indigestible  parts  of  his  food,  such  as  the  legs  ami  wings 
of  grasshoppers  and  flies,  and  the  skins  and  seeds  of 
berries.  Unlike  tlio  Kiug-bird,  in  one  particular,  how- 
ever, he  folded  his  head  und^r  his  wing  when  at  rest, 
and  reposed  with  great  soundness,  whereas  for  eight 
months  I  was  never  able  to  detect  the  former  asleep. 

I'liis  species  is  about  (!  inches  lon^.  Tiie  crown  deep  ash,  bor- 
dered on  each  siile  by  a  line  of  blackish,  below  wliicli  is  a  line  of 
white  passing  a  little  bc3ond  the  eye ;  the  bill  rather  lonju-,  dusky 
above,  and  i)ale  below.  Inner  webs  of  the  wings  and  tail  dusky,  the 
outer,  like  the  rest  of  the  upper  parts,  yellow  olive,  the  folded  wings 
e.\tend  within  about  J^  an  inch  of  the  tip  of  the  tail.  Beneath  white, 
tinged  on  the  breast  and  sides  with  pale  yellow.  Tail  slightly  fork- 
ed. Legs  and  feet  light  bluish-grey.  Iris  of  the  adult  red.  lu  tlie 
female  the  colors  are  a  little  more  obscure. 


•iP 


3ld 


INSECTIVOROUH  BIRDS. 


VIGOR'S  VIllEO. 

(Vireo  Vigoraii.  Audubon,  pi.  30.  male.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  1.'3.) 
Sp.  CiiAKACT.  —  DiiHky  olive,  tliroiititrreyisli,  breast  ochre  yellow; 
belly  nearly  white  ;    wiiijrs  and  tail  bliiokish,  the  former  with  2 
white  bands  ;  some  of  the  lateral  tail-feathers  white  on  their  in- 
ner webs. 

An  individuiil  of  this  very  rare  l)ir(l  waw  shot  by  its 
discoverer  many  years  ago  on  an  island  in  Porkionien 
creek,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  has  never  since  been  seen 
by  any  naturalist. 

Some  part  of  the  throat  nnd  breast  pale  lemon  yellow.  Rump 
creeiiish.  Wingn  edged  with  diinky  brown  ;  Ud  primary  bmgcst. 
Bill  dusky.  Feet  and  legs  yellowish  flesh  color.  Iris  dark  browft. 
Tail  a  little  fiirked 

NoTK.   In  the  text,  vol.  i.  p.  153,  this  bird  is  described  as  a  Sijltia. 


THE  TIIKUSIIES.     (Tuiinus.  Lin.) 

In  these  birds  the  vu.i.  is  of  moderate  dimensions  with  cutting 
edges,  and  compressed  and  curved  towards  the  point;  tiie  upper  man- 
dible  is  generally  notclu-d  towards  the  extremity,  the  lower  round- 
ish ;  there  are  also  a  few  scattered  bristles  near  Uie  opening  of  the 
bill.  Nostrils  basal,  lateral,  ^mded,  and  half  closed  by  a  naked 
membrane.  Tongue  fringed  aiflT notched  at  tip.  —  FeU  rather  stout, 
the  tarsus  longer  than  the  middle  toe,  which  is  attached  at  base  to 
the  outer  one.  m»!,'s  sh.rt  or  moderate  ;  the  first  primary  short,  or  of 
moderate  length  ;  :Jd,  4th,  or  .Sth  priniaries  longest.  Scapulars  hardly 
longer  than  the  secondaries.  -  The /tm«/c  and  younir  differ  hule 
from  the  male.     The  young,  however,  are  more  spotted.   The  moult 

is  annual. 

They  generally  live  in  pairs  only  during  the  period  of  reproduc- 
tion ;  both  sexes  sometimes  assist  in  incubation,  and  the  male  is 
often  observed  to  f.ed  his  mate  while  thus  engaged.  They  migrate 
in  large  companies,  or  remain  sedentary  in  the  warmer  parts  of 
Europe,  and  the  milder  states  of  the  American  union.    They  hve  on 


og.  i.  p.  l.'.'J.) 

it  ochre  yellow ; 
lie  formtT  witli  2 
hite  on  their  in- 

vas  shot  by  its 

ill  Porkioinen 

iicc  been  seen 


-.  yellow.  Rump 
primary  longest. 
Iris  dark  browft. 


rlbed  as  a  Sijltia. 


Lin.) 

ions  with  cutting 
t ;  the  upper  nian- 

the  lower  round- 
le  opei\ing  of  the 
:losed  by  a  naked 

Feet  rather  stout, 
Itached  at  base  to 
•riniary  shortjorof 
Scapulars  hardly 
louni;  ditlVr  little 
(otted.   The  moult 

eriod  of  reproduc- 
1,  and  the  male  is 
>d.  They  migrate 
!  warmer  parts  of 
ion.    They  live  on 


II 


i 


] 


THE  THRUSHES. 


aio 


insects,  worms,  and  berries,  swallow  earth  and  gravel  to  assist  diges- 
tion, but  diijrorge  the  kernels  and  hard  seeds  of  fruit,  and  are  also 
easily  fed  on  bread  aiul  other  farinaceous  food.  They  excel  in  song, 
and  are  the  most  |)owerful  of  feathered  musicians.  Their  flesh  is 
also  esteemed  (but  their  lives  and  labors  to  the  husbandman  are  In- 
finitely more  valuiil)le).  Every  country  and  climate  possesses  spe- 
cies of  this  interesting  genus. 


Subgenus.  —  Ohphkus. 

With  the  bill  elongated  and  considerably  curved  throughout.  In 
tliese  the  voire  is  powerful  and  eminently  melodious,  and  they  (lis. 
play  usually  a  talent  for  mimickry.  By  the  uniformity  of  their 
haunts,  they  live  apparently  paired  for  several  seasons,  and  evince 
more  sagacity  ond  intelligence  than  any  other  musical  birds  hitherto 
known. 


! 


1, 


1,4  '> 


4 


:;;';»- 


THE  MOCKING  BIllJ). 

fTurdusj)nhjs'oUii.s,  LiN.  Wilson,  ii.  p.  i;i.  pi.  10.  fi?.  1-  Auditbon, 
pi.  ai .  [a  spiritf  (1  group  and  nest  attnckfd  liy  a  RuUIp  Snake.] 
Orpin  11.1  polijgloltiis,  Sw.\iNSoN.    riiilad.   Museum,  No.  rii-Jf^.) 

Sp.  Chabact.  — Cinereous;  beneath  whitish;  tips  of  the  wing- 
coverts,  primaries  at  base,  and  lateral  tail-feathers,  white ;  tail 
cuneiform. 

This  unrivalled  Orpheus  of  the  forest,  and  natural 
wonder  of  America,  inhul)it.s  the  whole  continent,  from 
the  state  of  Rhode  Island  to  the  larger  i.sles  of  the  West 
Indies,  and  continuing  through  tiie  equatorial  regions,  is 
found  in  the  southern  honiispherc  as  far  as  Bra/il.  Nor 
is  it  at  all  confined  to  the  Eastern  or  Atlantic  states.  It 
also  exists  in  the  wild  territory  of  Arkansa  more  than  a 
thousand  miles  from  the  mouth  of  Red  River.     It  breeds 


MOCKINCi   niRT). 


321 


).  (12.  1.  AuniiBON, 
y  a  Uiiltli'  Snake.] 
eviui,  No.  iVi^'H.) 

tipH  of  tlie  wing- 
alliers,  white ;   tail 

3st,  and  natural 
continent,  from 
sles  of  the  West 
torial  regions,  is 
as  Bra/il.  Nor 
antic  states.  It 
isa  more  than  a 
liver.     It  breeds 


at  the  distant  western  sources  of  the  I'iatte,  near  the  vcrj 
base  of  tliu  llocky  Mountains;*  and  Mr.  liullocic  saw  it 
in  the  tabic  land  of  Me.xico.  The  Mociting  Bird  rears 
its  young,  and  consociucntiy  displays  its  wonderful  pow- 
ers, in  all  tlic  intermediate  regions  of  its  residence  in  the 
Uniteil  States  to  the  peninsula  of  Florida,  t  It  appears, 
in  short,  permanently  to  inhabit  the  milder  regions  of  the 
western  world  in  either  hemisphere;!  and  the  iiulividuals 
bred  north  of  the  Delaware,  on  this  side  the  equator,  are 
all  that  ever  migrate  from  their  summer  residence.  A 
still  more  partial  migration  takes  place  also,  probably, 
from  west  to  cast,  in  qiwM  of  the  food  and  shelter  which 
the  maritime  districts  aH'ord.  Though  now  so  uncommon 
in  that  vicinity,  50  or  00  years  ago,  according  to  Bartram, 
they  even  wintered  near  Pliilad(li>liia,  and  ma<le  a  tem- 
porary abode  in  the  mantling  ivy  of  his  venerable  mansion. 
In  summer,  a  few  proceed  as  far  as  Rhode  Island,  fol- 
lowing the  mild  temperature  of  tlie  sea-coast ;  but  fur- 
ther north,  they  are,  I  believe,  nearly  unknown  except 
rarely  and  occasionally  in  Massachusetts.  With  the  ad- 
vance of  the  season,  also,  in  the  country  which  it  inhab- 
its, varies  the  time  of  incubation.  Early  in  April  they 
begin  to  build  in  the  maritime  parts  of  Georgia,  but  not 
before  the  middle  of  May  in  Pennsylvania. 

In  the  winter  season  they  chiefly  subsist  on  berries, 
particularly  those  of  the  Virginia  juniper  (tailed  red  ce- 
dar), wax  myrtle,  holly,  smilax,  sumach,  sour-gum,  and 
a  variety  of  others,  which  furnish  them,  and  many  other 
birds,  with  a  plentiful  repast.  In.sects,  worms,  grass- 
hoppers, and  larviE,  are  the  food  on  which  they  princi- 
pally subsist,  when  so  eminently  vocal,  and  engaged   in 


•  Mr.  Sny.  t  Mr.  Ware. 

t  Mr  Litrhfiolil  inform.i  mo,  that  tho  fiong  of  llio  Moiking-ninl  is  commonly  hoard 
in  Venezut-'hi,  where  of  course  it  breeds  and  (lerinanently  resides. 


322 


INBECTIVOROrS  DinOM. 


th.-  tusk  of  n-»rinK  t1«cir  yonng.  In  the  Southern  StatOi, 
wheru  tl.fy  are  mUIoim  inoli-sto.l,  with  rcii<ly  «aj;niity  they 
seem  to  cur!  the  Hocicty  of  man,  and  f(-arh-«sly  hop 
around  the  roof  of  the  house,  or  Hy  hefore  the  plunter'H 
door.  Wlien  a  dwelling  is  first  8(;tth-(l  in  tlie  wihiornesfl, 
this  bird  is  not  seen  sonielimoH  in  the  vicinity  for  the 
first  ycur;  l)Ut,  at  length,  lie  payn  liis  welcome  visit  to 
the  new  comer,  uraliiied  witli  the  little  a.lvantnfrcs  he 
discovers  around  liiin,  and  seeking  out  also  the  favor  and 
fortuitous  pr..tecli..n  of  human  society.  He  becomes 
henceforth  familiar,  and  only  quarrels  with  the  cat  and 
dog,  whose  approach  h('  instinctively  dreads  near  lus  nest, 
nnd  never  ceases  his  complaints  and  ullucks  until  they 
retreat  from  his  sight. 

•     On  the  2(Uh  of   February  I  ftrst   heard  the    Mocking- 
bird,  that  season,    in  cmc   of  the  prairies  of   Alabama. 
He  begun  by  imitating  the  Carolina  Woodpecker,  t^hioai 
tshooai,  'ts/iow   'ts/iow'tshow;   then,  in  the  same  breath, 
the  .sM'(T/..o^   s7vrrtoot   of  the  Carolina  Wren  ;   by  and  by, 
troolit   woollf   tit  'til  of  the  Cardinal   bi.d,  and  the  peto 
peto  pfto  of  tlu!  Tufted  Titmouse,  with  connecting  tones 
of  his  own,  uttered   with   an  expression  so  refined   and 
masterly,  as  if  he  aimed,  by  this  display  of  bis  own  powers, 
to  make  those   inferior   vocalists   ashamed  of  their  own 
song.     It  was  truly  astonishing,  what  a  tender  sweetness 
he  contriv«rd  to   blend    amidst   notes  so  harsh  and  disso- 
nant as  those  nf  the  Woodjjecker,  which  (^ver  and  anon, 
made,    now,    the     chorus   of    liis    varied    and    fantastic 
song.     In  the  lower  parts  of  Georgia,  by  the  beginning  of 
March,  they  are  already  heard  vying  with   e.ich  other, 
and    with    the   Brown    Thrush,   rendering  the   new-clad 
forest  vocal  with  the  strains  of  their  junverful  melody. 

Like  the  Ferruginous  Thrush,  to  which  he  ia  so  nearly 
related,  the  Mocking-Bird  chooses  a  solitary  briar-bush 


Houtlierii  States, 
uly  niiKncity  tliey 
id  fearloHsly  hop 
trv  tln!  plnntor'H 
11  tilt!  wihloriiesB, 
I  vicinity  for  the 
wtilcoitH!  visit  to 
(•  iiilvniitngcH  ho 
\\^it  till!  favor  niid 
y.  He  becomes 
with  tlie  cat  nnd 
lads  near  liis  noHt, 
uilucitH  iiiitil  they 

ird  the  MockinfT- 
ricH  of  Aialiamn. 
i<>di«fkcr,  t.<hiio(ii 

the  sani<'  breath, 
Vrcii :  I)y  aiKl  by, 
)i.d,  and  the  pfto 

v-onnecting  tones 
n  so  refined  and 
of  bis  own  powers, 
nod  of  their  own 
X  tender  sweetness 
o  harsh  and  disso- 
icli  ever  and  anon, 
ied  and  fantastic 
ty  the  beginning  of 

with   each  other, 
ring  the   new-clad 
)owerful  melody, 
lich  he  is  so  nearly 
solitary  brinr-bush 


MOCKINd  niR[>. 


323 


or  a  thicket  for  his  nest ;  sometimes  an  orchard  tree  con* 
tiguous  to  the  house  is  selected  for  tiie  pnrposo,  at  little 
more  than  the  height  of  n  man  from  the  ground,  The 
composition  of  tliis  cradle  of  his  speeies  in,  generally,  nn 
external  muss  of  dry  twigs,  leaves,  and  grass,  blended 
with  bits  of  deca\ed  wood,  and  then  siiriiioiinted  with  a 
tin 'k  Inyer  or  lining  of  root-tibres  of  a  light  brown  color. 
The  eggs  are  about  4  or  ■'>,  pale  green,  with  blotclujs  of 
brown  scattered  nearly  all  over.  The  fninulo  sits  14 
days,  usually  producing  two  broods  in  a  reason,  and  is 
often  assiduously  fed^  while  so  ^'iigaged,  by  the  atten- 
tive male.  vSho  is  jealous  of  her  nest,  and  complains 
with  a  mournful  note,  their  usual  low  call,  when  her  eggs 
have  l»'eu  touched,  but  does  not  readily  ultandon  the  spot 
she  has  on»'o  chosen.*  None  of  the  domestic  animals, 
or  man  himself,  but  particularly  the  cat  ond  dog,  can 
approach,  during  the  period  of  inciiiiation,  without  re- 
ceiving an  nttaek  from  these  affectionate  guardians  of 
their  brood.  Their  most  insidious  and  deadly  enemies, 
however,  are  reptiles,  particularly  the  black  snake,  who 
spares  neither  the  eggs  nor  young.  As  soon,  as  his  fatal 
approach  is  discovered,  by  the  male,  ho  darts  upon 
him  without  hesitation,  eludes  his  bites,  and  striking 
him  about  the  head,  and  particularly  the  eyes,  whore 
most  vulnerable,  he  soon  succeeds  in  causing  him  to  re- 
treat, and  by  redoubling  bis  blows,  in  spite  of  all  pre- 
tended fascination,  the  wily  monster  often  falls  a  victim 
to  his  temerity  ;  and  the  heroic  bird,  leaving  his  enemy 
dead  on  the  field  he  provoked,  mounts  on  the  bush  above 
his  affectionate  mate  and  brood,  and  in  token  of  victory 
celebrates  his  loudest  song. 

The  Mocking-bird,  like  the   Nightingale,  is  destitute 
of  brilliant  plumage,    but    his  form    is    beautiful,  deli- 

*  Adddbok,  Orn.  Biog.  vol. i.  p.  111. 


Jff^ 


894 


INHKCTIVOnOUB   Hinim. 


c«to,   ttnd  symmetricnl  in  its  pn-portions^.      His  motions 
are  onsv,  rapid,  un.l  jrrurHul,  porpetuully  uniniat.-a  with 
a  plnylul  cnprico,  nnd  a  looit  thnt  nprx-arH  full  of  shrcnvil- 
ne»s   and  intelli«.-nc.>.     Ho   listn.s  will,  silont   attention 
to  ciicli   passing   sound,  troasurns    up  Inssons  from    any 
thin«  vocal,  and  is  capable  of  imitating  with   exactncHB, 
l)otl.  in  measure  and  accent,  the  notes  of  all  the  feathered 
creation.       And,  however   wild  and  discordant  the  tones 
and  calls  may  he,  he  contrives  with   an   Orphean  talent, 
peculiarly  his  own,  to  infuse  into  them   that  sweetness  of 
expression,  and  harmonious  modulation  which  character- 
izes this  ininiitahlc  and  wonderful  composer.       With  the 
dawii  of  morning,  while   yet  the   sun    lin;,rers  below   the 
blushing  horizon,  our   sublime  songster,    in   his    native 
wilds,  mounted  on   the  topmost  branch  of  a  tall  bush  or 
tree  in  the  forest,  pours  out  his   admirable  .song,  which, 
amidst  the  multitude  of  notes  from  all  the  warbling  host, 
still  rises  preeminent,  so  that  his  solo  is  heard  alone,  and 
all  the  rest  of  the  musical  choir  appear  employed  in  mere 
accompaniments  to  this  grand  actor  in  the  sublime  opera 
of  nature.      Nor  is  his  talent  confined   to  imitation  ;  his 
native  notes  are  also  bold,    full,  and   perpetually  varied, 
consisting  of  short  expressions  of  a  few  variable  syllables, 
interspersed  with  imitations,  and  uttered  with  great  em- 
phasis  and   volubility,  sometimes  for  half  an  hour   at    a 
time,  with    undiminished   ardor.     These  native   strains 
bear  a  considerable   resemblance  to  those  of  the  Brown 
Thrush,  to  whom  he  is  so  nearly  related  in  form,  habits, 
and  manners ;  but,  like  rude  from  cultivated   genius,  his 
notes  are  distinguished  by  th.>  rapidity  of  their  delivery, 
their  variety,  sweetness,  and  energy.     As  if  conscious  of 
his  unrivalled  powers  of  song,  and    animated  by  the  har- 
mony of  his  own   voice,  his  music  is,  as  it  were,  accom- 
panied  by  chromatic  dancing  and  expressive   gestures ; 


R,      IIJH' motions 
ly  nniinatcd  with 
rH  l\ill  of  shiowd- 
)  HJlt'iit    atteiitiuti 
oHftoiiH   I'ntni    any 
[  with   exactness, 
r  iill  the  Iciillierpd 
conliint  the  ton«'fl 
Orplinan  tiilunt, 
tlint  sweetness  of 
whicli  cliiiracter- 
losor.       Willi  the 
liii;,'(>rH  below   the 
)v,    in   his   native 
I  of  a  tall  l)nf<h  or 
al)lo  Aowii,  which, 
the  warhlinE;  host, 
)  heard  alone,  and 
employ*"!  in  mere 
the  sublime  opera 
to  imitation  ;  his 
perpetually  varied, 
variable  syllables, 
red  with  great  om- 
lalf  an  hour   at   a 
ose  native   strains 
liose  of  the  Brown 
ed  in  form,  habits, 
tivated   genius,  his 
y  of  their  delivery, 
As  if  conscious  of 
limated  by  tlie  har- 
as it  were,  accom- 
[pressive   gestures ; 


MOt'KINU  niRD. 

ho  sprends  and  closes  his  light  and  fanning  wings,  ex< 
pands  his  silvered  tail,  and,  with  buoyant  gaycty  and  en- 
thusiastic rcstacy,  he  sweeps  around,  and  mounts  and  de- 
scends into  the  air  from  his  lofty  spray,  as  his  song  swells 
to  loudness,  or  dies  away  in  sinking  whispers.  While 
thus  engaged,  so  various  is  his  talent,  that  it  might  be 
supposed  a  trial  of  skill  from  all  the  assembled  birds  of  the 
country  ;  and  so  perfect  arc  his  imitations,  that  even  the 
sportsman  is  at  times  deceived,  and  sent  in  quest  of  birds 
that  havi"  no  existence  around.  The  featliertid  tribes 
themselves  are  <lecoyed  by  the  fancied  call  of  their 
mates;  or  dive  with  fear  into  the  close  thicket,  at  the 
well-feigned  scream  of  the  hawk. 

Soon  reconciled  to  the  usurping  fancy  of  man,  the 
Mocking-bird  often  becomes  familiar  with  his  master  j 
playfully  attacks  him  tlirough  the  bars  of  his  cage,  or  at 
largo  in  a  room  ;  restless  and  capricious,  he  seems  to 
try  every  expedient  of  a  lively  imajjination,  that  may 
conduce  to  his  amusement.  Nothing  escapes  his  dis- 
cerning and  intelligent  eye  or  faithful  ear.  lie  whis- 
tles perhaps  for  the  dog,  who,  deceived,  runs  to  meet  his 
master;  the  cries  of  the  chicken  in  distress  brin;;  out 
the  clucking  mother  to  the  prot^M  tiou  of  her  ''rood.  — 
The  barking  of  the  dog,  tt  u„\.  waiiing  of  the  puppy, 
the  mewing  of  the  cat,  in  action  of  a  saw,  or  the  creak- 
ing of  a  wheelbarruu,  quickly  follow  with  exactness. 
He  repeats  a  tune  of  considerable  length ;  imitates  the 
warbling  of  the  Canary,  the  lisping  of  the  ludigo  bird, 
and  the  mellow  nhisile  of  the  Cardinal,  in  a  manner  >o 
superior  to  the  originals,  that  mortified  and  astonished, 
they  withdraw  from  his  presence,  ur  listen  in  silence, 
as  he  continues  to  triumph  by  renewing  his  efforts. 

In  the  cage  also,  nearly  as  in  the    woods,  he  is   full  nf 
life  and  action,  while  engaged  in   song  ;  throwing  him- 
28 


320 


INSECTIVOROJJS  BIRDS. 


self  round  with  inspiring  animation,  and,  as  it  were,  mov- 
ing in  time  to  the  melody  of  his  own  accents.     Even  the 
hours  of  night,  which  consign  nearly  all  other    birds  to 
rest   and   silence,  like  the   Nightingale,  he   oft  employs 
in  song,  serenading  the  houseless  hunter  and  silent  cot- 
tager  to  repose,  as  the  rising  moon  illumines  the   dark- 
ness   of    the     shadowy     scene.       His  capricious    fond- 
ness  for  contrast   and   perpetual  variety   appears  to  de 
teriorate   his  powers.     His  lofty  imitations  of  the  musi- 
cal Brown  Thrush  are  perhaps  interrupted  by  the   crow- 
ing of  the  cock,  or  the  barking  of  the  dog  ;  the  plaintive 
warblings  of  the   Blue-bird    are  then   blended   with   the 
wild  scream  and  chatter  of  the  Swallow,  or  the  cackling 
of  the  hen  ;    amid  the  simple  lay  of  the  native  Robin,  we 
are  surprised  with  the  vociferations  of  the   Whip-poor- 
will  ;    while   the   notes  of  the  garrulous   Jay,   Kildeer, 
Woodpecker,  Wren,    fifing  Baltimore,  and  many  others 
succeed,  with  such  an  appearance  of  reality,   that  we  al- 
most imagine  ourselves  in  the  presence  of  the  originals, 
and  can  scarcely  realize  the  fact,  that  the  whole  of  this 
singular  concert  is  the  effort  of  a  single  bird.     Indeed,  it 
is  impossible  to  listen  to  these  Orphean  strains,  when  de- 
livered by  a  superior  songster  in  his  native  woods,  with- 
out being  deeply  affected,  and  almost  riveted  to  the  spot, 
by  the  complicated   feelings  of  wonder  and  delight,   in 
which,  from  the  graceful  and  sympathetic  action,  as  well 
as  enchanting   voice  of  the  performer,  the  eye  is  no  less 
gratified  than  the  ear.     It  is,  however,  painful   to  reflect, 
that  these  extraordinary  powers  of  nature,  exercised  with 
so  much  generous  freedom  in  a  state  of  confinement,  are 
not  calculated  for  long  endurance,  and  after  this  most  won- 
derful and  interesting   prisoner  has  survived  for  6  or   7 
years,   blindness  often  terminates  his  gay   career  ;   and 
thus  shut  out  from  the  cheering  light,  the  solace  of  his 


X 


MOCKING  BIRD. 


337 


I,  as  it  were,  mor- 
cents.     Even  the 
ill  other    birds  to 
!,  lie  oft  employs 
3r  and  silent  cot- 
mines  the   dark- 
capricious    fond- 
ty   appears  to  de 
ons  of  the  musi- 
ted  by  the  crow- 
og  ;  the  plaintive 
lended   with   the 
,  or  the  cackling 
lative  Robin,  we 
the   Whip-poor- 
US  Jay,  Kildeer, 
and  many  others 
ality,   that  we  al- 
of  the  originals, 
the  whole  of  this 
bird.     Indeed,  it 
strains,  when  de- 
tive  woods,  with- 
iveted  to  the  spot, 
r  and  delight,   in 
tic  action,  as  well 
the  eye  is  no  less 
painful   to  reflect, 
re,  exercised  with 
f  confinement,  are 
fter  this  most  won- 
rvived  for  6  or   7 
gay  career ;  and 
the  solace  of  his 


lonely  but  active  exsitence,  he  now,  after  a  time,  droops 
in  silent  sadness  and  dies. 

Successful  attempts  have  been  made  to  breed  this  bird 
in  confinement  by  allowing  them  retirement  and  a  suffi- 
ciency of  room.  Those  which  have  been  taken  in  trap- 
cages  are  accounted  the  best  singers,  as  they  come  from 
the  school  of  nature,  and  are  taught  their  own  wild 
wood  notes.  The  prices  of  these  invaluable  songsters 
are  as  variable  as  their  acquired  or  peculiar  powers,  and 
are  from  6  to  50  dollars  ;  even  a  hundred  has  been  re- 
fused for  an  extraordinary  individual.  The  food  of  the 
young  is  thickened  meal  and  water,  or  meal  and  milk, 
mixed  occasionally  with  tender  fresh  meat,  minced  fine. 
Animal  food,  almost  alone,  finely  divided  and  soaked 
in  milk,  is  at  first  the  only  nutritive  food  suited  for  raising 
the  tender  nurslings.  Young  and  old  require  berries  of 
various  kinds,  from  time  to  time,  such  as  cherries,  straw- 
berries, whortleberries,  &.c.,  and,  in  short,  any  kint'  of 
wild  fruits  of  wliich  they  are  fond,  if  not  given  too  freely, 
are  useful.  A  few  grasshoppers,  beetles,  or  any  insects 
conveniently  to  be  had,  as  well  as  gravel,  are  also  neces- 
sary ;  and  spiders  will  often  revive  them  when  drooping 
or  sick. 

The  young  male  bird,  which  must  be  selected  as  a 
singer,  may  be  distinguished  by  the  breadth  and  purity 
of  the  white  on  ti.e  wings.  This  white  spot,  in  a  full 
grown  male,  spreads  over  the  whole  9  primaries,  down 
to,  and  considerably  below  their  coverts,  which  are  also 
white,  sometimes  slightly  tipt  with  brown.  The  white 
of  the  primaries,  also,  extends  to  the  same  distance  on 
both  vanes  of  the  feathers.  In  the  female,  the  white  is 
less  clear,  spreads  only  over  7  or  8  of  the  primaries,  doe.s 
not  descend  so  far,  and  extends  considerably  farther  down 
on  the  broad  than  on  the  narrate  side  of  the  feathers. 
The  black  is  also  more  inclined  to  brown. 


m 


328 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


The  length  of  tlie  Mocking-bird  is  OJ  incheu,  and  13  in  alar  ex- 
tent. Individuals  of  the  first  brood  in  the  season  are  larger  and  more 
robust  than  those  produced  later.  Above  iish-color,  at  length  inclin- 
ed to  brown.  The  wings  and  tail  nearly  black,  the  first  and  second 
rows  of  coverts  tipt  with  white  ;  the  primary  coverts  in  some  males 
are  wholly  white,  in  otliers  tinged  with  brown.  The  3  first  prima- 
ries are  white  from  their  roots  as  far  as  their  coverts ;  the  white  on 
Uie  next  6  extends  from  an  inch  to  1|  farther  down,  and  equally  ou 
both  sides  of  the  feather.  The  tail  is  wedge-shaped,  the  2  outer 
feathers  wliite,  the  rest,  except  the  middle  ones,  tipt  with  white. 
Chin  white  ;  the  remaining  parts  below,  a  brownish  white,  and 
clearer  in  wild  than  domesticated  birds.  Iris  inclining  tn  golden, 
but  lighter.  Dill,  legs,  and  feet  black  ;  the  base  of  the  lower  man- 
dible whitish.  The  difference  in  the  female  is  already  given.  The 
breast  of  the  young  is  spotted  like  that  of  the  Thrush. 


FERRUGINOUS  THRUSH,  or  THRASHER. 

(Onirdus  riifiis,  Lirf.  Wilson.  Am.  Orn.  ii.  p.  83.  pi.  14.  fig.  1.     Phil. 
Museum,  No.  .'>a.-.%.) 

Sp.  Chhaot.  Reddish-brown  ;  beneath  whitish,  spotted  with  black  ; 
tail  very  long  and  rounded ;  wings  with  2  whitish  bands  ;  the  bill 
long,  and  without  notch. 

This  large  and  well  known  songster,  inferior  to  none 
but  the  Mocking-bird  in  musical  talent,  is  found  in  every 
part  of  this  continent,  from  Canada  to  the  shores  of  the 
Mexican  Gulph,  breeding  in  all  the  intermediate  space, 
though  more  abundantly  towards  the  north.  They  retire 
to  the  south,  early  in  October,  in  the  states  north  of  the 
Carolinas,  and  probably  extend  their  migrations  at  this 
season  through  the  warmer  regions  towards  the  borders  of 
the  tropics. 

From  the  15th  of  April  to  early  in  May  they  begin  to 
revisit  the  Middle  and  Northern  States,  keeping  pace,  in 
some  measure,  with  the  progress  of  vegetation  and  the 


FERRUGINOUS  THRUSH,  OR  THRASHER. 


329 


und  13  in  alar  ez- 
re  larger  and  more 
ir,  at  lengtliinclin- 
le  first  and  second 
erts  in  some  males 
The  3  first  priina- 
erts ;  tlie  white  on 
vn,  and  equally  on 
laped,  the  2  outer 
1,  ti|it  with  white. 
)wnisli  white,  a  nd 
iclining  to  golden, 
of  the  lower  man- 
ready  given.  The 
ush. 


[RASHER. 

)1.  14.  fig.  1.     Phil. 

spotted  with  black ; 
ish  bands  ;  the  bill 

inferior  to  none 
i  found  in  every 
16  shores  of  the 
mediate  space, 
h.  They  retire 
les  north  of  the 
grations  at  this 
Is  the  border.s  of 

y  they  begin  to 
;eeping  pace,  in 
etation  and  the 


■' 


comparative  advancement  of  the  season.  They  appear 
always  to  come  in  pairs,  so  that  their  mutual  attachment 
is  probably  more  dur.able  than  the  season  of  incubation. 
Stationed  on  the  top  of  some  tall  orchard  or  forest  tree, 
the  male,  gay  and  animated,  salutes  the  morn  of  his 
arrival  with  his  loud  and  chiirming  song.  His  voice, 
somewhat  resembling  tiiat  of  the  Thrush  of  Europe,  but 
far  more  varied  and  powerful,  rises  preeminent  amidst  all 
the  vocal  choir  of  the  forest.  His  music  has  the  full 
charm  of  innate  originality  ;  he  takes  no  delight  in  mim- 
icry, and  has  therefore  no  title  to  the  name  of  Mocking- 
bird.* On  his  first  appearance,  he  faulters  in  his  song, 
like  the  Nightingale,  but  when  his  mate  commences  her 
cares  and  labors,  his  notes  attain  all  their  vigor  and 
variety.  The  young  birds,  even  of  the  first  season, 
in  a  stn  l  solitary  domestication,  without  the  aid  of 
the  pa-  <  oice,   already  whisper  forth  in   harmonious 

reverie  liie  pathetic  and  sweet  warble,  instinctive  to  the 
species.  In  the  month  of  May,  while  the  blooming  or- 
chards perfume  and  decorate  the  landscape,  the  enchant- 
ing voice  of  the  Thrasher,  in  his  aflfectionate  lay.  ""'  ■* 
to  give  grateful  utterance  for  the  bounty  and  ^..  r..!;?^ 
profusion  of  nature,  and  falls  in  pleasing  unison  with  the 
harmony  and  beauty  of  the  season. 

From  the  beginning  to  the  middle  of  May  the  Thrash- 
er is  engaged  in  building  his  nest,  selecting  for  this  pur- 
pose usually  a  low,  thick  bush,  in  some  retired  thicket  or 
swamp,  a  few  feet  from  the  earth,  and  sometimes  even  on 
the  ground,  in  some  sheltered  tussuck,  or  near  the  root 
of  a  bush.  It  has  a  general  resemblance  to  the  nest  of 
the  Cat-bird  ;  outwardly  being  made  of  small  interlacing 
twigs,  then  layers  of  dry  oak  or  beech  leaves,  either  whole 


*  Ue  ii  called  in  the  Soutlieta  Btatoi,  the  French  Mocking-bird, 

28* 


i|«^ 


330 


INSECTIVOnOUS    BIRD8. 


or  dissected.  To  these  materials  usually  succeeds  a  stra- 
tum of  strips  of  grape-vine  or  red  cedar  bark,  and  with 
them  1  have  once  seen  a  piece  of  old  tape,  collected  prob- 
ably from  the  vicinity  of  .some  cottage  ;  over  the  whole  is 
piled  a  mass  of  coarse  root-fibres,  often  of  a  dark  color,  and 
the  finishing  lining  is  made  of  a  finer  layer  of  the  same. 
The  eggs,  never  exceeding  5,  ar*;  thickly  and  very  ele- 
gantly sprinkled  all  over  with  minute  spots  of  palish 
brown,  on  a  greenish  white  ground.  In  the  Middle 
States  they  have  probably  two  broods  in  the  season  ;  here 
seldom  more  than  one.  Tiicy  display  the  most  ardent 
affection  for  their  young ;  attacking  snakes,  dogs,  and 
cats  in  their  defence.  One  of  the  parents,  usually  the 
male,  seems  almost  continually  occupied,  in  guarding 
against  any  dangerous  intruder.  The  cat  is  attacked 
commonly  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  young, 
and  the  woods  echo  with  his  plaintive  ye-ow,  ye-ow,  and 
the  low,  guttural,  angry  7.s7/  'Uh  'tsli  'tsh.  The  enemy  is 
thus  pursued  off  the  field,  commonly  with  success,  as 
guilty  grimalkin  appears  to  understand  the  threatening 
gestures  and  complaints  with  which  she  is  so  incessant- 
ly assailed.  Towards  their  more  insidious  enemies  of 
the  human  species,  when  approaching  the  helpless  or 
unfledged  young,  every  art  is  displayed  ;  threats,  en- 
treaties, and  reproaches,  the  most  pathetic  and  power- 
ful, are  tried  in  no  equivocal  strain ;  they  dart  at  the 
ravisher  in  wild  despair,  and  lament,  in  the  most  touch- 
ing strains  of  sorrow,  the  bereavement  they  suffer.  I 
know  of  nothing  equal  to  the  burst  of  grief  manifested 
by  these  affectionate  parents,  excepting  the  afflicting 
accents  of  suffering  humanity. 

Their  food  consists  of  worms  and  insects  generally  ; 
also  caterpillars,  beetles,  and  other  coleopterous  tribes, 
as   well  as  various  kinds  of  berries.     In  the  month  of 


FERRnOINOUS  THRUSH,  OR  THRASHER. 


331 


succeeds  a  stra- 
r  bark,  and  with 
I,  collected  prob- 
over  the  whole  is 
I  dark  color,  and 
'er  of  the  same, 
ly  and  very  de- 
spots of  palish 
In  the  Middle 
the  season ;  here 
he  most  ardent 
ikes,  dogs,  and 
ints,  usually  the 
ed,  in  guarding 
cat  is  attacked 
•om  the  young, 
k-mo,  yi'dw^  and 
!.  The  enemy  is 
vjth  success,  as 
the  threatening 
is  so  incessant- 
ious  enemies  of 
the  helpless  or 
id  ;  threats,  en- 
etic  and  power- 
liey  dart  at  the 
the  most  touch- 
it  they  suffer.  I 
rrief  manifested 
ig  the  afflicting 

sects  generally  ; 
jopterous  tribes, 
n  the  month   of 


\ 


January  I  observed  this  Thrush  and  the  Mocking-bird 
feed  on  the  berries  of  the  sumach.  Sometimes  they 
raise  up  a  few  grains  of  planted  corn,  but  this  is  more 
the  effect  of  caprice  than  appetite,  as  the  .search  for 
grubwornis  is  what  commonly  induces  this  resort  to 
8cratchin;j;  up  the  soil.  The  Thrasher  is  an  active, 
watchful,  siiy,  and  vigorous  dpecie.s,  generally  flying 
low,  dwelling  among  thickets,  and  skipping  from  bush  to 
bush,  with  his  long  tail  sometimes  spread  out  like  a  fan. 
About  the  first  week  in  October  after  moulting,  they 
disappear  for  the  season,  and  pass  the  winter  in  the 
Southern  States.  By  the  middle  of  Fcoruary,  or  early 
in  March,  they  already  display  their  vocal  powers  in  the 
warmer  i)arts  of  G«jorgia  and  West  Florida.  They  are 
easily  reared,  and  become  very  familiar  and  amusing 
companions,  showing  a  strong  attachment  to  the  hand 
that  feeds  and  protects  them.  In  their  manners,  intelli- 
gence, song,  and  sagacity,  they  nearly  approach  to 
the  Mocking-bird,  being  equally  playful,  capricious, 
petulant,  and  affectionate.* 

The  Brown  Thrusli  is  11 4  inches  long,  and  13  in  alar  extent.  The 
whole  upper  parts  !i re  of  a  bright  reddisli-brown ;  the  wings  are 
crossed  wituiJbars  ot'wiiitish,  reUeved  with  black.  Tail  very  long, 
rounded  at  the  end,  broad,  and  of  the  same  color  with  the  back. 
Below  yellowish-white,  with  the  breast  and  sides  marked  with  long 
pointed  or  pencillate  dusky  spots.  Bill  without  notch ;  black 
above,  whitish  below  near  the  base.  Legs  dusky  brownish.  Iris 
yellow,  (much  paler  in  tlie  young  bird.^  In  the  female  tlie  white 
bars  on  the  wing  are  narrower,  and  tlie  spots  on  the  breast  small- 


*  For  additional  traiU  of  this  spocios,  see  the  Introduction. 


pjf 


jt^ 


CAT-BIRD. 

( Tardus  felivox,  Vmvu.    T.  Uvidus,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  90.  pi.  20.  fig.  3. 

Phil.  Museum,  No.  C770.) 

Sp.  Charact.  — Dark  slate  color,  paler  beneath  ;  the  vent  rufouBJ 

the  crown  and  tail  black,  the  latter  rounded. 

This  quaint  and  familiar  songster  probably  passes  the 
winter  in  the  southern  extremities  of  the  United  States, 
and  along  the  coast  of  Mexico,  from  whence,  as  early  as 
February,  they  arrive  in  Georgia.  About  the  middle  of 
April  they  are  first  seen  in  Pennsylvania,  and  at  length 
leisurely  approach  this  part  of  New  England,  by  the 
close  of  the  first  or  l>eginning  of  the  second  week  in 
May.  They  continue  their  migration  also  to  Canada  ; 
but  whether  they  proceed  into  the  desolate  arctic  wilder- 
ness or  not,  we  are  ignorant.     They  are  said,  however, 


,.  90.  pi.  20.  fig.  3. 

the  vent  rufous ; 
uncled. 

lably  passes  the 
I  United  States, 
nee,  as  early  as 
it  the  middle  of 
,  and  at  length 
Ingland,  by  the 
iecond  week  in 
Iso  to  Canada ; 
te  arctic  wilder- 
I  said,  however, 


J 


CAT-BIRD. 


333 


to  inhabit  Kumtschatka,  and  consequently  penetrate  very 
far  to  the  north.  Throughout  this  extent,  and  to  the 
territory  oftlie  Mississippi,  tliey  likewise  pass  the  period 
of  incubation  and  rearing  tiieir  young.  They  remain  in 
New  England  till  about  the  middle  of  October,  at  which 
time  tlic  young  feed  principally  upon  wild  berries. 

The  Cat-i)ird  often  tunes  his  cheerful  song  before  the 
break  of  dny,  hopping  I'rorn  bush  to  busii,  with  great 
agility  after  his  insect  prey,  while  yet  scarcely  distin- 
guishable amidst  the  dusky  shadows  of  the  dawn.  The 
notes  ol'  ditfcrent  individuals  ^ary  considerably,  so  that 
sometimes  iiis  song,  in  sweuiuess  and  compjiss,  is  scarce- 
ly at  all  inferior  to  that  of  the  Fjrruginous  Thrush.  A 
quaintuess,  however,  prevails  in  all  his  efforts,  and  his 
song  is  frequently  made  up  of  short  and  blended  imita- 
tions of  other  birds,  given,  however,  with  great  emphasis, 
melody,  and  variety  of  tone  ;  and,  like  the  Nightingale, 
invading  the  hours  of  repose,  in  the  late  twilight  of  a 
summer's  evening,  when  scarce  anothci  note  is  heard, 
but  the  hum  of  the  drowsy  beetle,  his  music  attains  its 
full  effect,  and  often  rises  and  fplls  with  all  the  swell  and 
studied  cadence  of  finished  harmony.  During  the  heat 
of  the  day,  or  late  in  the  morning,  the  variety  of  his  song 
declines,  or  he  pursues  his  employment  in  silence  and 
retirement. 

About  the  2.>th  of  May,  one  of  tiiese  familiar  birds 
came  into  the  Botanic  Garden,  and  took  up  his  summer 
abode  with  us.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  called  up  in  low 
vvhisperings  the  notes  of  the  Wlup-uoiir-witl,  the  Rod  Bird, 
the  prtoprto  of  the  Tufted  Titmouse,  and  other  imitations 
of  southern  birds,  which  he  had  collected  on  his  leisure- 
ly route  from  the  south.  He  also  soon  mocked  the 
'tshe-yiih  'tshc-i/dh  of  the  little  Acadian  Flycatchers,  with 
which  the  neighbourhood  now  abounded.      He  frequent- 


884 


INBECTIVOROUS  niRDS. 


answered  to  my  whistle  in  the  garden,  was  very  silent 
during  tlie  period  of  incubation,  nnd  expressed  (rreat  anxi- 
ety and  complaint  on  my  approaching  the  young  after  their 
leaving  the  nest.  According  to  Latham,  the  Cat-bird  is 
also  capable  of  imitating  the  variable  airs  of  instrumental 
music,  and  will  sometimes  mimic  the  cry  of  chickens  so 
as  to  deceive  and  distress  the  hen  that  attends  them. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  propensities  of  tlie  Cat- 
bird, and  to  which  it  owes  its  name,  is  the  unpleasant, 
loud,  and  grating  cat-like  mi^tr  {'pi'i/,  '/'".'/>  'P".'/)>  which  it 
often  utters,  on  beiuf.,  approached  or  offended.  As  the 
irritation  increases,  this  note  becomes  more  hoarse,  reit- 
erated, and  vehement;  and  sometimes  this  petulance 
and  anger  are  carried  so  far,  as  to  persecute  every  intru- 
der who  approaches  the  premises.  This  temper  often  pre- 
vails after  the  young  are  Hedged,  and  though  originating, 
no  doubt,  in  parental  anxiety,  it  sometimes  a])pears  to 
outlive  that  season,  and  occasionally  becomes  such  an 
annoyance,  that  a  revengeful  and  fatal  l)low  from  a 
Btick  or  stone,  is  but  too  often,  with  the  thoughtless  anu 
prejudiced,  the  reward  of  this  harmless  and  capricious 
provocation.  At  such  times,  with  little  apparent  cause, 
the  agitation  of  the  bird  is  excessive,  she  hurries  backward 
and  forward,  with  hanging  wings,  and  open  mouth,  mew- 
ing and  screaming  in  a  paroxysm  of  scolding  anger,  and 
alighting  almost  to  peck  the  very  hand  tluit  offers  the 
insult.  To  touch  a  twig  or  branch  in  any  part  of  the  gar- 
den or  wood  is  often  amply  sufficient  to  call  down  the 
amusing  termagant.  This  harmless  excess,  and  simula- 
tion of  grimalkin's  tone,  that  wizard  animal,  so  much 
disliked  by  many,  are  unfortunate  associations  in  the  cry 
of  the  C«/-bird  ;  and  thus  coupled  with  an  ill  name,  this, 
delightful  and  familiar  songster,  who  seeks  out  the  very 
society  of  man,  and  reposes  an  unmerited  confidence  in 


,  was  very  silent 
rosseil  jirroat  nrixi- 

j'oiiii|T  nfior  their 
II,  the  Cat-bird  is 
a  of  instrumental 
y  of  chickens  so 
ttends  them, 
lities  of  the  Cat- 
I  the  unpleasant, 
,'/.  'l'"'/),  which  it 
ffended.  As  the 
nore  lioarse,  reit- 
s  this  petulance 
cute  every  intru- 
tenipcr  often  pre- 
ough  originating, 
times  appears  to 
becomes  such  an 
tal  blow  from  a 
!  thoughtless  ana 
3   and  capricious 

apparent  cause, 
hurries  backward 
pen  mouth,  mew- 
ilding  anger,  and 
d  that  offers  the 
y  part  of  the  gar- 
to  call  down  the 
xess,  and  simula- 
animal,  so  much 
Nations  in  the  cry 
I  an  ill  name,  this, 
iceks  out  the  very 
ted  confidence  in 


i 


CAT-BJBD. 


335 


his  protection,  is  treated  with  undeserved  obloquy  and 
contempt.  The  flight  of  the  Cat-bird  is  laborious,  and  usu- 
ally continued  only  from  bush  to  bush  ;  his  progress,  how- 
ever, is  very  wily,  and  his  attitudes  and  jerks  amusingly 
capricious.  He  appears  to  have  very  little  fear  of  ene- 
mies, often  descends  to  the  ground  in  quest  of  insects, 
and  though  almost  familiar,  is  very  quick  in  his  retreat 
from  real  danger. 

This   common    and    abundant  species  begins  to  con- 
struct its  nest  some  time  in  the    month  of  May.     The 
situation,    in   which    he  delights  to  dwell,  is  commonly 
a  dark  thicket,  in  the  woods,  or  close  bush  in  some   re- 
cluse part  of  the  garden,  at  the  distance  of  5  to   10  feet 
from   the  ground,   according  to  the  convenience   of  the 
situation.      The  materials    are   coarse   but  substantial ; 
the  external  part  is  commonly  made  of  small  interlaced 
twigs,  old  grass,  and   dry  leaves  ;  to  these   succeed  thin 
strips  of  bark,  often  of  the  red  cedar,  somewhat  aggluti- 
nated.    The  inside  is  lined  and  bedded  with  black  root- 
fibres  of  ferns ;   other    accidental    materials   sometimes 
make  a  fantastic  part  of  the  fabric.   One  has  been  known 
to  carry  away  an  edging  of  lace  which   was  missed,  and 
at  length  again  recovered  after  the  rearing  of  the  brood, 
whose  dainty  bed  it  assisted  to  form.      I  have  frecpiently 
found  in  the  external  coat  of  the  nest,  tiie  cast  off  skins 
o(  giiafcrs,  more  rarely  bits  of  newspapers,  wood  shavings, 
strings,  and  bass-mat  strips.     The  eggs  are  4'or  5,  of  a 
bright  and  deep  emerald  green,  and  without  spots.     Ac- 
cording to  the  time  of  their  arrival  they  raise  two  or  even 
three  broods  in  the  season.     The  Cat-bird  is   not   easily 
induced   to  forsake  its  nest.      Wilson  removed  one  con- 
taining 4  eggs,  nearly   hatched,  from  a  grape-vine  into  a 
thicket  of  briars  close  by,  which  was  soon  occupied  by 
the  female,   as  if  nothing  had  happened   to  it.      Other 


^fi 


I, 


INBECTIVOROVa  BIRDS. 

birds'  eggs,  tlioxe  of  the  Thraslicr,  and  young  of  the  satno 
Bpcciea,  were  instantly  turned  out  of  the  nest  in  which 
they  had  heen  |)l.iced.  Yet  the  male,  divestiiii;  iiiiuself 
of  selfish  jealousy,  ohserving  tlie  distress  and  li(l|ilessneBB 
of  the  young  thus  dislodged  hy  his  mate,  began  to  feed 
them  as  his  own.  Their  sagacity  is  ther<;forc  superior  to 
that  of  the  ordinary  Thrushes,  as  the  Tardus  Wilsuiiii  is 
even  one  of  the  duped  nurses  occasionally  t  i.tployed  by 
the  Cow-Bird. 

The  food  of  till  « 'at-bird  is  similar  to  tint  of  the  preced- 
ing species,  being  insects  and  worms,  piirlicularly  beetles, 
and  various  garden  fruits  ;  feeding  its  youn'i  often  on 
cherries,  and  other  kinds  of  fruits.  Sometimes  they 
are  observed  to  attack  snakes  when  they  approach  the 
vicinity  of  their  brood,  and  commonly  succeed  in  driving 
off  the  enemy;  when  bitten,  however,  by  the  poisonous 
kinds,  it  is  probable,  as  related,  that  they  may  act  in  such 
a  manner,  as  to  a|i|)nar  laboring  under  tli(!  inlliiencc  of 
fascination.  The  Cat-bird,  when  raised  from  the  nest,  is 
easily  domesticated,  becomes  a  very  amusing  inmate, 
and  seems  attached  to  his  cage,  as  to  a  dwelling  or  place 
of  security.  About  dawn  of  day,  if  at  large,  he  Hirts 
about  with  aflectcd  wildness,  repeatedly  jerks  his  tail 
and  wings  with  the  noise  almost  of  a  whip,  and  stretch- 
ing forth  his  head,  opens  his  mouth  and  mews.  Some- 
times this  curious  cry  is  so  guttural  as  to  be  uttered  with- 
out opening  the  bill.  He  often  also  gives  a  s(pieal  as  he 
flies  from  one  place  to  another ;  and  is  very  tame,  though 
pugnacious  to  all  other  birds  which  approach  him  for 
injury.  When  wanting  food,  he  stirs  round  wiili  great  un- 
easiness, jerks  every  thing  about  within  his  reach,  and 
utters  the  feeble  cry  of  the  caged  Mockiui^-bird.  A  very 
amusing  individual,  which  I  now  describe,  began  his  vo- 
cal powers  by  imitating  the  sweet  and  low  warble  of  the 


)uiii;  of  the  samo 
10  iicst  in  which 
livcstiiii^  hiiiiseir 
and  h<  l|il)'H.Miie88 
B,  began  to  feed 
♦•fore  superior  to 
nlus  Wilson  it  is 
liy  ( liiployrd  by 

intof  thfi  precftrt- 
licuiariy  beetles, 

yoiui'j  often  on 
Souiciinics  they 
ley  np|)roacli  the 
iccocd  in  driving 
by  the  poisonous 
I  may  act  in  such 

tii(!  inibience  of 
from  tiie  nest,  is 
imii^'ing  inmate, 
liwelling  or  place 
t  large,  he  Hirtn 
ly  jerks  his  tail 
hi|),  and  stretch- 
rl  mews.  Some- 
)  be  uttered  with- 
:>8  a  squeal  us  he 
ery  tame,  though 
pproach  him  for 
nd  Hiili  great  un- 
JTi  liis  reach,  and 
nj4-bird,  A  very 
be,  began  his  vo- 
»w  warble  of  the 


J 


CAT-BIRD, 


337 


Song  Hparrow,  as  given  in  the  autumn  ;  and,  from  his 
love  of  imitation  on  other  occasions,  [  am  inclined  to  be- 
lieve that  ho  possesses  no  original  note  of  his  own,  but 
acquires  and  modulates  the  songs  of  other  birds.  Like 
the  Robin,  he  is  exceedingly  fond  of  wanhing,  and  dash- 
es about  in  the  water  till  every  feather  appears  drench- 
ed ;  he  a' so,  ut  times,  basks  in  the  gravel,  in  fine  weather. 
His  food.  III  confinement,  is  almost  every  thing  vegetable, 
except  unbriiised  seeds  ;  as  bread,  fine  pastry,  cakes, 
Kcalded  corn-meal,  fruits,  particular!,  those  which  are 
juicy,  aud  now  and  then  insects  and  minced  llesh. 

The  lenj^th  of  this  gpecieB  ia  about '.»  inches  Above  deep  Hlate- 
color,  lighteBt  on  tlie  edgeg  of  the  primariea,  and  aUo  coniiidernbly 
paler  below.  The  under  tnil-i:over»8  reddiiih  cheiitniit.  Tail  round- 
ed. Upper  purl  of  tlie  head,  Xefin,  and  bill, black —  ll  occurs  rarely 
pye-bald,  with  the  head  and  biu  k  white,  being  nearly  tin  albino. 
In  a  caged  bird,  I  have  also  observed  one  or  two  of  the  tail-feathers 
and  primaries  partlv  white  on  their  inner  webs.  —  In  the  young, 
before  the  first  moult,  the  nifous  vent  is  paler,  and  the  black  of  the 
head  indistinct. 


29 


1 

i 


TrnirsiiES,  pfopnhi  >o  rulhd. 
AMERICAN  ROBIN,  or  MIGRATING  TIIRISIT. 

{Tardus  migratoriiis,  Lin.    Wilson,  i.  p.   X>.  pi.  y.  fig.  9.    Lath.. 

SyiiopH.  iii.  i>.  21). ) 
Sr.  CiiAUACT.  —  Dark  nHli-color  ;    IhmumUi  rufous  ;    lifiul  nnd  mil 

black,  the  two  exterior  feathcr.i  of  the  latter  white  at  the  inner 

tip. 

The  familiar  and  wolconie  Robin  i.s  fniind  in  suinnipr 
througiiout  tiie  Nortli  American  continent,  from  the  des- 
olate regions  of  Iludson'.s  Buy,  ii»  the  'i-M  degree,  to  the 
tai)le  land  of  Mexico  ;  *  it  is  likewise  a  denizen  of  the 
territory  of  the  Oregon,  t  on  the  western  l)usn  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  In  all  thin  vast  space,  the  American 
Fieldfare  rears  its  young,  avoiding  only  the  warmer 
maritime  districts,  to  "hicli,  however,  they  flock  for 
support  during  the   inclemency  of  winter.     In  like  man- 


*  Bullock's  .Memoir. 


t  Founil,  acconling  to  I.atliiiin,  at  Nootka  Sounil. 


Int. 

\G  TIIRTSH. 

il.  'J.  fig.  -2.   Lath.. 

ms  ;    hi-ail  and  tail 
wliitp  at  the  inner 

found  in  summer 
nt,  iVoni  the  <les- 
J(l  degree,  to  the 
il  denizen  of  the 
lern  base  of  the 
o,  the  American 
Illy  the  warmer 
,  tliey  flock  for 
>r.  In  like  man- 
am,  Bl  Nootka  SounJ. 


AMRRICAN  RoniN,  OR  MI(IR\TIN*«  TilRl'SII. 


330 


iier  the  common  Fieidfuro  mijj;rates  at  a  Into  «o«moii  from 
the  nortiiorn  dcierts  of  Siberia  and  liapbmd  lo  pass  the 
winii-r  in  the  mihier  parts  of  Ihirope.  'IMh;  lloliin  has 
no  fixcfl  time  for  niij^ration,  nor  any  particnliir  rendc/- 
vous  ;  they  retire  from  tiie  hij,'her  latitndca  only  an  their 
food  bej;ins  to  fail,  and  so  leisurely  and  desultory  are 
tiieir  movements,  that  they  make  their  appearance  in 
Htraggling  parties  even  in  Massachusetts,  feeilinj;  on  win- 
ter berries,  till  driven  to  the  south  by  deep  and  inundat- 
ing snows.  At  tiiis  season  tlicy  swarm  in  iIm-  Southern 
States,  thoiiih  they  never  move  in  larf{(!  bodies.  The 
holly,  priuos,  -umach,  smila.x.  <  u'' "-berry  myrtle,  and 
the  Virginian  juniper  now  aff*  id  their,  .n  ample  repast  in 
the  winter,  in  the  ab.senco  1 1'  the  nioV'  juicy  l)erries  of 
autumn,  and  the  insect.s  and  -'o  ins  of  tli  •  milder  season. 
Even  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  'nokso*' ivobins  arc  seen, 
in  certain  season*,  assembling  i<,..ud  open  sprinj^s  in  the 
deplii  of  winter,  liaving  arrived  probal)ly  liom  tin;  .  oliler 
interior  of  the  state;  and  in  those  situations  they  are 
consccpiently  often  trapped  and  killed  in  great  numbers. 
Towards  the  close  of  January,  in  South  Carolina,  the 
Robin,  at  intervals,  still  tuned  his  sonii ;  and  about  the 
second  week  of  March,  in  the  Middlu  States,  before  the 
snows  of  winter  have  wholly  disappeared,  u  few  desultory 
notes  are  already  given.  As  .soon  as  the  lOth  of  this 
month,  they  may,  at  times,  also  be  heard  in  tliis  part  of 
New  England.  Early  in  April,  however,  at  the  cldse  of 
the  jealous  contests,  which  are  waged  with  obstinacy, 
they  are  only  seen  in  pairs,  and  now,  from  the  orchard  or 
the  edge  of  the  forest,  deliver  I  heir  simple  thrillin'.;  lays, 
in  all  the  artless  energy  of  true  affection.  This  (,'arncst 
song  recalls  to  mind  the  mellow  whistle  of  the  Tiirush,* 
which,  in  the  charming  month  of  May,   so  sweetly  rises 


*  TVr'/iw  miuieu*,  Lm. 


340 


INSECTIVOROUS  DIRDS. 


in  warbling  echoes  from  the  low  copse  and  shady  glen. 
Our  American  bird  has  not,  however,  the  compass  and 
variety  of  that  familiar  and  much  loved  songster  ;  but  his 
freedom  and  willingness  to  please,  render  him  an  univer- 
sal <'ivorite,  ana  he  now  comes,  as  it  were,  with  the  wel- 
coniC  prelude  to  the  general  concert,  about  to  burst  upon 
us  from  all  the  green  woods  and  blooming  orchards.  With 
this  pleasing  association  with  the  opening  season,  amidst 
the  fragrance  of  flowers,  and  the  improving  verdure  of  the 
fields,  we  listen  with  peculiar  [Measure  to  the  simple  song 
of  the  Robin.  The  confidence  he  reposes  in  us  by  mak- 
ing his  abode  in  our  gardens  and  orchards,  the  frankness 
and  innocence  of  his  manners,  besides  his  vocal  powers 
to  please,  inspire  respect  and  attachment  even  in  the 
truant  school-boy,  and  his  exposed  nest  is  but  rarely  mo- 
lested. He  owes,  however,  this  immunity  in  no  .small 
degree  to  the  fortunate  name  which  he  bears  ;  as  the 
favorite  Robin  Redbreast,  said  to  have  covered,  with  a 
leafy  shroud,  the  lost  and  wandering  "  babes  in  the 
wood,"*  is  held  in  universal  respect  in  every  part  of 
Europe,  where  he  is  known  by  endearing  names,  and  so 
familiar  in  winter  that  he  sometimes  taps  at  the  window, 
or  enters  the  house  in  search  of  crumbs,  and,  like  the 
domestic  fowls,  claims  his  welcome  pittance  at  the 
farmer's  door. 

The  nest  of  this  species  is  often  on  the  horizontal 
branch  of  an  apple  tree,  or  in  a  bush  or  tree  in  the 
woods,  and  so  large,  as  to  be  scarcely  ever  wholly  con- 
cealed. The  materials,  chiefly  leaves,  old  grass,  and  some- 
times whitis!^  moss  {Baomyces  Sp.),  are  cemented  to- 
gether inside  by  a  plastering  of  bog-mud,  often  filled 
with  fibrous  roots,  somewhat  after  the  manner  of  the 
Thrush,  but  the  interior  is  lined   with  short,  dry,  rotten 


*  A  well  known  legend  to  this  effect. 


e  and  shady  glen. 

the   compass  and 

songster ;  but  his 
der  him  an  univer- 
'ere,  with  the  wel- 
bout  to  burst  upon 
ig  orchards.  With 
ing  season,  amidst 
'ing  verdure  of  tlie 
to  the  simple  song 
)ses  in  us  by  mak- 
irds,  the  frankness 
s  his  vocal  powers 
ment  even  in  the 
t  is  but  rarely  mo- 
inity  in  no  small 
he  bears  ;  as  the 
e  covered,  with  a 
g   "  babes   in  the 

in  every  part  of 
ing  names,  and  so 
ips  at  the  window, 
nbs,  and,  like  the 

pittance    at   the 

on  the  horizontal 
ish  or  tree  in  the 
'  ever  wholly  con- 
Id  grass,  and  some- 
are  cemented  to- 
-mud,  often  filled 
he  manner  of  the 
I  short,  dry,  rotten 

loot. 


AMERICAN  EOBIN,  OU  MIGRATING  THRUSH. 


341 


straw,  and  a  mat  of  old  grass.  The  eggs,  about  5,  are  of 
a  bluish  green  and  without  spots.  So  nearly  domestic  at 
times  are  their  habits,  that  an  instance  is  known,  where 
they  successively  raised  two  broods  out  of  the  same  nest. 
They  show  great  affection  and  anxiety  for  the  safety  of 
their  young,  keeping  up  a  noisy  cackling  chirp  when  the 
place  is  approached  ;  and  they  have  often  serious  contests 
with  the  piratical  Cuckoo,  who  slily  watches  the  absence 
of  the  parents  to  devour  their  eggs.  To  avoid  these  visitss 
and  the  attacks  of  other  enemies,  the  Robin  has  been 
known  to  build  his  nest  within  a  few  yards  of  the  black- 
smith's anvil  ;  and  in  Portsmouth  (New  Hampshire)  one 
was  seen  to  employ  for  the  same  purpose  the  stern  timbers 
of  an  unfinished  vessel,  in  which  the  carpenters  were  con- 
stantly at  work  ;  the  bird  appearing,  by  this  adventurous 
association,  as  if  conscious  of  ihe  protection  of  so  singu- 
lar and  bold  a  situation.  I  have  also  seen  a  nest  of  the 
Robin  bottomed  with  a  mass  of  pine  shavings,  taken  with- 
out alarm  from  the  bench  of  the  carpenter.  The  Euro- 
pean Thrush  is  sometimes  equally  familiar  ;  a  pair  be- 
ing known  to  make  a  nest  on  a  harrow,  among  some 
other  agricultural  implements  suspended  on  the  joists  of 
a  cart-shed,  in  wliich  3  men  were  at  work  at  the  time  ; 
and  here  they  built  and  reared  their  young  in  safety.  In 
this  instance,  the  female  was  in  such  haste,  that  she  laid 
an  egg  before  the  finishing  of  the  nest,  and  while  the 
male  carried  on  tho  necessary  labor  for  its  completion  ; 
so  that  this  singular  resort  had  apparently  been  forced 
upon  the  pair  immediately  after  the  loss  of  the  object  of 
their  first  labor,  and  they  now  successfully  threw  them- 
selves and  their  concerns  upon  the  protection  of  the 
human  species.  From  the  petulant  and  reiterated 
chirp  so  commonly  uttered  by  the  Robin,  when  sur- 
prised or  irritated,  the  Indians  of  Hudson's  Bay  call 
29* 


842 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


him,  from  this  note,  Pcc-pec-tshu.  They  often  also 
utter  a  loud  echoing  'kk  'kh  'kh,  and  sometimes  chip  in 
a  high  or  slender  tone  when  alarmed,  and  with  an  affec- 
tation of  anger  sharply  flirt  the  tail  and  ends  of  the 
wings.  They  raise  several  broods  in  a  season,  and 
considerable  numbers  flock  together  in  the  latter  end  of 
summer  and  autumn.  Wiicn  feeding  on  cherries,  poke, 
sassafras,  and  sour-gum  berries,  they  arc  so  intent  as  to 
be  easily  approached  and  shot  down  in  numbers  ;  and 
when  fat,  are  justly  esteemed  for  food,  and  often  brought 
to  market.  In  the  spring  they  frequently  descend  to  the 
ground  in  quest  of  worms  and  insects,  which  then  consti- 
tute their  principal  support. 

They  are  commonly  brouglit  up  in  the  cage,  and  seem 
very  docile  and  content.  Tiiey  sing  well,  readily  learn  to 
imitate  lively  parts  of  tunes,  and  some  have  been  taught 
to  pipe  forth  psalms  even  to  so  dull  and  solemn  a  measure 
as  that  of  "  ()/(/  Hundnd"  !  They  acquire  also  a  consid- 
erable taste  for  mimicry,  imitating  the  notes  of  most  of 
the  birds  around   them,   such   as   the  Blue-bird,   Pewee, 
Whip-poor-will,  and  others.     On  being  approached  with 
the  finger,  they   usually  make   some   show  of  anger  by 
cracking  and  snapping   the  bill.     At  times  they  become 
very  tame,  and  will  go  in  and   out  of  the  house  with  do- 
mestic confidence,  feel  uneasy  when  left   alone,    and  on 
such  occasions,  have   sometimes   the  sagacity  of  calling 
attention    by   articulating   endearing    words,   as  pretty, 
pretty,  &-C.   connecting,   apparently   with  these  expres- 
sions,  their  general    import  of  attentive  blandishment. 
They  become  almost  naked  in  the   moulting  season,  in 
which  they  appear  to  suffer  considerably,  yet  have  been 
known  to  survive  for  17  years  or  upwards.     The  rufous 
color  of  the  breast  becomes  deeper  in  those  birds  which 
thus  live  in  confinement.     Their  principal  song  is  in  the 


They  often  also 
netimes  chip  in 
(id  with  an  affec- 
ind  ends  of  the 
a  season,  and 
the  latter  end  of 
a  cherries,  poke, 
re  so  intent  as  to 
1  numbers  ;  and 
nd  often  brought 
y  descend  to  the 
hich  then  consti- 

e  cage,  and  seem 
,  readily  learn  to 
have  been  taught 
solemn  a  measure 
lire  aluo  a  consid- 
notes  of  most  of 
;lue-bird,  Pewee, 
approached  with 
how  of  anger  by 
mes  they  become 
le  house  with  do- 
ft  alone,  and  on 
igacity  of  calling 
kords,  as  pretty, 
ith  these  cxpres- 
ve  blandishment, 
lulting  season,  in 
ly,  yet  have  been 
rds.  The  rufous 
those  birds  which 
pal  song  is  in  the 


■^1 


WOOD  THRUSH. 


343 


morning,  and  commences  before  sunrise,  at  which  time 
it  is  very  loud,  full,  and  emphatic. 

The  Robin  is  OJ  inches  in  length.  Head,  back  of  the  neck,  and 
tail,  black  ;  the  back  and  rump  ash-color.  The  wings  black,  edged 
with  pale  ash.  Three  small  spots  of  white  border  the  eye.  Throat 
and  upper  part  of  the  breast  black,  the  former  streaked  with  white. 
Below,  dark  orange  or  rufous.  Belly  and  vent  wliite.  Legs  dark 
brown.  Bill  yellow,  as  in  the  European  Blackbird;  sometimes 
dusky  brown  above  towards  the  tip.  The  colors  of  the  female  are 
paler.  The  young,  during  the  1st  season,  are  spotted  with  white  and 
dusky  on  the  l)reast,  and  at  that  time  bear  a  considerable  resemblance 
tfl  the  Fieldfare  of  Europe. 


WOOD  THRUSH. 

(Tardus  musttUnus,  Gm.  AuniBos,  pi.  73.  T.  melodus,  WitsoK, 
i.  p.  35.  pi.  2.  fig.  1.  Tawney  Thrush,  Pennant's  Arctic  Zoology, 
ii.  p.  19.  No.  1!)8.  Latham,  Synops.  iii.  p-  28.  No.  15.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Cinnamon-brown,  rufous  on  the  head  ;  rump  an 
tail  inclining  to  olive  ;  beneath  white,  spotted  with  blackish ;  taii 
short,  slightly  emarginate  ;  the  bill  of  moderate  length. 

This  solitary  and  retiring  songster,  during  summer, 
inhabits  the  whole  continent  from  Hudson's  Bay  to 
Florida;  and,  according  to  my  friend  Mr.  Ware,  breeds  as 
far  south  as  the  vicinity  of  Natchez,  in  the  territory  of 
Mississippi.  Whether  they  leave  the  boundaries  of  the 
United  States  in  the  winter,  is  not  satisfactorily  ascertain- 
ed ;  as  the  species  is  then  silent,  and  always  difficult  of 
access,  its  residence  is  rendered  peculiarly  doubtful. 
The  lateness  of  the  season  in  which  they  still  linger,  ren- 
ders it  probable,  that  they  may  winter  in  the  Southern 
States,  as  a  young  bird,  gleaning  insects  and  berries,  has 
been  caught  in  a  garden  in  Boston  on  the  2()th  of  Oc- 
tober. 


344 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


From  the  southern  parts  of  the  Union,  or  wherever  he 
may  winter,  the  Wood  Thrush  arrives  in  the  Middle 
States  from  the  1st  to  tlic  IStli  of  April  ;  though  iiis  ap- 
pearance here,  wiiere  the  species  is  scarce,  do<;s  not  take 
place  earlier  than  the  beginning  of  May.  At  the  dawn 
of  morning  he  now  announces  his  presence  in  the  woods, 
and  from  the  top  of  some  tall  tree,  rising  through  the 
dark  and  shady  forest,  he  pours  out  his  few,  clear,  and 
harmonious  notes  in  a  pleasing  reverie,  as  if  inspired  by 
the  enthusiasm  of  renovated  nature.  The  prelude  to 
this  song  resembles  almost  the  double  tonguing  of  the 
flute,  blended  with  a  tinkling,  shrill,  and  solemn  warble, 
which  reechoes  from  his  solitary  retreat,  like  the  dirge 
of  some  sad  recluse,  who  shuns  the  busy  haunts  of  life. 
The  whole  air  consists  usually  of  4  parts  or  bars,  which 
succeed,  in  deliberate  time,  and  finally  blend  together  in 
impres^ve  and  soothing  harmony,  becoming  more  mel- 
low and  sweet  at  every  repetition.  Rival  performers 
seem  to  challenge  each  other  from  various  parts  of  the 
wood,  vying  for  the  favor  of  their  mates,  with  sympathetic 

k.^responses  and  softer  tones  ;  and  some,  waging  a  jeslous 
strife,  terminate  the  warm  dispute  by  an  appeal  to  com- 
bat and  violence.  Like  the  Robin  and  the  Thrasher, 
in   dark    and    gloomy    weather,   when    other    birds    are 

.  sheltered  and  silent,  the  clear  notes  of  the  Wood 
Thrush  are  heard  through  the  dropping  woods,  from 
dawn  to  dusk,  so  that,  the  sadder  the  day,  the  sweeter 
and  more  constant  is  his  song.  His  clear  and  interrupt- 
ed whistle  is  likewise  often  nearly  the  only  voice  of  melo- 
dy heard  by  the  traveller,  to  mid-day,  in  the  heat  of  sum- 
mer, as  he  traverses  the  silent,  dark,  and  wooded  wilder- 
ness, remote  from  the  haunts  of  men.  It  is  nearly  impos- 
sible by  wor  Is  to  convey  any  idea  of  the  peculiar  warble 
of  this  vocal    ermit ;   but  amongst  his  phrases,  the  sound 


WOOD  THRISII. 


34A 


or  wlierever  he 
in  the  Middle 
thoiigli  iiis  ap- 
!,  (lo'.'s  not  take 
At  tlie  dawn 
e  in  the  woods, 
ng  through  the 
f<i\v,  ch-ar,  and 
i  if  inspired  by 
"lie  prelude  to 
Dnguing  of  the 
solemn  warble, 
like  the  dirge 
haunts  of  life, 
or  bars,  which 
3nd  together  in 
ing  more  inel- 
val  performers 
us  parts  of  the 
til  sympathetic 
iging  a  jealous 
appeal  to  com- 
tiie  Thrasher, 
her  birds  are 
of  the  Wood 
I  Moods,  from 
ly,  the  sweeter 
and  iuterrupt- 
'  voice  of  melo- 
le  heat  of  sum- 
ttooded  wilder- 
3  nearly  inipos- 
leculiar  warble 
ises,  the  sound 


oi'airoee,  peculiarly  liquid,  and  followed  by  a  trill,  re- 
peated in  two  interrupted  bars,  is  readily  recognisable. 
At  times  liieir  notes  bear  a  considerable  resemblance  to 
those  of  Wilson's  Tiirush  ;  such  as  vh  r/irhii  'rrhrhit,  then 
varied  to  'r/i  vill'in  rillia,  'ch  villia  vrhchu,  then,  'ch  vein 
villu,  high  and  shrill. 

The  Wood  Thrush  is  always  of  a  shy  and  retiring  dis- 
position, appearing   alone,   or  only   in   single   pairs,  and 
while  he  willingly  charms  us  with  his  song,  he  is  content 
and  even   solicitous  to  remain   concealed.     His  favorite 
haunts  are  low,  shady  glens  by  water-courses,  often  ren- 
dered dark  with  alder   bushes,  mantled  with  the  trailing 
grape-vine.     In  quest  of  his   insect  prey,  he  delights   to 
follow  the  meanders  of  the  rivulet,   through   whose  leafy 
shades  the  sun-beams  steal  only  in  a  few  interrupted  rays 
over   the   sparkling   surface  of  the  running   brook.     So 
partial  is  this  bird  to  solitude,  that  I  have  known  one  to 
sing  almost  uniformly  in  the  same  place,  though   nearly 
half  a  mile  from  his  mate  and  nest.     At  times  indeed  he 
would  venture  a  few  faltering,  low  notes  in  an  oak  near 
his  consort,  but  his  mellowest  morning  and  evening  war- 
ble was  always  delivered  from  a  tall  hickory,  overtopping 
a  grove  of  hemlock  firs,  in  which  the  dimness  of  twilight 
prevailed  even   at  noon.     The  Wood  Thrush,  like   the 
Nightingale,  therefore  feels  inspired  in  darkness,  but  in- 
stead of  waiting  for  the  setting  sun,  he  chooses  a  retreat 
where  the  beams  of  day  can  seldom  enter.     These  shady 
retreats  have  also  an  additional  attraction  to  our  Thrush  ; 
it  is  here  that  the  most   interesting   scene  of  his  instinc- 
tive labor  begins  and  ends ;   here  he   first   saw  the  light, 
and  breathed  into  existence  ;    and  h?re  he  now  bestows 
his  nest  in  a  sapling  oak,  or  in  the  next  thick  laurel  or 
blooming  alder,  whose  berries  afford  him  an  ample  repast 
in  the  coming  autumn.    Outwardly  it  presents  a  warm  bed 


846 


INSECTIVOROUS  niRDS. 


of  witliettil  beech  or  oak  leaves,  above  thc^tj  a  Ipyer  ni 
coarse  oUi  grass  and  leaf-stalks  is  laid,  ti-inpfned  with  a 
mixture  of  mud  and  decayed  wood  anioothl)  '.t^a^l.'red,  so  &n 
tj  form  a  rrust  like  the  net  of  tho  Robin  T'le  v  hoie  i-i 
then  surm(>\intcd  by  a  thin  linin.;  of  the  lihick,  fibrous 
radicles  of  the  fern.  Tiie  eggs,  4  or  5,  scarcely  distin- 
guishalde  fron;  those  of  tho  Robin,  ue  of  an  uniform 
bright  grernihii  blue  and  ilestitute  of  spot*.  Beetles, 
caterpillars,  various  insects.  anH  in  niitumn,  ber/iea 
constitute  the  prii'cipal  food  of  thi;  Wood  Thrush.  The 
youf'ir  rcniiiin  for  weeks  around  g?<rdf  in  in  quo^^t  of  ber- 
ries, and  are  particularly  fond  vl  those  of  t5<*  various 
j^pecics  of  cornel  and  viburnum.  At  this  season  they 
^M'casionnr.y  leave  their  favorite  glens,  and  in  their  devi- 
«ius  M  Jir.derings,  previous  to  their  departure,  sometimes 
leuSuie  to  visit  the  rural  suburbs  oi'  the  city.  The 
young  are  easily  reared,  and  sing  nearly  as  well  in  the 
cage  as  in  their  native  wilds. 

The  Wood  Thrush  measures  about  8  inche.'  in  length,  and  13 
in  alar  extent.  Above,  briglit  cinnamon-brown,  briglitening  into 
rufous  on  tlie  liead,  and  inclining  to  olive  on  the  rump  and  tail. 
Beneath,  whitisli,  thickly  marked  with  pencil-shiiped  du.sky  spots. 
The  vent  pure  wliite.  Orbits  of  the  eye  white.  Bill  dusky  brown, 
slightly  notched,  the  lower  ninndible  flesh-colored  towards  the  base. 
Legs  and  claws  very  pale  flesh-color.     Iris  dark  chocolate. 


LITTLE  OR  HERMIT  THRUSH. 

{Turdus  minor,  Gm.  Pennant,  ii.  p.  20.  No.  201.  T.  solitariiis, 
Wilson,  v.  p.  95.  pi.  43.  fig.  2.  Aldubon,  pi.  58.  [excellent.] 
Phil.  Museum,  No,  3.542.) 

Sp.  Chakact.  —  Olive-brown,  inclining  to  rufous  on  the  tail ;  be- 
neath brownish  white,  spotted  with  dusky  brown  on  the  breast 
and  under  the  wings  ;   tail  short  and  eniarginate  ;    the  bill  short. 


IJL. 


thoi^o  :x  Ipyor  of 
tempt v?d  with  a 
il)  ula-  ti;-c(l,  so  asi 
n  T'ifc  y  hole  >-. 
he  iilnck,  fibrous 
»,  sc.accly  distin- 
ive  of  an  uniform 

■  spot*.     Beetles, 
nntumn,    berries 

->d  Tlirush.  The 
^  in  quest  of  ijCT- 
se  of  t}'<'  various 
tliis  tjcason  they 
and  in  their  devi- 
irture,  sometinifs 

■  the  city.  The 
rly  as  well  in  the 


t.T  in  Ipiigth,  and  13 
,vn,  briglitening  into 
1  the  rump  and  tail. 
l-shiiped  dusky  spots. 
.  Bill  dusky  brown, 
red  towards  the  base. 
[  chocolate. 


RUSH. 

>.  20).     T.  solitarius, 
I,  pi.  58.  [excellent.] 

fous  on  the  tail ;   be- 

brown  on  the  breast 

inate  ;    the  bill  short. 


LITTLE  OR  HEHMIT  THRUSH. 


347 


Tnis  species,  so  much  like  the  Night' :gale  in  color, 
is  scarce  inferior  to  that  celebrated  bird  in  its  powers  of 
song,  *  and  greatly  exceeds  the  Wood  Thrush  in  the 
melody  and  sweetness  of  its  lay.  It  inhabits  the  United 
State '  from  the  lofty  alpine  mountains  of  New  Hamp- 
shire to  Florida.  It  is  also  met  with  on  the  table  land 
of  Mexico,  and  in  the  warmer  climate  of  the  Antilles. 
In  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  and  New  England,  at  the 
close  of  autumn,  it  appears  to  migrate  eastward  to  the 
sea-coast  in  quest  of  the  winter  berries,  on  which  it  now 
feeds ;  in  spring  and  summer  it  lives  chiefly  on  insects 
and  their  larva;,  and  also  collects  the  surviving  berries  of 
the  Mitihrlla  rcprns. 

Like  the  preceding  species,  it  appears  to  court  solitude, 
and  lives  wholly  in  the  woods.  In  the  Southern  States, 
where  it  inhabits  the  whole  year,  it  frequents  the  dark 
and  desolate  sliades  of  the  cane  swamps.  In  these,  almost 
Stygian  regions,  which,  besides  being  cool,  abound  prob- 
ably with  its  favorite  insect  food,  we  are  nearly  sure  to 
meet  our  sweetly  vocal  hermit  flitting  through  the  settled 
gloom,  which  the  brightest  rays  of  noon  scarcely  illumine 
with  more  than  twilight.  In  one  of  such  swar-ps,  in  the 
Choctaw  nation,  Wilson  examined  a  nest  of  this  species, 
which  was  fixed  on  the  horizontal  branch  of  a  tree,  form- 
ed with  great  neatness  and  without  using  any  plastering 
of  mud.  The  outside  was  made  of  a  layer  of  coarse 
grass,  having  the  roots  attached,  and  intermixed  with 
horse-hair  ;  the  lining  consisted  of  green  filiform  blades 
of  dry  grass,  very  neatly  wound  about  the  interior.  The 
eiTgs,  4  to(),of  a  pale  greenish  blue,  were  marked  towards 
the  great  end  with  specks  and  blotches  of  olive. 


*  .My  friund,  Mr.  C.  Pickuring,  remarks,  thnttho  song  of  this  spocica  is  far  superior 
to  that  of  the  Wood  Thruali.     Wilson  considered  it  muto. 


848 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


In  tliG  Middle  States  this  species  is  only  seen  for  a 
few  weeks  in  the  spring  and  fall.  They  arrive  in  this 
part  of  New  England  about  the  10th  of  April,  and  dis- 
perse to  pass  the  summer  in  the  Hccliision  of  the  forest. 
They  arc  often  ween  on  the  ground  in  quest  of  their  food, 
and  frc<iuent  low  and  thick  copses,  into  wiiich  they  com- 
monly lly  for  concealment  when  too  attentively  observed  ; 
though  when  in  small  companies,  in  the  spring  season, 
they  do  not  appear  very  yhy,  but  restless,  from  the 
unsettled  state  of  their  circumstances.  When  dispersed, 
they  utter  alow,  chirping  call,  and  for  some  time  continue 
to  frequent  the  same  secluded  part  of  the  forest  in  soci- 
ety. At  times,  like  the  Wagtail,  they  keep  this  part  of 
their  body  in  a  slow,  vertical  motion.  In  manners  it 
strongly  resembles  the  following  species  ;  but  its  song 
seems  to  be  unusually  lively  and  varied,  warbling  almost 
like  the  Yellow  Bird,  and  then  chanting  like  the  Robin. 
In  Lower  Louisiana,  they  are  said  to  raise  two  broods  in 
the  season. 

The  length  of  the  Hermit  Thrush  is  about  74  inches ;  akr  extent  lOJ. 
Above,  plain  deep  olive-brown.  Below,  dull  white  ;  upper  port  of  the 
breast  and  throat  of  a  delicate  cream  color,  inclining  to  nankeen ;  the 
dusky  brown  pencillated  spots  carried  over  the  breast  and  under  the 
wings  where  the  sides  are  pale  olive  ;  3d  primary  longest,  inner  webs 
inclining  to  dusky,  the  outer  nearly  as  rufous  as  the  tail ;  on  the  inner 
webs  of  the  secondaries  a  large  oval  spot  of  bright  nankeen  color. 
Tail  and  coverts,  as  well  as  the  wings,  strongly  tinged  with  rufous. 
Legs  pale  flesh-color,  the  tarsus  very  long.  Bill  M "ck  above  the 
lower  mandible,  flesh-colored  below.  Iris  nearly  black,  and  large.  — 
The  female  darker,  and  with  the  spots  on  the  breast  larger  and  more 
dusky. 

Note.  The  Brmcn  Thrush  of  Pennant  and  Latham  agrees  pretty 
nearly  with  the  Hermit  Thrush  (T.  soUtarius)  of  Wilson,  and  dif- 
fers, in  several  important  particulars,  with  the  bird  of  tliis  article. 
The  bird  of  Wilson's  figure,  if  correctly  done,  1  have  never  seen 
in  Massachusetts. 


only  seen  for  a 
ley  arrive  in  this 

April,  and  dis- 
^n  of  the  forest, 
lest  of  their  food, 
wliich  they  com- 
ntively  observed ; 
e  spring  season, 
istless,  from  the 
When  dittperscd, 
me  time  continue 
le  forest  in  soci- 
kecp  this  part  of 
I.  In  manners  it 
Bs  ;  but  its  song 
,  warbling  almost 
g  like  the  Robin, 
lise  two  broods  in 


dies ;  alar  extent  lOJ. 
ite  ;  upper  port  of  the 
ling  to  nankeen  ;  the 
breast  and  under  the 
y  longest,  inner  webs 
the  tail ;  on  the  inner 
irigJit  nankeen  color. 
^  tinged  with  rufous. 
Bill  M-ck  above  the 
ly  black,  and  large — 
reast  larger  and  more 

jatham  agrees  pretty 
)  of  Wilson,  and  dif- 
8  bird  of  this  article. 
!,  I  have  never  seen 


Wilson's  THRirsii,  or  veery. 
WILSON'S  THRUSH,  on  VEERY. 


349 


(  Turdui  Wilaonii,  Bonap.  T.  muatelinus,  Wilso.i  (not  of  Oihel.), 
V.  p.  !)ti.  pi.  43,  flg.  3.  Littli-  Thrush,  Lath.  Synops.  iii.  |i,  iiO. 
(not  (if  Pknnant,  &.C.)     Phil.  Muneum,  No.  .'i.'iTO.) 

Sr,  CitAHACT,  —  Tttwny-browii ;  lienentli  whitish,  with  dusky  spots 
on  the  tliroat,  whicli  is  inclined  to  tawny  yellow  ;  tail  short, 
nearly  even,  the  feathers  pointed  ;  bill  short. 

This  common  northern  species  arrives  in  Pennsylva- 
nia and  New  England  ai)out  the  beginning  of  May.  How 
far  they  extend  their  northern  migration  is  uncertain, 
though  probably  to  Labrador.  They  appear  to  retire  to 
the  south  early  in  October,  and  arc  more  decidedly  in- 
sectivorous than  any  other  native  species.  According  to 
Wilson,  many  winter  in  the  myrtle  swamps  of  South 
Carolina.  I  have  not,  however,  .seen  them  in  the  South- 
ern States  at  that  season,  and  most  part  of  the  species 
pass  on  probably  as  far  as  the  coast  of  the  Mexican 
Gulf  They  do  not,  according  to  Wil.son,  breed  in  the 
lower  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  though  undoubtedly  in  the 
mountainous  districts,  where  they  arc  seen  as  late  as  the 
20th  of  May.  They  propagate  and  are  very  common  in 
Massachusetts. 

In  its  retiring  habits  and  love  of  concealment  this 
Thrush  resembles  the  preceding.  They  frequent  the 
dark  and  shady  borders  of  small  brooks  and  woods,  and 
sometimes  the  bushy  and  retired  parts  of  the  garden  ; 
from  whence,  without  being  often  seen,  in  the  morning, 
and  particularly  the  evening,  to  the  very  approach  of 
night,  we  often  hear  the  singular,  quaint,  and  musical 
note  of  this  querulous  species,  at  short  intervals,  as  he 
perches  upon  some  low  branch  of  a  tree  or  bush.  This 
curious  whistling  note  sounds  like  'vc/iii  'v'lrhii  'v'rchu 
'v'reku,  and  sometimes  'i>ea  vca  'vreha  'vrehd  vehu,  run- 
ning up  the  notes  till  they  become  shrill  and  quick  at 
30 


860 


iNaFCTivoRorn  ninns. 


Ml: 


thf  Hov'-,  .-.  ihe  first  phrase  ;    but  from  hisr>.  to  low,  and 
fcriiuu..iinn-  Mcii.ler  and  »lou ,  m  the  latter  ;   another  ex- 
prefision  aCinns  to  be,  've   vcd  vrhun;   aHCcndi.ig   like  a 
whistle.  The  Rong  of  another  individual  was  expressed  in 
the  following  manner  ,  'vc  'vilhll  'vilhH  HuUuU  'tullul.    It 
wa.  then  repeated  with  variation,  'rr  rilMlil  rittUI  villUl : 
then  villUlill  vUlUlill,  tuimm  tulUUIh    the  whole  agreea- 
bly and   .ingularh    >i   ..       ■      n   a  shrill,   hollow  voice, 
almost    like    the    sound   of    liquor    passing    through    a 
funnel  into  a  bottle.     T  have  also  heard  several  of  these 
sounds,  sometimes  occasionally  prefaced  by  a  mewuig  or 
chirping    warble.     These    sounds,    though    monotonous, 
arc  posMssed  of  greater  variety  than  is  at  first  .magined 
the  terminating  tone  or  key  changing   through   several 
repetitions,  so  as  to  constitute  a  harmony   and    melody, 
in   some   degree     approaching   the    song    of    the    more 
musical    Wood   Thrush.      From   this   habit    of    seren- 
ading into  the  nitfht,  the  species  i.s  sometime,  here  digni- 
fled  with  the  nick-  ime  of  the   Nightingale.     Occasion- 
ally he  utter,,  an  angry,  rather  plaintive   mew.    like  the 
Cat-bird,  or  a  quivering  bleat,  almost  similar  to  that  of  a 
lamb,  and,  when    approached,  watches   and   follows  the 
intruder  with  an  an.  ry  or  petulant  quedh  juca/, ;  at  otl 
times    a  sort  of   mewing,   melancholy ,  or  complaining 
y'eoiv  'y'cotc  is  heard  ;    and   thm     perhaps,   a  hasty  and 
impatient  piut  pent  follows.     The   lood  of  thi.s   ^.ecies. 
at  least  during  the  -arly  part  of  summer,   appears  to  be 
shelly  Insects  of  v     lous  kinds,  particularly  Chrysome.las, 
or  ladj-L.ugs.  an.    uiose  many  legged  hard  v.orms  ot  the 

genus  fulus. 

A  f^ood  while  after  the  commencement  of  the  period 
,.,  incubation,  I  ha.-  observed  t  .-  males  engaged  in  ob- 
stinate quarrels.  On  the  4th  of  June  (1830)  I  oh.  rved 
two  of  these  petulan.,  Thrushe,-=  thus  riercely  and     ul- 


hig'i  to  low,  and 
Iter  ;  another  ex- 
[iHCcnding  like  a 
I  wiiH  cxpresseii  in 
'tiiUull'tuUul.  It 
inilil  rillll/vimil: 
the  whole  agrcca- 
ill,  hollow  voice, 
sfing  through  a 
d  several  of  these 
d  hy  a  tnewing  or 
lucrh    monotonous, 

at  first  imagined, 
I  throtigh  several 
lony  and  melody, 
)iig    of    the    more 

liahit    of    fpren- 
letimcs  here  digni- 
ingale.     Occasion- 
ive   mew.   like  the 
similur  to  that  of  a 
H   and    follows  thr 
•ah  jurdfi ;  at  (it' 
J,  or  complaining 
rhaps,   a  hasty  und 
od  of  this   -jiecies, 
ner,   appears  to  be 
ilarly  Chrysomelas, 
hard  v/ornis  of  the 

ment  of  the  period 

ales  engaged  in  ob- 

(1830)  I  obi.  'ved 

IS   fiercely   and     'ul- 


WILHON  ■  TlinWNII,  OR  VEKIIY. 


351 


ously  contending  ;  one  of  tliem  uiicd  a  plaintive  and 
angry  tone  as  hu  chased  his  antagonist  up  and  down 
the  tree  ;  iii  length,  however,  a  cousin  Ciu-hird,  to  which 
this  species  has  some  affinity,  slept  in  bc'twixt  tlii!  com- 
batants, and  they  soon  parted.  One  of  these  birds  hud 
a  nest  and  mate  in  the  gooseberry  bush  of  a  neighimur- 
ing  garden  ;  the  second  bird  was  thus  a  dissatisfied  her- 
mit, and  spent  many  weeks  in  the  IJotauic  Garden, 
where,  thou^'h  at  times  sad  and  solitary,  yet  he  constantly 
atnused  us  with  his  forlorn  song,  and  seemed  at  last,  as 
it  were,  acquainted  with  those  who  whistled  for  him, 
peeping  out  of  the  bushes  with  a  sort  of  complaisant  cu- 
riosity, and  from  his  almost  nocturnal  habits  became  a 
great  persecutor  of  the  assassin  *  ',  whenever  he  dared 
to  make  his  a|>|)earaiice. 

The  nt  '  of  Wilson's  Thrush  (commenced  about  the 
close  of  thi'  first  week  in  May)  is  usually  in  a  low  and 
thorny  bush,  in  the  darkest  part  of  the  forest,  at  no  great 
distance  from  the  ground  I  to  3  feet),  sometimes  indeed 
on  the  earth,  but  raised  by  a  bed  of  leaves,  and  greatly 
resembles  that  of  the  Cat-bird.  '"ids  species  seems, 
indi .  '  security  artfully  to  depend  on  tlie  resemblance 
of  itsi  inu  its  leafy  nest  with  the  bosom  of  the  forest  on 
which  it  rests,  and  when  approached  it  sits  so  close  as 
„  rly  I  '  udmii  of  being  taken  up  by  the  band.  The 
nest  ;  ime      ippears  without  any   shelter   i)ut  shade 

a  id  a^.  on    if  C(     rs  with  the  place  on  which  it  rests. 

I  have  seen  placed  on  a  mass  of  prostrated  dead 

Hrambl'"^ ;  on  a  fallen  heapof  lilac  twigs  in  a  ravine;  and 
also  in  u  ?mall  withered  branch  of  red  oak,  which  had 
fallen  into  a  bush  ;  below,  it  was  also  bedded  with  exactly 
similar  leaves,  so  as  easily  ti,  uoceivc  the  eye.  But  with 
all  these  precautions  they  appe.i  to  lose  many  eggs  and 
young  by  squirrels  and  other     -    lals.     The  nest  is  usu- 


352 


INPIU'TlVOROirH    DIHD*. 


ally  Imttomed  with  ilry  oak  or  beech  loavoH  coarse  stalks 
oC^rnsM  ami  wco.Ih,  and  lineU  very  generally  with  natur- 
ally (lissoclt'.l  folin«(%  i  s  stalks,  »oino  tine  j,'ra«s,  and, 
nt  otluT  timfH,  a  nuxtiirc  of  rnot-fihrcH  ;  hut  no  earth  is 
em  I  yed  in  thu  fubric.  The  ««>,'«,  4  or  5,  are  of  an  em- 
eraia  green,  without  spotn,  and  differ  from  those  of  the 
Cat-hird  only  in  boing  a  little  smaller  niid  more  inclined 
to  blu.>.  So  t*hy  is  the  species,  I  hat  though  I  feii^nud  a 
violent  chirping  near  thr  m!s(  .mtaining  their  young, 
which  brought  Sparrows,  nnd  a  noiglibouring  Baltimore 
to  the  rescue,  the;  parents,  poepin;,'  at  a  distance,  did  not 
venture  to  approach,  or  even  express  any  marked  con- 
cern, though  (h<7  prove  very  watchful  guardians  when 
their  brood  are  tledged  and  with  them  in  the  woods. 
They  have  commonly  two  broocN  in  the  season;  the  sec- 
ond being  raised  about  the  middle  of  July  ;  after  which 
their  mu  ical  notes  are  but  seldom  hear.l.  I  afterwards, 
by  an  accident,  obtained  a  young  lle.iged  bird,  which  re- 
tained in  the  cage  ih.'  unsocial  and  silent  timidity  pe- 
culiar  to  the  specii's, 

Wilson's  Thrush  \a  ubout  /  inches  Ion-,  nn<l  12  in  alar  extent. 
Above,  of  nn  uniform  Uvvny-brown.  M.'neath  white;  the  side,  of 
tlie  breast  nu.l  un.ler  tlie  wiuKH,  slightly  ling.-l  with  ash-color;  chin 
while  ;  throat  and  m-p.-r  part  of  the  breast  cream-color,  in  ked  with 
pointed  spots  of  brown.  The  tail  nearly  even,  tlie  shafts,  as  well  as 
those  of  the  wing-quills,  continued  a  little  beyonil  their  webs.  Dili 
black  above,  below  (lesh-colored  at  base.  Iris  dark.  Legs  slender, 
pole  brown. 


Subgenus.  —  SF.icnrs.     (Genus  Seiurus,  Swainson.) 

Bill  scarcely  depressed  at  base,  and  with  the  bristles  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  mouth  scarcely  visible.  —  The  two  species  here  associated 
have  little  alFinity  in  character  and  habit;  they  are  however  insep- 
arable  from  the  true  Thrushes,  and  are  rather  remarka    >■  for  the 


NEW  IfOHK  on   AQUATIC  TIIRL-i^II. 


353 


'en.  coarse  stalks 
rally  with  natur- 

tirn"  i»rnHx,  ini'l) 
hut  no  ca.Tt\\  is 
r>,  are  of  nii  eiii- 
IVoni  thost'  of  the 
iid  more  inclined 
()ii>,'ii  I  ffij^nt'd  u 
ma  their  young, 
nmun  Baltimore 
distance,  did  not 
any  marked  con- 

jfuardians  when 
m  in   the  woods. 

season  ;  the  aec- 
uly  ;  after  which 
1.  I  afterwards, 
(1  bird,  which  re- 
lent timidity   i)c- 


d  12  in  alar  extent. 

whit*  ;  the  sidea  of 
with  ash-color ;  cliin 
m-color.  III: 'ked  with 
llif  Hliiifls,  UH  well  as 
(ind  their  webs.     Bill 

dark.     Legs  slender, 


Rrs,  Swainson.) 

>  bristles  at  the  open- 
peries  liere  associated 
y  are  however  insep- 
r  remarku  '■<■  fnr  the 


habit  of  movinsf  the  tail.  In  7'.  aurocapillus,  the  trhite  and  spotted 
«ge»,  very  artful  nest,  ami  iiiiiial  niDnotuiioiiH  rttttliii){  notps,  are  ex- 
ceptions to  its  urrunijenieni  either  in  Sylcia  or  Tardus,  except  a«  a 
■ubgenuf. 


NEW  YORK  oil  AQUATIC  THRUSH. 

{Turdua  noreborartnis.  Nobis.  T.  uquatiais,  Audubon,  pi.  19. 
Wi(  soK,  iii.  p.  (iti.  |,1.  ji:!.  fijr.  ').  Sijifia  nuttboractntia,  Latham 
and  BoNAi'.     I'hil.  Miimmihi,  No.  (WMi.) 

Sp.  CiiAnACT.  —  Dark  olive  ;  beneath  and  line  over  the  eye  yellow- 
ish white  ;  breast  and  sides  with  dusky  pencil-shaped  spots. 

Tnis  shy  and  rotirinff  sylvan  species  e,\tends  its  sum- 
mar  migrations  tliroiif,'liout  the  United  States,  breeding 
rarely  in  Pennsylvania,  proceeding  principally  to  the 
mountainous  We.stern  and  Northern  regions  at  the  pe- 
riod of  incubation. 

The  New  York  Warbler  has  a  particular  partiality  for 
the  vicinity  of  waters,  wading  in   the  ?iliallow  streams  in 
search  of  aquatic  insects,  moving  its   tail  as  it  leisurely 
follows  its  pursuit,  and  chattering  as  it  (lies.     During  its 
transient  migrating  visits  it  is  very  timid,   and  darts  into 
the  thickets  as  .soon  as  approached,  uttering  a  sharp  and 
i.ither  plaintive  tship'  of  alarm.     About  the  beginning  of 
May,  it    appears   in    Pennsylvania   from  the  South,  and 
stays  around  dark  and  siditary  streams  for  10  or  12  days, 
end  then  disapj)ears   until  about  the  middle  of  August, 
when,  on  their  way  to  their  tropical  winter  quarters,  they 
leave  the  swamps  and  mountains  of  their  summer  retreat 
and,  after  again   gleaning   a  transient  subsistence  for  a 
few  days  towards  the  sea-coast,  depart  for  the  season.  la 
Massachusetts,  they  are  scarce'y  ever  seen  except  in  the 
autumn,  and  continue  in  shady  gardens,  probably  feed- 
30* 


354  INSECTIVOROUS  niUDS. 

ing  on  small  wild  berries  till  nearly  the  close  of  Septem- 
ber. 

It  appears,  according  to  Wilson,  that  the   favorite  re- 
sort of  this,  or  a  nearly  allied  species  (the  Tardus  ludo- 
vicianus  of  Audnbon),  is  in   the  cane-brakes,  swamps, 
river  shores,  and  watery  solitudes  of  Louisiana,  Tennes- 
see, and  Mississippi.     Here  they  are  abundant,  and  are 
eminently  distinguished  by  the  loudness,  sweetness,  and 
expressive  vivacity  of  their  notes,  which,  like  the  Night- 
ingale's, beginning  high  and  clear,  flow  and  descend  in 
a  cadence  so  delicate  as  to  terminate  in  sounds,  scarcely 
audible  above  the  whispering  breeze.     At  such  times  he 
sits  perched  on  some  bvanch  which   stretches  impending 
over  the  flowing  strer.m,  and  pours  out  his  charming  mel- 
ody  with   such  eff-ectastobe   heard   at  the  distance  of 
nearh    half    a   mile,    giving  a  peculiar  charm    to   the 
dark'nnd    solitary    wilds  he    inhabits.     The   silence  of 
night  is,  abo,  at  times,  relieved  by  the  incessant  warble 
of  this  Western  Philomel,  whose  voice,  breaking  upon  the 
ear  of  the  'onely  traveller   in   the  wilderness,  seems  like 
the   dulcet  lay  of  some  fairy   vision.     His   song  is  also 
heard  in  the  winter,  when   the  weather  proves  mild.     In 
this  habit  he   appears   considerably    allied   to  the  Reed 
Thrush*  or   River  Nightingale  of  Europe,  which  night 
and  day  almost  ceaselessly  sings   and  soothes  his  sitting 
mate,  among  the  reeds   r<nd   marshes  of  his   favorite  re- 
sorts'   This    bird,    in    Louisiana,    commences   its    nest 
early  in  April.     It  is  placed  usually  at  the  foot  of  a  tree, 
or  by  the  side  of  a  decayed   log,   and  is   forn.ed  of  dry 
leaves,  moss,   and  fine  grass,   being   lined  with   hair    or 
the    similar    fibres   of    the   Spanish   moss    {Tilandsia). 
The  eags  are  4  or  6,  flesh-color,  with  dark  red  spots  at 
the  greater  end.     When  startledjrom^hei-egg^or  young, 

'  •  Turdua  arantUnaceus. 


1  close  of  Septem- 

it  the  favorite  re- 
(the  Turdtts  ludo- 
le-brakes,  swamps, 
ouisiana,  Tennes- 
ibundant,  and  are 
3SS,  sweetness,  and 
ch,  like  the  Night- 
iw  and  descend  in 
in  sounds,  scarcely 

At  such  times  he 
tretches  impending 
t  his  charming  mel- 
at  the  distance  of 
iliar  charm    to   the 
s.     The   silence  of 
le  incessant  warble 
:,  breaking  upon  the 
Iderness,  seems  like 
.     His   song  is  also 
ler  proves  mild.     In 

allied  to  the  Reed 
Europe,  which  night 
d  soothes  his  sitting 
s  of  his  favorite  re- 
commences its  nest 
at  the  foot  of  a  tree, 
nd  is   formed  of  dry 

lined  with  hair  or 
1  moss  {Tilandsia). 
ith  dark  red  spots  at 
m  her  eggs  or  young, 


liOLDEN-CROWNED  THRUSH,   OR  OVEN-BIRD, 


355 


the  female  tumbles  in  the  path  and  simulates  lameness. 
In  this  bird,  according  to  Audubon,  the  legs  and  feet  are 
of  a  deep  bluish  brown,  and  the  tail  forked.  It  does  not 
appear  to  be  strictly  aquatic.  The  northern  bird,  also, 
is  never  heard  to  sing,  and  the  country  in  which  it 
breeds  is  unknown. 

The  Aquatic  Thrush  is  about  C  inches  long,  and  OJ  in  alar  extent. 
Above  very  dark  olive,  with  a  line  of  whitish  extending  over  the 
eye,  and  along  the  sides  of  the  neck.  Below,  white,  tinged  with 
pale  yellow  ;  the  whole  breast  and  sides  marked  witli  dark  brown 
pencil-shaped  spots.  Bill  dusky  brown.  Legs  flesh-colored.  Tail 
nearly  even.     The  sexes  almost  alike  in  plumage. 


GOLDEN-CROWNED  THRUSH,  or  OVEN-BIRD. 

(  Turdus  aurocapillus,  Wii-son,  ii.  p.  88.  pi.  14.  fig.  2.     Sylvia  auro- 
capilla,  BoNAp.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Yellow-olive;  crown  brownish-orange,  margined 
on  each  side  by  a  dusky  line  ;  beneath  white,  the  breast  spotted 
with  blackish. 

This  rather  common  bird,  so  nearly  allied  to  the  true 
Thrushes,  is  found  throughout  the  forests  of  the  United 
Statrs  during  the  summer,  arriving  in  the  Middle  and 
Northern  States  about  the  beginning  of  May  or  close  of 
April,  and  departing  for  tropical  America,  Mexico,  and 
ihe  larger  West  India  islands  early  in  September. 

The  Golden-crowned  Thrush,  shy  and  retuing,  is 
never  seen  out  of  the  shade  of  the  woods,  and  sits  and 
runs  along  the  ground  often  like  the  Lark  ;  it  also  fre- 
quents the  branches  of  trees,  and  sometimes  moves  its 
tail  in  the  manner  of  the  Wagt'iils.  It  has  few  preten- 
sions to  song,  and  while  perched   in   the  deep  and  shady 


T^ 


356 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


part  of  the  forest,  it  utters,  at  intervals,  a  simple,  long 
reiterated  note  of  'tsh'e  tshe  tshe  tshe  tshe,  rising  from 
low  to  high  and  shrill,  so  as  to  give  but  little  idea  of  the 
distance  or  place  from  whence  the  sound  proceeds,  and 
often  appearing  from  the  loudness  of  the  closing  cadence 
to  be  much  nearer  than  it  really  is.  As  soon  as  discov- 
ered, like  the  Wood  Thrush,  it  darts  at  once  timidly  into 
the  depths  of  its  sylvan  retreat.  During  the  period  of 
incubation,  the  deliberate  lay  of  the  male,  from  some 
horizontal  branch  of  the  forest  tree,  where  he  often  sits 
usually  still,  is  a  'tshe  tetshc  te  tshe  tetshce,  gradually  ris- 
ing and  growing  louder.  Towards  dusk  in  the  evening, 
however,  it  now  and  then  utters  a  sudden  burst  of  notes 
with  a  short  agreeable  warble,  which  terminates,  common- 
ly in  the  usual  'tshe  te  tshe.  Its  curious  oven-shaped  nest 
is  known  to  all  the  sportsmen  who  traverse  the  solitary 
wilds  which  it  inhabits.  This  ingenious  fabric  is  sunk 
a  little  into  the  ground,  and  generally  situated  on  some 
dry  and  moss^y  bank  contiguous  to  bushes,  or  on  an  un- 
cleared surface ;  it  is  formed  with  great  neatness  of  dry 
blades  of  grass,  and  lined  with  the  same  ;  it  is  then  sur- 
mounted by  a  thick  inclined  roof  of  similar  materials,  the 
surface  scattered  with  leaves  and  twigs  so  as  to  match  the 
rest  of  the  ground,  and  an  entrance  is  left  at  the  side. 
Near  Milton  hills,  in  this  vicinity,  the  situation  chosen  was 
among  low  whortleberry  bushes,  in  a  stunted  cedar  and 
oak  grove.  The  eggs,  4  or  5,  white,  are  irregularly  spot- 
ted near  the  greater  end,  with  reddish  brown.  When  sur- 
prised, the  bird  escapes,  or  runs  from  the  nest  with  the 
silence  and  celerity  of  a  mouse.  If  an  attempt  be 
made  to  discover  the  nest  from  which  she  is  flushed,  she 
stops,  flutters,  and  pretends  lameness,  and  watching  the 
success  of  the  manoeuvre,  at  length,  when  the  decoy 
seems  complete,  she  takes  t  j  -ving  and  disappears.    This 


WATER  OUSELS. 


357 


a  simple,  long 
she,  rising  from 
ittle  idea  of  the 
(1  proceeds,  and 
closing  cadence 
i  soon  as  discov- 
)nce  timidly  into 
ig  the  period  of 
lale,  from  some 
lere  he  often  sits 
cc,  gradually  ris- 

in  the  evening, 
a  burst  of  notes 
inates,  common- 
)ven-sliaped  nest 
■erse  the  solitary 
i  fabric  is  sunk 
ituated  on  some 
les,  or  on  an  un- 
neatness  of  dry 

;  it  is  then  gur- 
ar  materials,  the 
•  as  to  match  the 

left  at  the  side, 
ition  chosen  was 
unted  cedar  and 
irregularly  spot- 
)wn.  When  sur- 
le  nest   with  the 

an  attempt  be 
le  is  flushed,  she 
nd  watching  the 
rvhen  the  decoy 
isappears.    This 


bird  is  another  of  the  foster-parents  sometimes  chosen  by 
the  Cow  Troopial ;  and  she  rears  the  foundling  with  her 
accustomed  care  and  affection,  and  keeps  up  an  incessant 
tsliip  when  her  unfledged  brood  are  even  distantly  ap- 
proached. They  have  often  two  broods  in  a  season  in 
the  Middle  States.  Their  food  is  wholly  insects  and 
their  larvm,  particularly  small  coleopterous  kinds  and  ants, 
chiefly  collected  on  the  ground. 

This  species  is  C  inches  long,  and  9  in  alar  extent.  Above  rich 
yellow-olive ;  the  tips  of  the  wings  and  inner  vanes  of  the  quills  dusky 
brown;  tlie  H  first  priniiiries  are  about  equal.  From  the  nostrils  a 
dusky  line  passes  to  the  hind  head ;  crown  brownish-orange.  Be- 
low wiiite,  the  breast  ccvcred  with  deep  brown  pencil-shaped  spots. 
Legs  puk'  flesh.color.  Bill  dusky,  below  whitish.  In  the  female 
the  crown  is  paler. 


WATER  OUSELS.     (Cinclus,  Cvvier.) 

In  these  birds  the  bill  is  of  moderate  size,  straight,  compressed, 
tlie  edges  sharp  and  sliglitly  incurved,  and  with  the  point  of  the  up- 
per mandible  curved  over  the  lower.  Nostrils  basal,  lateral,  con- 
cave, longitudinal,  and  covered  by  a  membrane.  —  Tarsus  longer 
than  the  middle  toe ;  outer  toe  attached  to  the  inner  at  the  base,  the 
lateral  toes  equal.     Wings,  with  the  3d  and  4th  primaries  longest. 

The  female  scarcely  differs  in  plumage  from  the  male  ;  —  the 
young  more  tinged  with  rufous.  The  moult  is  annual ;  and  the  plu- 
mage water-proof. 

These  curious  birds  associate  only  in  single  pairs,  and  frequent 
brooks  and  clear  streams,  diving  and  walking  on  the  gravelly  bottom 
beneath  the  surface  of  the  water,  which  constitutes  their  tiivorite 
element.  They  feed  on  aquatic  in»ects,  small  crustacen,  and  the 
spawn  of  the  trout.  They  build  in  tlie  vicinity  of  rivulets,  a  well 
concealed,  covi  red,  and  very  artful  nest.  Their  flight  is  rapid, 
strnigh'  .ind  skimming  along  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  voice 
is  feeble  and  shrill.  —  The  genus  consist  of  only  2  or  3  species  indige- 
nous to  the  northern,  or  mild  regions. 


358 


INSECTIVOnOUS  BIRDS. 


BLACK  WATER-OUSEL,  or  DIPPER. 

{Cinclua  Pallasii,  Temm.  Bonap.    Am.  Orn.  3.  pi.  16.  fig.  1.  Phil 
Museum,  No.         ) 

Sp.  Chaiiact.  — Wholly  dark  cinereous. 

This  species,  of  a  very  remarkable  genus,  chiefly  dis- 
tinguished from  that  of  Europe  by  the  absence  of  the 
white  on  the  chin  and  throat,  seems  to  have  been  first 
noticed  by  Pallas  in  the  Crimea,*  and  afterwards  by  Mr. 
Bullock  in  Mexico,  from  whence  it  appears,  by  an  ex- 
clusive interior  route,  to  penetrate  into  the  wild  and  re- 
mote interior  of  Canada  as  far  as  the  shores  of  the  Atha- 
baska  lake,  where  the  specimen  was  obtained  which  afford- 
ed the  figure  for  Bonaparte's  splendid  Continuation  of  the 
American  Ornithology. 

Of  the  particular  habits  of  this  bird,  nothing  is  yet 
known.  The  common  European  species  are  shy  and  sol- 
itary birds,  dwelling  near  clear  and  tumultuous  moun- 
tain streams,  from  the  torrents  of  the  Alps  and  Appen- 
nines,  to  the  wilds  of  Scotland.  It  is  also  seen,  even  by 
the  close  of  March,  in  Sweden,  and  Finland  on  the  banks 
of  the  Tornea,  near  to  cataracts,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
polar  circle. t  They  are  never  seen  to  nerch  on  branches, 
frequent  the  gravelly  beds  of  rivulets  strewn  with  rocks, 
and  flit  from  stone  to  stone,  at  times,  attentively  watching 
thei-  aquatic  prey  ;  as  soon  as  it  is  espied,  they  plunge 
after  it,  beneath  the  water  to  the  bottom,  and  never 
hesitate  lo  enter  the  stream,  and  precipitate  themselves 
without  fear  or  danger  amidst  the  eddies  of  the  brawling 
flood.      They  even  nest,  occasionally,  in  the  cavities,  be- 


^  iJonapafto  is  of  opinion  tlmt  tho  spocimons  of  Tcmniinck,  received  from  Pallu, 
wore  probably  derived  from  America,  and  not  from  Tartary. 

t  Skioldelirand's  Picturesque  Voyage  to  Capo  North,    p.  15,  (French  translation. ) 


MPPER. 

pl.  16.  fig.  1.   Phil. 


3nus,  chiefly  dis- 

abscnce  of  the 

liave   been  first 

fterwards  by  Mr. 

pccirs,   by  an  cx- 

the  wild  and  re- 

»re3  of  the  Atha- 

ned  which  afford- 

intinuation  of  the 

,  nothing  is  yet 
!  arc  shy  and  sol- 
imultuous  moun- 
llps  and  Appen- 
.Iso  seen,  even  by 
and  on  the  banks 
le  vicinity  of  the 
irch  on  branches, 
rewn  with  rocks, 
sntivcly  watching 
pied,  they  plunge 
tttom,  and  never 
ipitate  themselves 
s  of  the  brawling 
1  the  cavities,  be- 

nck,  received  from  PallBf, 
V- 
IS,  (French  translatian. ) 


;*?_-i.'i^^5i5?fi^f^'*."^ 


BLACK  WATEn-OUSEL,  OB  DIPPER. 


359 


hind  the  waterfall  when  it  overshoots  the  impending 
rocks.  Water  is,  in  fact,  their  proper  element,  though 
they  are  neither  fitted  to  swim  nor  to  wade  with  ordinary 
aquatic  birds,  but  they  walk  or  fly  with  ease  beneath  it, 
across  streams  from  bank  to  bank  ;  they  even  walk  in  this 
way  submerged,  among  the  gravel  against  the  force  of  the 
current.  When  the  water  becomes  deep  enough  for 
them  to  plunge,  they  open  and  drop  tlieir  wings,  with  an 
agitated  motion,  and  with  the  head  stretched  out,  as  in 
the  ordinary  .act  of  flying  in  the  air,  descend  to  the  bot- 
tom, and  there,  as  if  on  the  ground,  course  up  and  down 
in  quest  of  food.  Wliile  under  the  water,  to  wliich  their 
peculiar  plumage  is  impermeable,  they  appear  silvered 
over  with  rapidly  escaping  aerial  bubbles,  and  bid  defi- 
ance to  every  enemy  while  defended  in  so  singlar  a  re- 
treat. When  out  of  the  water  they  also  run  with  rapidi- 
ty, and  fly  direct  and  swift  as  an  arrow,  skimming  the 
surface  of  tlieir  favorite  element,  in  the  manner  of  the 
Kingfisher  ;  and  at  the  next  moment,  as  the  case  may  be, 
they  are  perhaps  seen  to  plunge  out  of  sight  without 
alighting,  and,  like  the  Loon,  again  come  into  view  m 
the  eluding  distance.  While  on  the  wing  they  utter  a 
shrill  and  feeble  cry,  occasionally  varied  ;  and  in  the 
very  depths  of  winter  and  early  spring  contribute  to  cheer 
their  wild  and  dreary  haunts  by  their  simple,  clear,  and 
sweetly  warbled  notes. 

They  pair  early,  and  are  said  to  raise  two  broods  in 
the  season.  The  young,  while  yet  unfledged,  escape 
from  threatening  danger  by  dropping  from  their  impend- 
ing nest  into  the  surrounding  water.  This  curious  cra- 
dle, by  the  side  of  some  romantic  mountain  rivulet,  on 
the  ledge  of  a  rock,  steep  mossy  bank,  or  near  some  fallen 
block  from  the  cliff",  is  made  in  the  form  of  a  dome,  the 
frame-work  often  of  moss   {hypna)   and   sweet  wood-roof 


360 


INSECTIVOROUS   BIRDS. 


(Axpcntla  odorata),  neatly  arched  over,  perhaps,  by  a 
withered  fern  leaf,  surmounted  by  a  coating  of  green 
moss,  and  a  few  additional  pieces  of  other  slender  ma- 
terials. The  lining  is  similar,  but  finer  and  smoothly 
arranged.  Sometimes,  under  a  bridge,  the  same  pair 
have  been  known  to  renew  their  labors  in  the  same  place 
for  three  successive  times.  The  young,  from  their  situa- 
tion, are  residily  supplied  with  fish,  their  appropriate  food. 
The  eggs  are  4  to  6,  and  white.  Such  are  the  habits 
of  the  common  Dipper,  which,  in  great  part,  also  prob- 
ably apply  to  the  American  bird. 

The  length  of  Pallas's  Dipper  or  Ousel  is  about  SJ  inches.  The 
whole  bird  is  of  a  dark  grayisli  slate  color  ;  at  the  upper  orl)it  of  the 
eye  there  is  a  slijrht  indication  of  whitisli.  The  general  color  some- 
what deeper  on  the  head,  and  a  shade  lighter  beneath.  The  prima- 
ries incline  somewhat  to  brown.  Tail  even.    Feet^flesh-color. 


THE  WARBLERS.    (Sylvia,  Lath.) 

In  these  the  bill  is  slender,  straight,  awl-shaped,  higuer  than 
it  is  wide  at  the  base,  and  furnished  with  scattered  i)ristles  ;  the  lower 
mandible  straight.  Nostrils  basal,  lateral,  oval,  lialf  closed  by  a 
membrane.  Tongue  lacerated  at  tip.  Tarsus  Vmaer  than  the  mid- 
dle toe ;  inner  toe  free ;  posterior  nail  shorter  tlian  the  toe.  — 
Wings  moderate  or  short ;  spurious  feather  generally  short ;  1st  and 
2d  primaries,  ad  nnd  3d,  or  3d  and  4th  longest;  scapulars  considera- 
bly shorter  than  the  quill  feathers. 

The  female  generally  distinguished  by  a  less  vivid  plumage.  The 
young  usually  resume  the  adult  livery  aRer  the  first  moult.  They 
moult  once,  though  in  some  species  twice  in  the  year. 

Of  this  numerous  genus  there  are  species  spread  over  the  whole 
globe.  Thoy  are  generally  suinll,  sprightly,  and  endowed  with  an 
incessant  activity,  in  accordance  with  the  subtleness  of  their  flying 
insect  prey  ;  they  therefore  approach  both  in  habit  and  character  the 
Flycatchers,  Vireos,  Thrushes,  Saxicolas,  and  Wrens  so  nearly,  that 


,  perhaps,  by  a 
jating  of  green 
ther  slender  ma- 
3r  and   smoothly 

the  same  pair 
I  the  same  place 
from  their  situa- 
ippropriate  food, 
i   are  the   habits 

part,  also  prob- 


ut  8i  inches.  The 
le  upper  orbit  of  the 
general  color  some- 
neath.  The  prima- 
!t  flesli-color. 


Lath.) 

haped,  liigner  than 
1  bristles  ;  the  lower 
il,  half  closed  by  a 
onger  than  theinid- 
sr  tlian  the  toe.  — 
irally  short ;  lat  and 
scapulars  considera- 

•ivid  plumage.  The 
!  first  moult.  They 
year. 

iread  over  the  whole 
id  endowed  with  an 
eness  of  their  flying 
bit  and  character  the 
Vrens  so  nearly,  that 


YELLOW-CROWNED  WARBLER,  OR  MYRTLE-BIRD.     361 

,>;  is  rendered,  at  times,  doubtful  to  which  of  these  several  genera  they 
o;  jht  to  be  referred.     They  principally  inhabit  foresUi  or  thickets 
and  some  affect  watery  situations  or  reed  marshes.  Many  are  remark- 
able  for  the  melody  of  tlieir  song,  and  the  sprightliness  of  the  aivs 
which  in  the  period  of  incubation  they  almost  incessantly  pour  forth 
The  Niglitingale,  so  celebrated  for  his  powerful,  varied,  and  pathetic 
lay,  as  well  as  the  humble,  but  tuneful  Robin  Red-breast,  belong  to 
this  lughly  vocal  genus  ;  and  though  many  species  seek  out  the  arc- 
tic solitudes  in  which  to  waste  their  melody,  or  sooth  alone  their 
mates,  yet  other  species  may  be  numbered  among  the  more  familiar 
tenants  of  our  gardens,  groves,  and  orchards.     Living  almost  exclu- 
Bively  on  the   winged  insects  of  summer,  which  they  dexterously 
catch  m  the  air,  or  pick  from  off  the  leaves,  they  migrate  to  the  south 
in  autumn,  and   pass  the   winter  in  the  warm  or  tropical  regions. 
Some  exist,  more  or  less  generally,  on  berries  in  the  latter  end  of 
the  year,  and  consequently  find  means  thus  to  winter  in  the  milder 
climates  which  are  exempt  from  severe  extremes.     Among  many  of 
the  species,  the  more  active  and  vigorous  male,  intent  on  the  object 
of  his  migration,  precedes  the  arrival  of  the  female. 


Subgenus.  — Sylvia,  (or  True  Warblers.) 
WiUithe  upper  mand  u..  slightly  curved,  and  notched  near  the  tip. 


YELLOW-CKOWNED    WARBLER, 

BIRD. 


OR  MYRTLE- 


iSylvia  eoronata,  Latham.  Wilson,  ii.  p.  1S8.  ,!.  .  '.  tig  4  ^--um. 
mer  plumage]  and  5.  p.  121.  pi.  43.  %.  3.  [youag",  i  .'ijad.  Muse" 
urn,  No.  7134.) 

Sp.  Charact.  — Blackish  slate-color,  streaked  with  black;  beneath 
white  ;  breast  spotted  with  black ;  crown,  sides  of  the  breast,  and 
rump  yellow ;  wings  bifasciate  with  white,  and  with  the  tail 
black ;  three  lateral  tail-featliers  spotted  with  wliite.  —  mjUer 
plumage  edged  with  brownish-olive,  the  yellow  of  the  crown 
partly  concealed  by  a  margin  of  the  same  olivaceous  color;  no 
black  on  the  head  or  face.  -  Young  more  brown,  with  the  yel- 
low  much  paler,  and  nearly  without  black 

di 


362 


INSECTIVOROUS  BinDB. 


Il^ 


The  history  of  this  rather   common  Warbler  remains 
very  imperfect.     In  the  Middle  and   Northern  States,   it 
is  a  bird  of  passage,  arriving   from  the  South  about  the 
close  of  April  or  beginning  of  May,  and  proceeding,  as  is 
supposed,  north  to  pass  the  summer  season  in  the  cares  of 
breeding  and  rearing  their  young.      As  early  as  the  30th 
of  Aujriist,  or  after    an  absence  of  little  more  than  three 
months,  they  again  appear ;   and  being  a  hardy  species, 
passing  parties  continue  with   us  in   gardens  and    woods 
till  about  the  close  of  November,  feeding  now  almost  ex- 
clusively on  the  myrtle-wax  berries  (3Ljrir.a  cerifcra),  or 
on   those  of  the   Virginian  juniper.     These,  other  late 
and  persisting  berries,  and   occasional  insects,  constitute 
their  winter  food  in  the  Southern  States,  where,  in  con- 
siderable  numbers,  in  the  swamps  and  sheltered  groves 
of  the   sea-coast,   they  pass  the  cold  season.      In   fine 
weather,  in  the  early  part  of  October,  they  may  be  seen, 
at  times,  collecting   grasshoppers   and  moths    from   the 
meadows  and  pastures,  and  like  the  Blue-bird,  they  often 
watch  for  the  appearance  of  their  prey  from  a  neighbour- 
ing stake,  lo>"  bough,  or  fence  rail  ;  and  at  this  time  are 
so  familiar  and  unsuspicious,  particularly  the  young,  as 
fearlessly  to  approach   almost  within  the  reach  of  the  si- 
lent spectator.     At  the  period  of  migration,  they  appear 
in  an  altered  and  less  brilliant  dress ;  the  bright   yellow 
spot  on  the   crown  is  now  edged  with  brownish-olive,  so 
that  the  prevailing   color  of  this  beautiful  mark  is  only 
ser  .  on  shedding  the  feathers  with  the  hand  ;  a  brownish 
tint  is  also  added  to  the   whole  plumage ;    but  Wilson's 
figure  of  this  supposed  autumnal  change  only  represents 
the  young  bird.  The  old  is,  in  fact,  but  little  less  brilliant 
than   in  summer,  and  I  have  a  well-founded  suspicion, 
that  the   wearing  of  the  edges  of  the  feathers,  or  some 
other  secondary  cause,  alone  produces  this  change  in  the 


Varbler  remains 
them  Slates,   it 
South  about  the 
)roceeding,  as  ia 
n  in  the  cares  of 
iarly  as  tiie  30th 
more  tlian  three 
a  hardy  species, 
Jens  and    woods 
[  now  almost  ex- 
Hca  cerifera),  or 
hesc,  other  late 
isects,  constitute 
,  where,  in  con- 
sheltered  groves 
ieason.      In   fine 
ley  may  be  seen, 
moths    from   the 
e-bird,  they  often 
i-om  a  neighbour- 
d  at  this  time  are 
rly  the  young,  as 
3  reach  of  the  si- 
ition,  they  appear 
the  bright   yellow 
brownish-olive,  so 
tiful  mark  is  only 
hand  ;  a  brownish 
re ;    but   Wilson's 
re  only  represents 
little  less  brilliant 
ounded    suspicion, 
feathers,  or  some 
this  change  in  the 


YELLOW-CROWNED  WARBLER,  OR  MYRTLE-BIRD.      363 

livery  of  spring,  particuk    ;   as   it  is  not  any  sexual  dis 
tinction. 

While  feeding  they  are  very  active,    in  the   manner  of 
Flycatchers,    hovering    among  the   cedars    and   myrtles 
with  hanging  wings,   and    only  rest  when  satisfied  with 
gleaning   food.       In    spring    they    are    still  more  timid, 
busy,  and  restless.     Of  their  nest  we  are  wholly  ignorant. 
When    approached,  or   while  feeding,  they  only   utter  a 
feeble,   plaintive  tsfiip  of  alarm.     This  beoutiful  species 
arrives  here  about  the  7th  or  8th  of  May,  and  now  chiefly 
frequents  the  orchards,  uttering,  at  short  intervals,  in  the 
morning,  a  sweet  and  varied,  rather  plaintive  warble,  re- 
sembling, in  part,  the  song  of  the  Summer   Yellow-bird, 
but  much  more  the  farewell,  solitary,   autumnal  notes  of 
the  Robin  Red-breast  of  Europe.     The  tones,  at  times, 
are  also  so  vcntriloqual  and  variable   in  elevation,  that  it 
is  not  always  easy  to  ascertain  the  spot  from  whence  they 
proceed.      While   thus  engaged  in  quest  of  small  cater- 
pillars, it  seems  almost  insensible   to    obtrusion,  and   fa- 
miliarly  searches  for  its  prey,  however  near  we  may  ap- 
proach. 

The  Myrtle-bird  is  from  5  to  (i  inches  long,  and  8  to  9  inches  in 
alar  extent.  Tliis  difference  in  the  size  of  individuals  is  very  con- 
siderable. Above,  a  fine  slate-color.  the  featliers  centered  with 
black  ;  crown,  nides  of  tlie  breast,  and  rump,  rich  len.on-yellow ;  the 
w.ngs  and  tail  black,  the  former  crossed  with  2  bands  of  white,  the  3 
exterior  feathers  of  the  latter  spotted  with  white;  cheeks  and  front 
black  ;  chm,  line  over  and  under  the  eye,  white.  Breast  cinereous, 
with  black  spots  extending  also  und.r  the  wings;  belly  and  vent 
white,  the  latter  spotted  with  black.  Bill  and  legs  black.  The  fe- 
male  with  fainter  colors,  and  witli  a  brownish  tinge.  —  The  princi- 
pal  distinction  between  the  spring  and  autumnal  plumage,  besides 
the  clearness  of  the  yellow  crown,  is  the  blackness  of  the  cheeks 
The  plumage  of  the  spring  birds  is  very  obviously  worn,  so  that  the 
brown  edges  of  the  feathers  have  nearly  disappeared  ;  even  the  ends 
of  the  quills  are  completely  rounded.     This  effect  might  naturally  be 


« 


364 


iNSKCTtvoRors  BinnR. 


expecte'I,  from  the  continual  brushing  <>(  their  ff  (her         >"?  th« 
junipers  mid  myrtles,  in  quest  of  the  berries  on  which  the>      eU. 


YELLOW  RED-POLL  WARBLER. 

(Syhia petechia,  Lath.  Wilson,  iv.  p.  l!l.  |.I.  28.  fig  4.  S.  ,,al«u>rum, 
BoNAF.  (notof  I.  inAM;,Am.  Orn.  2.  pi.  10.  fig. 'J  '  '' "  ''<'l- 
P)  :ltt(l.  A(uaeum,  iNu.  7l'.i4.) 
Sp.CiiAnACT.— Yellow-olive,  streaked  with  dusky;  bei..  .  i  and 
line  over  the  eye  yelliiw  ;  crown  iin'l  spots  of  the  bn'.ifl  bright 
bay;  wings  and  tail  blackish,  edged  with  olive.-- f'mo/c,  desti- 
tute of  the  rufous  crown. 

This  species,  iu  small  numbers,  arrives  in  the  Mid.ilc 
and  Northern   States    in  the  month  of  April;    soni-    iIm. 
probably   proceed  as    far  as  Labrador.     While  here,  like 
many  othe     transient  passengers  of  the  family,   they  ap- 
pear extro'  lely  busy  in  quest  of  their  restless  insect  prov- 
They  frcq;  ent  low,  swampy  thickets,  are  rare,  and  their 
few  feeble  lotes  are  said  scarcely  to  deserve  the  name  of 
a  song.      These  straggler;  remain  all   summer  in   Penn- 
sylvania, but  the  nest  i.s  unknown.     They  depart  in  Sep- 
tember, or  early  in  October,  and  some  probably  winter  in 
the  southernmost  States,  as  they  were  met  with,  in  Febru- 
ary, by  Wilson,  near   Savannah.     This  is  a  different  spe- 
cies  from   the  Palm  Warbler,   which  probably  does  not 
exist  in  the  United  States. 

This  bird  appears  yet  to  be  very  little  known.  Pen- 
nant has  most  strangely  blended  up  its  description  with 
that  of  the  Ruby-crowned  Wren  !  his  supposed  female 
being  precisely  that  bird. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  about  .'.4  inches,  and  the  alar  extent  8 
to9.  The  breast  streaked  with  bay  ;  crown  of  the  head,  from  the  base 
of  the  bill,  the  same  color.  Rump  yellow  ;  tail  cov.rts  greenish  yel- 
low; the  wings  dark  blackish  brown,  edged  with  yellow  olive  ;  cov- 


..-^Jtk- 


f.  th#r!i        'ng  th« 
liich  they    -ed. 


BLER. 

ig  4.  S.  palmnrum, 
fig.  U.  r  I'lo"  'Mole]. 

iisky ;  beneiiia  and 
if  tlie  hti-iwi  bright 
;e.  —  Female,  desti- 


es  in  the  Mi(Ulle 
Ipril ;    sonn    d^o 
Wliile  here,  like 
family,   llu-y  ap- 
tless  insect  prev 
e  rare,  and  then 
erve  tiir  name  of 
ummer  in   Penn- 
py  depart  in  Sep- 
nibably  winter  in 
jt  with,  in  Febru- 
is  a  different  spe- 
irohably  does  not 

le  known.  Pen- 
description  with 
supposed   female 

and  the  alar  extent  8 
e  head,  from  the  base 
covpi-ts  greenish yel- 
th  yellovsr  olive  ;  cov- 


SIMMIR    VEI.l.ou  ,.n  OR  WARBLER. 


»( 


.rt.«nd  t.rtml»  ...^     .  «,ith  pal-  „„.,       „>  th.  Hpring  when  the  feath- 

^lateral  r,.n,!.,.rH   w.th  a  hrge  .p„t  of  p,.re  white   near  to  thtir  tip. 
L.'^"  a„.l  bill  „  ,Ay  br,.     ,  tl..,  latter  shorter  and   „„.„.  blender  Zn 

/..T""""       "'"  '■'"'""^  "•"''  "'*  ''"^  "'■  "'«  ""vvn  iH  ed..d 
and  the  breast  sjioited  with  ..live.  ' 


SUMMER  YELLOW-BIRD  or  WARBLER. 

(Syhia  rBstiva,  Lath.  Audubon,  pi.  !)5.  Om.  Biog  i  „  470 
S.  d/W/«  W.,.so,v,  ii.  p.  11,.  pi.  ,,r,.  fig.  5.  f,„^,^     ^^^  ■ 

enl.  58.  No.  1.  [fl-male.]    Phil.  Museum,  No.  72C(i.) 

Sp.CHARAcT.-Greenish-y.llnw;  crown  and  beneath  bright  yel- 
low;  breast  and  sides  streaked  with  rufoun  orange;  lateral  tail- 
feathers  interiorly  yellow.  _  fema/e  with  the  breast  unspotted 
-  Ymng  greenish,  inclining  to  oLve  above ;  and  with  the  throat 
nearly  white. 

This  very  common  and  brilliant  summer  species  is 
found  in  all  parts  of  the  American  conMnent  from  the 
confines  of  the  arctic  circle  to  Flori.  ^vhere  it  spends 
the  mild  season.  About  the  middle  of  March,  I  already 
heard  their  song  amidst  the  early  blooming  thickets  and 
31» 


300 


INSECTIVOHOUH  ihrhk. 


it  ■■' 


leafy  woods  of  the  Allamnlin  ;  hut  tliny  <lo  not  nrrivc  iti 
Pcimwylvniiia  niul  tliist  part  of  Now  Kn>?lan<l  hvi'utv.  tlie 
Ist  of  May.  About  tlio  closo  of  Anjjust  in  the  Norllieru, 
anil  by  tho  middle  of  September  in  the  cchtral  stales  of 
the  Union,  or  as  soon  as  tluir  second  brood  are  capable 
of  joininj,Mho  miifriitin^  In-  I,  they  disappear,  proi)ably  in 
the  iwilijrjtt,  ami  wing  their  way  by  easy  stajtes  to  their 
tropical  destination,  passing  through  l-ouisiana  in  Octo- 
ber, and  appearing,  at  length,  about  Vera  Cruz,  from 
whence  they  spread  their  numerous  host  through  tropical 
America  to  Guiana,  Cayenne,  St.  Domingo,  and  other  of 
the  larger  contiguous  islands  of  the  West  Indies. 

This  is  a  very  lively,  unsuspicious,  and  almost  familiar 
little   bird,   and    its  bright  golden  color  renders  it   very 
conspicuous,  as  in  pursmil  of  flitting  insects,  it  pries  and 
darts   among  the   blooming   shrubs  and  orchards.     It  is 
particularly   attached  to  willow  trees  and  other  kinds  in 
moist   and    shady  situations,   that  afford   this   and  other 
species  a  variety  of  small  larvtc  and  caterpillars,  on  which 
they  delight  to  feed.      While  incessantly  and   busily  em- 
ployed, it  occasionally  mounts  the  twig,  and  with  a  loud, 
shrill,   and  almost  piercing  voice,  it  earnestly  utters,  at 
short  and  irregular  intervals,      7.'  'tsh'  'tsh'  'Ish'  'tshaia, 
or  tihr  tshf  ish  tshayta  (she  tihr,   this  last  phrase,  rather 
plaintive  and   interrogatory,  as  if  expecting  the  recogni- 
tion of  its  mate.     Sometimes,  but  particularly  after   the 
commencement   of  incubation,    a    more    extended    and 
pleasingly  modulated  song  is  heard,  as  .se  te  te  tshitshoo, 
or  tsh'  tsh'  tsh'  tsheeUhoo,  'tshe  'tshe  '/>Ac  'tskoo  'pcetskre, 
and  'tshr.   'tshe  'tshe  'tshe  'tshaia  'tship  6  way,  the  termi- 
nation tender,  plaintive,  and  solicitous.     I  have  heard  this 
note  also  sometimes  varied  to  'soil  'soil  'soil  'soil  'tship  a 
wee.     The  female  sometimes  sings   nearly  as  well  as  the 
male,  particularly  about  the  time  she  is  engaged  in  fabri- 


mm 


0  not  arrive  in 
inil    lK"l(-r«!  the 

tho  Nurtliern, 
clitral  dtntos  ot 
1(1  nro  cnpiible 
iir,  ]>rol)iil)ly  in 
stttj,'n»  to  their 
isinna  in  Octo- 
■ra  Cm/.,  from 
hrougli  tropical 
50,  and  other  of 
Indies. 

ulitioHt  familiar 
renders  it  very 
ts,  it  pries  and 
jrciiards.     It  is 

1  otlier  iiinds  in 
this  and  other 
iiiars,  on  wiiich 
and  hnsily  ern- 
nd  with  a  loud, 
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Sciences 
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L 


SUMMER  YELLOW-Binn  OR  WARDLER. 


367 


eating  Jier  nest.  Although  tlieir  song  may  be  lieard, 
less  vigorously,  to  the  montli  of  August,  yet  they  do  not 
here  appear  to  raise  more  than  a  single  brood. 

Tlic  nest,  in  Massachusetts,  is  commonly  fixed   in  the 
forks  of  a  barberry  bush,  close   shrub,  or   sapling,  a  few 
feet  from   the  ground ;    at  other  times,  I  have  known  the 
nest  placed   upon  the  horizontal  branch  of  a  horn-beam, 
more  than  1  ">   feet  from  the  ground,  or  even  50  feet  high 
in   the   forks    of  a  thick   sugar-maple   or   orchard   tree. 
These  lofty  situations  are,  however,   extraordinary  ;   and 
the  little  architects,  in  instances  of  this  kind,  sometimes 
fail  of  giving  the  usual  security  to  their  habitation.     The 
nest  is  extremely  neat  and  durable  ;  the  exterior  is  form- 
ed of  layers  of  Asrhpias  or  silk-weed  lint,   glutinously 
though   slightly  attached   to  the  supporting  twigs,  mix- 
ed with  some  slender  strips  of  fine  bark  and  pine  leaves, 
and    thickly  bedded   with  the  down  of  willows,  the  nan- 
keen-wool of  the  Virginian  cot'on-grass,*  the  down   of 
fern  stalks,  the  hair  from  the  downy  seeds  of  the  button- 
wood  {Platanus),  or  the  pappus  of  compound  flow|^  ;  and 
then  lined  either  with  fine-bent  grass  {Agrostis),  or  down, 
and  horse-hair,  and   rarely  with    a  few  accidental  feath^ 
ers.     Circumstances  sometimes  require   a  variation  from 
the  usual  habits  of  the  species.    In  a  garden  in  Roxbury, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  J  saw  a  nest  built  in  a  currant- 
bush,  in  a  small  garden  very  near  to  the  house  ;  and,  as 
the  branch  did  not  present  the   proper  site  of  security,  a 
large  floor  of  dry  grass  and  weeds  was  first  made  betwixt 
it  and   a  contiguous  board  fence  ;    in  the   midst  of  this 
mass  of  extraneous  materials,  the  small  nest  was  excava- 
ted, then  lined  with  a  considerable  quantity  of  white  horse- 
hair, and  finished  with  an  interior   bed  of  soft  cow-hair. 
The  season  proving  wet  and  stormy,   the  nest  in   this 

*E,r'iophorum  virgin^m. 


A* 


3gQ  INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 

novel  situation  fell  over,  but  was  carried  with  the    young 
to  a  safe  situation  near  the  piazza  of  the  house,  where  the 
parents   now  fed   and  reared  their  brood.     In   an  apple- 
tree,  in  another  garden,   a  nest  of  this  bird   was  made 
chiefly,  to  the  lining,  of  loose  white  cotton  strings,  which 
had  been  used  for   training   up   some   raspberry   bushes 
and   looked   as   white  and   conspicuous  as  a   snow-ball. 
Sometimes  they  condescend  to  the  familiarity  of  picking 
up  the  sweepings  of  the  seamstress  ;    such   as  thread 
yarn,   sewing-silk,  fine  shreds  of  cotton  stockings,  and 
bits  of  lace  and  calico ;    and  it  is  not  uncommon  to  ob- 
serve  hasty   disputes  between  our  little   architects   and 
the  Baltimore  birds,  as  they  sometimes  seize  and  tug  up- 
on the  loose  or  flowing  ends  and  strings  of  the  unfinished 
nest,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  the  legitimate  operators. 
The  labor   of  forming  tlfe-H^st  seems  often  wholly  to  de- 
volve  on  the  female.  On  the  10th  of  May,  I  observed  one 
of  these  industrious    matrons   busily  engaged   with  her 
'    fabric  in  a  low  barberry  bush,  and  by  the  evening  of  the 
secon(#lay,  the    whole   was   completed   to   the   lining, 
which  was  made,  at  length,  of  hair  and  willow  down,  of 
which  she  collected  and  carried  mouthfuls  so  large  that 
she  often  appeared  almost  like  a  mass  of  flying  cotton  and 
far  exceeded  in  industry  her  active  neighbour,  vhe  Balti- 
more,  who  was  also  engaged  in  collecting  the  same   ma- 
terials      Notwithstanding  this  industry,  the  completion 
of  the  nest,  with  this  and  other  small  birds,  is  sometimes 
strangely  protracted  or  not  immediately  required.     Yet, 
occasionally,   I  have  found  the  eggs  of  this  spec.es  ,m- 
providently  laid  on  the  ground.  They  are  usually  about  4 
or  5  of  a  dull  white,  thickly  sprinkled  near  the  great 
end  with  various  sized  specks  of  palo  brown.   It  is  amus- 
ing to  observe  the  sagacity  of  this  little  bird  in  disposing 
of  the  eggs  of  the  vag.ant  and  parasitic  Cow  Troop.al. 


^-, 


SUMMER    YELLOW-BIRD  OR  WARnLER. 


3G9 


vith  the  young 
)use,  where  the 
In  an  apple- 
iird  was  made 
1  strings,  which 
spberry  bushes, 
as  a  snow-ball, 
irity  of  picking 
mch   as  thread, 

stockings,  and 
icommon  to  ob- 

architects   and 
eize  and  tug  up- 
}f  the  unfinished 
timate  operators. 
:en  wholly  to  de- 
^,  I  observed  one 
igaged   with  her 
le  evening  of  the 
1   to   the    lining, 
.  willow  down,  of 
uls  so  large  that 
flying  cotton,  and 
rhbour,  vie  Balti- 
ig  the  gnme  ma- 
f,  the  completion 
irds,  is  sometimes 
y  required.     Yet, 
r  this  species  im- 
re  usually  about  4 
d  near  the   great 
rown.   It  is  amus- 
I  bird  in  disposing 
;ic  Cow  Troopial. 


The  egg,  deposited  before  the  laying  of  the  rightful  ten- 
ant, too  large  for  ejectment,  is  ingeniously  incarcerated 
in  the  bottom  of  the  nest,  and  a  new  lining  placed  above 
it,  so  that  it  is  never  hatched  to  prove  the  dragon  of  the 
brood.  Two  instances  of  this  kind  occurred  to  the  obser- 
vation of  my  friend,  Mr.  Charles  Pickering  ;  and  last  sum- 
mer I  obtained  a  nest  wjth  the  adventitious  egg  about 
two  thirds  buried,  the  upper  edge  only  being  visible,  so 
that  in  many  instances,  it  is  probable,  that  this  species 
escapes  from  the  unpleasant  imposition  of  becoming  a 
nurse  to  tlie  sable  orphan  of  the  Cow-bird.  She,  howev- 
er, acts  faithfully  the  part  of  a  foster-parent  when  the 
egg  is  laid  after  her  own. 

The  Summer  Yellow  Bird,  to  attract  attention  from  its 
nest,  when  sitting,  or  when  the  nest  contains  young,  some- 
times feigns  lameness,  hanging  its  tail  and  head,  and  flut- 
tering feebly  along,  in  the  path  of  the  spectator  ;  at  oth*^!- 
times,  when  certain  that  the  intrusion  had  proved  harm- 
less, the  bird  would  only  go  off"  a  few  feet,  utter  feeble 
complaint,  or  remain  wholly  silent,  and  almost  inmantly 
resume  her  seat.  The  male,  as  in  many  other  species  of 
the  genus  precedes  a  little  the  arrival  of  his  mate.  To- 
wards the  latter  end  of  summer  the  young  and  old  feed 
much  on  juicy  fruits,  as  mulberries,  cornel  berries,  and 
other  kinds. 

This  species  is  about  5  inches  long,  and  7  in  alar  stretch.  Above, 
greenisii  yellow.  Crown,  front,  and  below,  golden  yellow;  breast 
and  sides  spotted  with  rufous  orange.  Wings  and  tail  deep  brown, 
edged  witii  yellow.  Tail  emarginated.  Bill  and  eye-lids  light 
greyisii-blue.  l.egs  pale.  —  Female  generally  without  streaks  on  the 
breast.    The  young,  at  first,  olive,  with  but  little  yellow  below. 


'■     *5* 


r. 


m 


»ii 


870 


INSECTIVOROUS   BIRDS. 


CHILDREN'S  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  childreni,  Audubon,  pi.  35.    Orn.  Biog.  vol.  i,  p.  180.) 
Sp.  Charact.  — Olive  green,  beneath   and   front  golden   yellow; 
wing8  and  tail  dusky  ;  tail  with  the  inner  vanes  of  the  lateral 
featliers  whitish  yellow.  —  Female,  beneath,  yellowish  white. 

This  new  species  appears  to  be  nearly  allied  to  <S.  as- 
tiva  ;  but  the  male  seems  to  be  destitute  of  spots  on  the 
breast.  The  author  discovered  this  species  near  the 
town  of  Jackson,  in  Louisiana.  The  nest  was  attached 
by  the  sides  to  two  twigs  of  the  herbaceous  fcctid  Cassia,* 
and  was  formed  of  the  dry  bark  of  the  same  plant,  mi.\ed 
with  silky  substances.  The  lining  consisted  of  goat's  or 
deer's  hair. 

A  little  larger  than  the  preceding  species.  Wings  edged  with  yel- 
lowish. Tail,  e.xcept  the  two  central  feathers,  whitish  yellow  on 
the  inner  webs.  Legs  yellowish  flesh-color.  Bill  dusky,  lower 
mandible  yellowish  white.     Iris  hazel.     Tail  wedge-shaped. 


BLACK  AND  YELLOW  or  SPOTTED  WARBLER. 

{Sylvia  maculosa,  Lath.  Synops.  ii.  p.  481.  No.  104.  S.  magnolia, 
Wilson,  iii,  p.  C3.  pi.  23.  fig.  2.  [male.]  Phil.  MuseLm, 
No.  7783.) 

Sp.  Charact.  — Crown  ash;  rump  and  beneath  bright  yellow; 
breast  spotted  with  black ;  wings  with  2  white  tiars ;  tail  black ; 

the  lateral  feathers  white  on  the  middle  of  their  inner  vanes. 

Female  with  the  breast  whitish  and  the  colors  duller. 

This  rare  and  beautiful  species  is  occasionally  seen 
in  very  small  numbers,  in  the  Southern,  Middle,  and 
Northern  States,  in   the  spring  season,  on  its   way  to  its 


*  Ciusi'i.  OceidetUalu, 


R, 

>g.  vol.  i.  p.  180.) 
ont  golden   yellow ; 
vanes  of  the  lateral 
yellowish  white. 

y  allied  to  S.  as- 
E  of  spots  on  the 
species  near  the 
est  was  attached 
us  fcDtid  Cassia,* 
ime  plant,  mixed 
isted  of  goat's  or 

ngs  edged  with  yel- 
whitish  yellow  on 
Bill  dusky,  lower 
Ige-shaped. 


D  WARBLER. 

104.  S.  magnolia, 
]      Phil.    Museum, 

ath  bright  yellow; 
te  liiirs;  tail  black; 
leir  inner  vanes.  — 
duller. 

ccasionally  seen 
rn,  Middle,  and 
)n  its  way  to  its 


CAPE  MAY  WAUBLER. 


871 


northern  breeding-places.    In  Massachusetts,  I  have  seen 
it   in  this  vicinity  about  tho  middle   of  May.     Its  return 
to  the  South  is  probably  made  through  the  western  inte- 
rior,  a  route  so  generally  travelled  by  most  of  our  birds  of 
passage  at  this  season,  in  consequence  of  which  thoy  are 
not  met  with,  or  but  very  rarely,  in  the  Atimtic  States  in 
the  autumn.      In  this  season  they  have  been  seen  at  sea 
off  the  island  of  Jamaica,  and  have  been  met  with  also  in 
Higpaniola,  whither  they  retire  to  pass  the  winter.     Like 
all  the  rest  of  the  genus,  stimulated   by  the  unquiet  pro- 
pensity to  migrate,  they   pass  only   a  few  days  with    us, 
and  appear  perpetually  employed  in  pursuing  or  searching 
out  thoir  active  insect  prey  or  larvae  ;   and,  while  thus  en- 
gaged, utter  only  a  few  chirping  notes.    According  to  Mr. 
Hutchins,  around  Hudson's  Bay,  it  builds  in  the  willows 
a  nest  composed  of  grass  and  feathers,   lays  4  eggs,  and 
hatches  its  young   in  July.      It   has  a  shrill  song,   more 
than  usually  protracted  on  the  approach  of  wet  weather, 
so  that   the   fiidians   bestov/   upon   it  the  name  of  Rain 
Bird. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  about  5  inches;  alar  extent  TJ.  Front 
lores,  and  behind  the  ear  black,  a  white  line  over  the  eye,  and  a' 
small  touch  of  the  same  immediately  under.  The  back  nearly  all 
black  ;  rump  yellow ;  tail  coverts  deep  black.  Below  rich  yellow 
spotted  from  the  throat  downwards  with  black  ;  vent  white  ;  tail 
emarginate.  Wings  black,  crossed  with  2  broad  bars  of  white. 
Crown  fine  ash.    Legs  brown.     Bill  black. 


CAPE  MAY  WARBLER. 

{SijMa  maritima,  Wilson,  vi.  p.  99.  pi.  TA.  fig.  3.  [male.]  Bohap. 
Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  32.  pi.  3.  fig.  3.  [female  .']) 

Sp.  Cuaract.  —  Yellow-olive  spotted  with  black ;  crown  and  line 
through  the  eyes  black ;  cheeks  and  beneath  yellow  ;  the  breast 
spotted  with  black;  a  broad  white  band  on  each  wing  ,  3  lateral 
tail-feathers  with  a  spot  of  white. - Fema/e  dull  olive;  beneath 
whitish,  spotted  with  dusky, 


ST9 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIROS. 


This  very  raro  Warbler  has  only  been  seen  near  the 
swamps  of  Cape  May,  in  New  Jersey,  and  near  Philadel- 
phia, about  the  middle  of  May,  probably  as  a  straggler 
on  its  way  to  some  northern  breeding-place.  Its  notes 
and  further  history  are  yet  unknown. 

The  length  of  this  bird  is  oj  inches ;  the  alar  extent  8J.  Line 
from  the  nostril  over  the  eye,  chin,  and  sides  of  the  neck,  rich  yel- 
low ;  the  feathers  round  the  ear  orange.  Wings  dusky,  edged  with 
dark  olive  yellow.  Below  bright  yellow  ;  breast  and  sides  under 
the  wings,  spotted  with  black;  belly  and  vent  yellowish  white.  Toil 
dusky  black  and  forked,  edged  with  yellow  olive.  The  yellow  on 
the  throat  and  sides  reaches  nearly  round  it. 


CANADA  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  pardalinn,  Bonap.   Muscicapa  canadensis,  J..   Wilsok,  iii. 

p.  100.  pi.  2t).  fig.  2.  [male.]     Phil.  Museum,  No.  G9C9.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  Cinereous-brown;  crown  ash,  spotted  with  black; 

beneath  and  line  over  the  eyes  yellow  ;  breast  with  a  crescent  of 

black  spots ;  tail  immaculate. 

This  is  a  very  rare  summer  species  in  the  Atlantic 
States,  appearing  singly,  and  for  a  few  days  only,  on 
their  passage  north  or  south  in  the  spring  and  autumn. 
They  probably  breed  in  Canada  or  Labrador,  and  are 
more  abundant  in  the  mountainous  interior,  the  route  by 
which  they  principally  migrate.  They  winter  probably 
in  the  tropical  regions ;  are  then  silent,  and,  like  the 
rest  of  their  tribe,  very  active  in  darting  through  the 
branches  after  insects. 

This  species  is  only  4i  inches  long,  and  8  in  alar  extent.  Front 
black  ;  line  from  the  nostril  to  and  around  the  eye  yellow  ;  below  the 
eye  a  stripe  of  black,  descending  along  the  sides  of  the  throat,  which 
with  the  breast  and  belly  is  bright  yellow.     A  broad  rounding  band 


y^ 


n  seen  near  the 
nd  near  Pliilatlel- 
ily  as  a  straggler 
ilace.      Its  notoa 


HOODED  on  MITRRD   WARBLEB.  373 

of  black  on  the  brewt  composed  of  black  Bpot*;  vent  white. 
Bill,  the  upper  mandible  dusky,  the  lower  flesh-color;  legs  and  feet 
the  name.    Eye  hazel. 


ir  extent  8^.  Line 
the  neck,  rich  yel- 
[8  dusky,  edj^ed  with 
laat  and  sideH  under 
ellowish  white.  Tail 
,ve.    The  yellow  on 


I. 

sis,  L.  WiLsow,  iii, 
iin,  No.  &)(i9.) 

spotted  with  black ; 
tst  with  a  crescent  of 

i  in  the  Atlantic 
w  days  only,  on 
ring  and  autumn, 
abrador,  and  are 
rior,  the  route  by 
'  winter  probably 
It,  and,  like  the 
ting  through  the 

alar  extent.  Front 
ire  yellow  ;  below  the 
I  of  the  throat,  which 
broad  rounding  band 


HOODED  on  MITRED  WARBLER. 

{Sylvia  mitrata,  Latham.   Muscknpa  cueullata,  W11.80N,  iii.  p.   lOl. 

pi.  21).  fig.  3.  [male.j     Phil.  Museum,  No.  70(i2. ) 
Sp.CiiAnACT.-Yellow-olive;  head,  neck,  and  throat  black;  fore- 

head,  cheeks,  and   bo.ly  beneath,  yellow  j  3  lateral   tail-feathers 

white  on  one  half  of  their  inner  webs. 

This  beautiful  and  singularly  marked  summer  species 
common  in  the  South,  is  rarely  seen   to  the  north  of  the' 
state  of  Maryland.     It  retires  to  Mexico  or  the  West  In- 
dies  probably  to    pass    the    winter.      At    Savannah,    in 
Georgia,   it  arrives   from  the  south  about   the   20th    of 
March,  according  to   Wilson.     It   is  partial    to  low   and 
shady  situations   darkened  with   underwood,  is   frequent 
among  the  canc-brakcs  of  Tennessee  and  Missi.ssippi,  and 
is  exceedingly  active,  and  almost  perpetually  engaged  in 
the  pursuit  of  winged  insects.    While  thus  employed,  it 
now  and  then  utters  three  loud,  and  not  unmusical,  very 
lively  notes,  resembling   the   words,   twre  twee   'twittshe. 
In    its  simple  song  and  general  habits  it  therefore  much 
resembles  the   Summer  Yellow  Bird.     Its  neat  and  com- 
pact nest  is  generally  fixed  in   the  fork  of  a  small  bush, 
formed  outwardly  of  moss  and  flax,  lined  with  hair,  and 
sometimes  feathers;  the  eggs,  about  5,  aregreyish-Jhite, 
with  reddish  spots  towards  the  great  end. 

This  species  is  about  .5J  inches  long,  and  8  in  alar  e.xtent.  The 
forehead,  cheeks,  and  chin  yellow,  surrounded  with  a  hood  of 
black  that  covers  the  crown,  hind-head,  and  part  of  the  neck,  and 
descends  rounding  over  the  breast ;  all  the  rest  of  the  lower  parts 
yellow.  Above,  yellow-olive.  Bill  black.  Legs  flesh-colored. 
32 


III' 


374 


INBECTIVOROITS  BinnS, 


Tail  emarginntr,  exteriorly  edged  with  olive-yellow.  —  In  tht>femal», 
the  throat  and  breaatare  yellow,  only  ilightly  tinged  with  hlackiih; 
the  black  doeH  not  reach  no  far  down  the  upper  part  of  the  neck,  and 
ii  less  deep.  The  young  !  have  little  or  no  black  on  the  head  or  neck 
above. 


YELLOW-THROATED  GREY  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  pensilit,  Lath.    Audubon,  pi.  8.5.      Orn.   Biog.   i.  p.  434. 
S.  fiavicollis,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  64.  pi.  12.  fig.  0.) 

Sp.  Ciiaract.  —  Blui»h-grey  ;  frontlet,  ear-feather»,  lorea,  and  a 
space  above  the  eyes,  black  ;  throat  and  brenst  yellow  ;  belly  and 
line  over  the  eye  white ;  side')  spotted  with  black  ;  winga  and 
tail  black,  varied  with  white.  —  Female  duller  colored  ;  the  young 
without  the  yellow  and  black  marks. 

This  elogant  and  remarkable  species  resides  in  the 
West  Indies,  and  also  migrates  in  considerable  num- 
bers into  the  southern  parts  of  the  United  States,  partic- 
ularly Louisiana,  from  whence  indeed  they  only  absent 
themselves  in  the  two  inclement  months  of  December 
and  January.  They  are  seen  in  February  in  Georgia, 
but  very  rarely  venture  as  far  north  as  Pennsylvania. 
Their  song  is  pretty  loud  and  agreeable,  according  to 
Wilson,  resembling  somewhat  the  notes  of  the  Indigo 
bird.  In  the  tropical  countries  it  inhabits,  this  delicate 
music  is  continued  nearly  throughout  the  year,  and  par- 
ticipated also  by  the  female,  though  possessed  of  inferior 
vocal  powers.  It  appears  to  have  many  of  the  habits 
of  the  Creeping  Warbler  {S.  varia),  running  spirally 
around  the  trunks  of  the  Pine  trees,  on  which  it  alights, 
and  ascending  or  descending  in  the  active  search  of  its 
insect  fare. 

The  sagacity  displayed  by  this  bird  in  the  construction 
and  situation  of  its  nest  is  very  remarkable.     They  are 


%M^ 


w .  ~  In  th«  femalt , 
g«(l  with  lilackiih ; 
rt  of  the  neck,  and 
111  the  head  or  n«ck 


ARBLER. 

I.  Biog.   i.  p.  434. 

fig.  «.) 

Iierg,   lores,  and   a 
.  yellow  ;  belly  and 

liliick  ;  wingii  and 
colored ;  the  young 

i  resides  in  the 
siderable  num- 
il  States,  partic- 
hcy  only  absent 
s  of  December 
ary  in  Georgia, 
i  Pennsylvania. 
;,  according  to 
of  the  Indigo 
its,  this  delicate 
e  year,  and  par- 
3ssed  of  inferior 
y  of  the  habits 
unning  spirally 
ivhich  it  alights, 
^e  search  of  its 

the  construction 
ible.     They  are 


YEI,L0W-TIin0ATEn  OBEY  WARni.EIl. 


376 


occasionally  found  in  West  Florida,  and  perhaps  may 
also  occur  in  South  Carolina,  wiirre  tl|o  bird  is  known 
likewise  to  reside.  This  curious  fabric  is  suspended  to 
a  kind  of  ropes,  which  hang  from  tree  to  tree,  usually  de- 
pending from  branches  that  bend  over  rivers  or  ravines. 
The  nest  itself  is  made  of  dry  blades  of  grass,  the  ribs  of 
leaves,  and  slender  root-fibres,  the  whole  interwoven  to- 
gether with  great  art ;  it  is  also  fastened  to,  or  rather 
worked  into,  the  pendent  strings  made  of  the  tough  silky 
fibres  of  some  species  of  Erhifrs,  or  other  plant  of  that 
family.  It  is,  in  fact,  a  small  circular  bed,  so  thick  and 
compact  as  to  exclude  the  rain,  left  to  rock  in  the  wind 
without  sustaining,  or  being  accessible  to  any  injury.  Tiie 
more  securely  to  defend  this  precious  habitation  from  tlie 
attacks  of  numerous  eneynies,  the  opening  or  entrance 
is  neither  made  on  the  top  nor  the  side,  but  at  tlie  bot- 
tom ;  nor  is  the  access  direct,  for  after  passing  tlie  vesti- 
bule, it  is  necessary  to  go  over  a  kind  of  partition,  and 
through  another  aperture,  before  it  descends  into  the 
guarded  abode  of  its  eggs  and  young.  This  interior 
lodgment  is  round  and  soft,  being  lined  with  a  kind  of 
lichen,  or  the  silky  down  of  plants.* 

This  species  is  about  .54  inches  in  length,  and  8  in  alar  extent. 
Tail  emarginate,  black,  edged  with  grey  ;  wings  black,  the  first  row 
of  wing-coverts  edged  and  tipped  with  white,  the  second  row  almost 
wholly  white.  Line  between  the  eye  and  nostril,  whole  throat  and 
middle  cfthe  breast, yellow;  the  lower  eye-lid,  line  over  the  eye,  and 
spot  behind  the  ear-feathers,  as  well  as  ihe  whole  lower  parts,  pure 
white;  the  yellow  on  the  throat  bordered  with  '-.uchesof  black, 
which  also  extend  on  the  sides  under  the  wings.  :  ■  !  black.  Legs 
yellowish-brown. 


*  A  very  diBcront  no8t,  rescmljling  that  of  the  Wood  Pewoe,  ii  attributed  to  thii 
•pocics  by  Audubon,  who  also  describes  the  eggs  u  white,  with  a  few  purple  dots  tt 
the  large  eud. 


m 


n 


'I 


m 


BLACK-TIIROATED  fJRKKN  WARBLKR. 

(Sylria  vircna,  Latham,   Wilson,  ii.  p.  137.  pi.  17.  fig.  !).     Green 

\Viirl)ler,  Pf.nnant's  Arct.  Zi)i<\iigy,  vol.  ii.  No.  9*t7.) 

S?.  CiiAHACT.  —  Yeiiowiali-jfreen  ;  front,  clieekH,  sides  of  llio  neck, 
and  line  over  the  eye,  yellow  ;  beneath  whitish  ;  chin  and  throat 
to  the  breast  black  ;  ti  white  bars  on  the  wings,  which,  as  well  an 
the  tail,  are  dusky  ;  the  ',\  lateral  tail-feathers  marked  with  white. 
—  Female  with  the  chin  yellow,  and  the  throat  blackish,  tinged 
with  yellow. 

This  rather  varo  species  arrives  from  its  tropical  win- 
ter-quarters in  Pennsylvania  towards  tlie  close  ol'  April 
or  beginning  of  May.  About  the  12th  of  the  latter  month 
it  is  seen  in  this  part  of  Massachusetts ;  hut  ne.er  more 
than  a  single  pair  arc  seen  together.  At  this  season,  a 
silent  individual  may  be  occasionally  observed,  for  an  hour 
at  a  time,  carefully  and  actively  searching  for  small  cater- 
pillars and  winged  insects,  amidst  the  white  blossoms  of 
the  shady  apple  tree,  and  so  inoifonsive  and  unsuspicious 
is  the  little  warbler,  that  he  pursues,  without  alarm,  hia 
busy  occupation,  as  the  spectator,  within  a  few  feet  of 
him,  watches  at  the  foot  of  the  tree.     While  thus  harm- 


1 
I 

1 

I 

i 

q 

ti 


DLACK-TIIROATED  GREEN  WARDLER. 


377 


ARBLER. 

,  17.  fijf.  II.     Green 

I.  No.  2!  17.) 

,  Bides  of  the  neck, 
h  ;  chin  and  throat 
I,  wliich,  nH  well  na 
imrked  with  white. 
)at  blackish,  tinged 

its  tropical  win- 
!  close  of  April 
the  latter  month 

but  never  more 
Lt  this  season,  a 
■ved,  for  an  hour 

for  small  cater- 
lite  blos.som9  of 
nd  unsuspicious 
tliout  alarm,  hi.s 
n  a  few  feet  of 
hile  thus  harm- 


Ie«Hly  employed,  ho  Hometimos  oncountori.  the  capricious 
mal.ce  of  the  larger  birds,  and  the  cowardly  Clupping 
Sparrow,  although  itself  a  pigmy,  HomotimeM  insultingly 
chases  thi.s  little  stranger  froy,  his  silent  retreat  and 
necessary  employment.  Early  in  October  they  are  .seen 
in  small  number.,  roving  restlessly  through  the  forest 
preparatory  to  their  .leparture  for  the  South.  ' 

Though  the  greater  part  of  the  species  probably  pro- 
coed  farther  north  to  rear  their  young,  a  few  .spend  the 
summer  m  the  Mid.llo  and  Northern  States;  but,  from 
the.r  timorous  and  retiring  habits,  it  is  not  easy  to  trace 

mer  (1830).  however,  on  the  Hth  of  Juno.   I    was  so  for- 
tunate  as  to  find  a  nest  of  this  species  in  a  perfectly  soli- 
tary situation,  on  the  Blue  Hills  of  Milton.     The  female 
was  now  sitting,  and  about  to  hatch.     The  nest  was  in  a 
low,  thick,  and  stunted  Virginia  juniper.     When  I   ap- 
proached near  to  the  nest,   the  female  stood  motionless 
on  Its  edge,  and  peeped   down  in   such   a   manner  that  I 
imagined  her  to  be  a  young  bird;  .she  then  darted  directly 
to  the  earth  and  ran.  but   when,  deceived,  I  sou-rht  her 
on  the  ground,  she  had  very  expertly  disappeared  ;  and  I 
now  found  the   nest  to  contain   4  roundish   eggs,  white 
inclining  to  flesh-color,  variegated,   more   particularly  at 
the  great  end,  with  pale,  purplish  points  of  various  sizes 
interspersed  with   other  large  spots  of  brown  and  black' 
ish.     The   nest  was   formed  of  circularly   entwined  fine 
strips  of  the  inner   bark  of  the  juniper,    and   Uie  tou.rh 
white  fibrous  bark  of  some  other  plant,  then  bedded  wiUi 
soft   feathers  of  the  Robin,  and  lined  with  a  fow  horse- 
hairs,  and  some  slender  tops  of  bent-grass  (Agrostis)   The 
male  was  singing  his  simple  chant,  at  the  distance  of  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  nest,  and   was  now  nearly  in 
the  same  dark  wood  of  tall  oaks  and  white  pines  in  which 
33* 


t 


i  if 


'r,' 


€ 


378 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIUDS. 


I  had   first  heard  him  a  fortnight   before.     This  simple, 
rather  drawling,  and  somewhat  plaintive  song,  uttered  at 
short  intervals,   resembled   the  syllables,   'te  M  ter'itscd, 
sometimes  tc  derisra,  pronounced  pretty  loud   and  slow, 
and  the  tones  proceeded  from  high  to  low.    In  the  inter- 
vals he  was  perpetually   busied  in  catching  small  cynips, 
and  other  kinds  of  flies,  keeping  up  a  smart  snapping  of 
his  bill,  almost  similar  to  the   noise   made  by  knocking 
pebbles  together.     This  quaint  and  indolent  ditty  I  have 
often  heard    before   in  the   dark   and   solitary    woods  of 
West  Pennsylvania  ;    and  here,  as  there,  it   affords   an 
agreeable  relief  in  the  dreary   silence  and  gloom  of  the 
thick  forest.     This  note  is  very  much  like  the  call  of  the 
Chicadee,  and  at  times  both    are  heard  amidst  the  reign- 
inor  silence  of  the  summer  noon.     In  the  whole  district  cf 
this  extensive  hill  or  mountain,  in  Milton,  there  appeared 
to  exist  no   other   pair  of  these   lonely   warblers  but  the 
present.     Another  pair,  however,  had  probably  a  nest  in 
the   vicinity  of  the   woods  of  Mount   Auburn    in  Cam- 
bridge ;     and   in  the  spring  of  the   present  year   (1831) 
several   pair  oi   these  birds  were   seen  for   a  transient 
period. 

This  species  is  about  5  inches  in  length,  and  74  to  8  in  alar  extent. 
Chin  and  throat,  to  the  breast,  black  ;  sides  under  the  wings  spotted 
with  the  same  ;  breast  and  belly  white,  tinged  with  very  pale  yellow  ; 
vent  white.  Wings  dusiiy,  with  2  white  bars.  The  3  exterior  tail-feath- 
ers spotted  on  their  inner  webs  with  white  ;  the  spots  on  the  2  outer 
tail-feathers  very  extensive.  Bill  bL^ck.  Legs  and  feet  brownish- 
yellow. 

Nearly  related  to  the  present  species,  apparently,  is  the  Yellow- 
Fronted  IVarbler  of  Latham  and  Pennant,  said  to  be  a  spring  pas- 
sage bird  through  Pennsylvania.  ~  In  this  the  forehead  and  crown 
are  of  a  bright  yellow  ;  from  the  bill  extends  through  the  eyes  a 
band  of  black,  bounded  on  each  side  with  white.  The  chin,  throat, 
and  lower  side  of  the  ne^ k  are  black.  Breast  and  belly  v/hite.  The 
upper  part  of  the  neck,  back,  rump,  and  lesser  coverts  of  the  wings 


J 


1" 


RUS). 

)efore.     This  simple, 
ntive  song,  uttered  at 
ables,    'tc  (16  tentscd, 
;)retty  loud  and  slow, 
to  low.     In  the  inter- 
latching  small  cynips, 
•  a  smart  snapping  of 
se  made  by  knocking 
I  indolent  ditty  I  have 
nd  solitary    woods  of 
J  there,   it   affords    an 
nee  and  gloom  of  the 
ich  like  the  call  of  the 
eard  amidst  the  rcign- 
[u  the  whole  district  cf 
Milton,  there  appeared 
nely   warblers  but  the 
had  probably  a  nest  in 
unt   Auburn   in  Cam- 
3  present  year  (1831) 
seen  for   a  transient 


1,  and  74  to  8  in  alar  extent. 
es  under  the  wings  spotted 
nged  with  very  pale  yellow ; 
irs.  The  3  exterior  tail-feath- 
ite ;  the  spots  on  the  2  outer 
Legs  and  feet  brownish- 

i,  apparently,  is  the  Yclloxn- 
ANT,  said  to  be  a  spring  pas- 
luB  the  forehead  and  crown 
extends  through  the  eyes  a 
ith  white.  The  chin,  throat, 
Jreast  and  belly  v/hite.  The 
d  lesser  coverts  of  the  wings 


BLACKBURNIAN  WAUBLER. 


379 


k. 


are  of  a  light  bluish-grey,  the  greater  coverts  and  lower  order  of 
'esser  brigl.l  yellow,  forming  a  large  spot  on  each  wing.  Primaries 
and  tail  deep  ash-color ;  the  inner  webs  of  the  exterior  tail-fef.thera 
spotted  with  white. 


BLACKBURNIAN  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  Blatkburniie,  Lath.  Wilson,  iii.  p.  64.  pi.  23.  fig.  3.  Phil. 
Museum,  No.  7000.) 

Sp.  Charalt.  —  The  liead  striped  with  black  nnd  orange;  throat 
and  breast  orange,  bounded  by  black  spots  ;  wings  with  a  large 
white  space;  the  3  lateral  tail-feathers  white  on  the  inner  web. 
—  Female  yellow,  without  orange,  and  tlie  black  spots  fewer. 

This  is  one  of  the  rarest  and  most  beautiful  species  of 
the  genus,  whicli,  from  the  1st  to  the  loth  0  'ay,  or 
sometimes  later,  pays  a  transient  visit  to  the  Middle  and 
Northern  States,  on  its  way  to  its  remote  boreal  place  of 
retirement  for  the  breeding  season.  It  is  still  more 
rarely  seen  in  the  autumn,  about  the  month  of  Septem- 
ber, on  its  passage  to  tropical  America,  where  it  winters, 
as  may  be  presumed  from  its  occurrence  late  in  autumn 
about  Vera  Cruz,  according  to  Mr.  Bullock.  Little 
more  i.s  known  of  it  than  its  external  appearance.  It  is 
an  exceedingly  nimble  insect-hunter,  keeping  towards  the 
tops  of  trees,  scarcely  uttering  even  an  audible  chirp, 
and  at  this  season,  no  song,  as  far  as  is  yet  known  ; 
but  its  habits  at  the  period  of  incubation  are  wholly 
unknown. 

The  Blackburnian  Warbler  is  only  about  44  inches  long,  and  about 
7  in  alar  extent.  A  stripe  of  rich  orange  passes  over  the  eye,  and 
there  is  a  small  touch  of  the  same  beneath  it ;  the  throat  and  breast 
almost  approach  the  fiery  color  of  red-lead,  bounded  by  spots  and 
streaks  of  black  ;  the  belly  dull  yellow,  also  streaked  with  black  • 
vent  white.  The  back  black,  skirted  with  ash ;  wings  the  same, 
marked  with  a  large  lateral  patch  of  white ;  tail  a  little  forked. 
Cheeks  black.    Bill  and  legs  brown. 


m 


S80 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


ORANGE-THROATED  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  auricollis,  Latham,  iv.  p.  481.  No.  103.   Pennant,  Arot. 
Zool.  No.  304.) 

Sp.  CiiABACT.  —  Olive-green;  rump  and  tail-coverts  cinereous  ;  pri- 
maries brown  ;  throat  and  under  side  of  the  body,  orange  ;  vent 
white.  —  Female  with  the  colors  paler. 

This  is  anotlier  rare  and  transient  species,  which  pro- 
ceeds from  its  winter-quarters  in  Mexico  and  the  South- 
ern States  as  far  as  Canada,  in  summer,  to  breed.  About 
the  23d  of  March,  I  saw  numbers  of  these  birds  in  the 
lower  parts  of  Georgia,  feeding  partly  on  berries,  and  on 
insects,  in  the  pursuit  of  which  they  were  busily  engag- 
ed. I  have,  very  rarely,  seen  an  individual  in  this  part  of 
Massachusetts  towards  the  close  of  spring  ;  and  it  ap- 
pears that  Brisson  received  it  from  Canada. 

Above  olive-green,  except  the  lower  part  of  the  back,  rump,  and 
greater  wing-coverts,  which  are  cinereous ;  primaries  brown,  edged 
with  dark  ash,  on  the  inner  webs  with  dirty  white.  Beneath 
orange,  except  the  vent,  which  is  white. 


CHESNUT-SIDED  WARBLER. 

{Sylvia  iclerocephala,  Lath.  Audubon,  pi.  59.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  306. 
S.  pennsylvanica,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  99.  pi.  14.  fig.  5.  Phil.  Museum, 
No.  7000.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Crown  yellow;  under  side  of  the  body  white; 
sides  from  the  throat  chesnut ;  wings  with  2  pale  yellow  bands  ; 
the  3  lateral  tail-feathers  marked  with  white.  — Female  with  the 
crown  and  chesnut  sides  paler. 

This  rare  and  beautiful  Sylvia,  which  probably  win- 
ters in  tropical  America,  appears  in  the  Middle  and 
Northern  States  early  in  May  on  its  way  north  to  breed ; 
♦hey  are  also  seen  in  the  spring  in  Canada  and  around 
Hudson's  Bay.  A  few  remain,  no  doubt,  to  rear  their 
young  in  secluded  mountainous  situations,  in  the  North- 


■  t»i^*m^.m»jsm»mvik^mmitm?l^''> 


[IBLER. 

03.  Pennant,  Arct. 

'erts  cinereous ;  pri- 
body,  orange  ;  vent 

scies,  which  pro- 
)  and  the  South- 
to  breed.  About 
ese  birds  in  the 
1  berries,  and  on 
ire  busily  engag- 
lal  in  this  part  of 
ng ;  and  it  ap- 
da. 

llie  back,  rump,  and 
laries  brown,  edged 
J  white.      Beneath 


LER. 

rn.  Biog.  i.  p.  306. 
;.  5.  Phil.  Museum, 

if  tlie  body  white ; 
pale  yellow  bands ; 
.  —  Female  with  the 


h  probably  win- 
he  Middle  and 
north  to  breed ; 
ada  and  around 
bt,  to  rear  their 
18,  in  the  North- 


"■'i'-^^  -mt^-imm 


CHESNUT-SIDED  WARBLER. 


381 


ern  States  ;  as,  on  the  22d  of  May  (1830),  a  pair  appear- 
ed    to    have    fi.vcd    on  their    summer   abode,    near  the 
summit  of  the  Blue   Hills  of  Milton.     The   note  of  the 
male  was  very  similar  to  that  of  the  Summer  Yellow  Bird, 
being  only  a  little  louder,  and   less   whistling  ;    it  resem- 
bles '<.s//  't^h  'ts/i  'taluj'ia,  given   at   about   an   interval  of 
half  a  minute,  and   answered   by  his   mute   at  some  dis- 
tance, near  which,  it  is  probable,  there  was  a  nest.     He 
appeared  to  be  no   way  suspicious  of  our   approach ;  his 
restlessness   was  subdued,   and   he  quietly  sat   near  the 
same  low  bushes,  amusing  himself  and  his  consort  for  an 
hour  at  a  time,  with  the  display  of  his  lively  and  simple 
ditty.     On  their  iirst   arrival,  previous   to    pairing,  they 
are  like  the  rest  of  the  genus,   generally  restless,  and  in- 
tently engaged    in   the  chase  of  insects   amidst  the  blos- 
soms and  tender  leaves ;    they  likewise  pursue  common 
and  green  bottle  flies  with  avidity  and  success.     On  the 
27th  of  June   (1831)  I  observed   a  pair  selecting  food 
for  their  young,  with  their  usual  address  and  activity,  by 
the  margin  of  a  bushy  and   secluded   swamp  on  the  west 
side  of  Fresh  Pond,  in  this  vicinity  ;    but  I  had  not  the 
good   fortune   to    discover   the   nest.     I   have,    however, 
since,    I    believe,  discovered  the  nest  of  this   bird,  in  a 
hazel  copse  in  a  wood  in  Acton,  in  this  state.    It  is  fixed 
in  the  forked  twigs  of  a  hazel   about  breast  high.     The 
fabric  is  rather  light  and  airy,   being   made  externally  of 
a  few  coarse  blades  and  stalks  of  dead  grass,   then  filled 
in  with  finer  blades  of  the  same,   the  whole   matted  and 
tied  with  caterpillars'  silk,    and   lined   with  very  slender 
strips  of  brown   bark  and  similar  white  pine  leaves.     It 
appeared   to  have  been   forsaken  before  its  completion, 
and  the  eggs  I  have  never  seen. 

Length  from  5  to  5i  inches,  alar  extent  about  8.    The  front,  line 
over  the  eye,  and  ear-feathers  white  ;  crown  brilliant  lemon  yellow  j 


il 


«l»W»«SM5BrSWI^ 


! 


382 


1NSECTV0R0U8  BIRDS. 


a  triangular  patch  of  black  beneath  the  eye  and  connected  with  the 
lores ;  liind-licad  grey  and  blaclt ;  fentlicrs  of  tlie  liack  and  rump 
black,  edged  witii  greeiiisli  yellow.  Winy.s  dusky,  the  primuries  edg- 
ed with  whitish  ;  the  1st  and  2d  row  of  coverts  broadly  tipt  with 
pale  yellow ;  the  secondaries  edged  with  greenish  yellow.  Tail 
forked,  dusky  exteriorly,  edged  witli  ash  or  with  greenish-grey. 
Sides  from  the  black  beneath  the  eye  to  the  thighs,  furnished  wuii  a 
broad  stripe  of  bright  chesnut,  the  rest  of  the  parts  below  pure  white. 
Legs  and  feet  dusky.     Bill  black.     Iris  hazel. 


BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER. 

{Sylvia  castanea,  Wilson,  ii,  p.  97.  pi.  14.  fig.  4.  Audubon,  pi.  69. 
Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  3r>8.'    Phil.  Museum,  No.  7:?!  1.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Forehead  and  cheeks  black;  crown,  throat,  and 
sides  under  the  wings,  bay  ;  the  wings  with  2  white  bars ;  3  lat- 
eral tail-feathers  marked  with  white.  —  The  female  with  less  and 
paler  bay  on  the  breast,  and  less  black  on  the  head. 

TnLs  is  a  still  rarer  and  more  transient  visitor  than  the 
last.  It  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  from  the  South  .some  time 
in  April,  nr  about  the  beginning  of  May,  and  towards  the 
12th  or  loth  of  the  same  month  it  visits  Massachusetts, 
but  seldom  stays  more  than  a  week  or  ten  ten  days,  and 
is  very  rarely  seen  on  its  return  in  autumn.  Audubon 
once  observed  these  birds  in  Louisiana  late  in  June,  so 
that  they  probably  sometimes  breed  in  very  secluded 
places,  without  regularly  proceeding  to  the  Northern 
regions.  It  is  an  active  insect-hunter,  and  keeps  much 
towards  the  tops  of  the  highest  trees,  where  it  darts 
about  with  great  activity  and  hangs  from  the  twigs  with 
fluttering  wings.  One  of  these  birds,  which  was  wound- 
ed in  the  wing,  soon  became  reconciled  to  confinement, 
and  greedily  caught  at  and  devoured  the  flies  which  I 
offered  him  ;  but  from  the  extent  of  the  injury,  he  did 
not  long  survive.  In  habits  and  manners,  as  well  as 
markings,  this  species  greatly  resembles  the  preced- 
ing. 


id  connected  with  the 
f  tlie  biick  and  rump 
ky,thp  primaries  edg- 
erta  broadly  tipt  witli 
■eenish  yellow.  Tail 
r  with  greenish-grey, 
iglis,  furnished  wi.ii  a 
arts  below  pure  wliite. 


BLER. 

.  4.  Audubon,  pi.  69. 
,  No.7;?ll.) 
;  crown,  throat,  and 
th  2  white  bars;  3  lat- 
e  female,  with  less  and 
.he  head. 

ent  visitor  than  the 
le  South  some  time 
y,  and  towards  the 
sits  Massacluisetts, 
■  ten  ten  days,  and 
utumn.  Audubon 
na  late  in  June,  so 
in  very  secluded 
to  the  Northern 
,  and  keeps  much 
3s,  where  it  darts 
rem  the  twigs  with 
which  was  wound- 
ed to  confinement, 
the  flies  which  I 
the  injury,  he  did 
inners,  as  well  as 
nbles   the    preced- 


BLACK-POLL  WARBLER. 


383 


Its  length  is  about  5  inches  or  a  little  more  ;  the  alar  extent  11. 
The  crown  a  very  bright  bay.  Beneath,  except  the  sides,  ochreous 
white  ;  hind-head  and  back  streaked  with  black  on  a  greyish  buff 
ground.  Wings  brownish-black  with  2  bars  of  white.  Tail  forked, 
brownish-black,  edged  with  ash.  Behind  the  eye  is  a  broad  oblong 
spotofyellowish-white,  inclining  to  buff.  Legs  dusky.  Bill  black. 
Iris  hazel. 

BLACK-POLL  WARBLER. 

{Sylvia  striata.  Lath.  Wilson,  iv.  p.  40.  pi.  30.  fig.  X  [male];  and 
vi.  p.  101.  pi.  54.  fig.  3.  [female.]  Phil.  Museum,  No.  7054.) 

Sp.  Charact.  — Crown  black;  cheeks  and  beneath  white;  wings 
with  a  white  bands,  the  tail  blackish  ;  2  or  .3  lateral  tail-feathers 
marked  internally  with  white.  —  Female  and  young  dull  yellow- 
ish-olive, streaked  with  black  and  grey  ;  beneath  white  ;  cheeks 
and  sides  of  the  breast  tinged  with  yellow. 

This  rather  common  and  well  marked  species  is  ob- 
served to  arrive  in  Pennsylvania  from  the  South  about 
the  20th  of  April,  but  in  Massachusetts  hardly  before  the 
middle  of  May  ;  it  returns  early  in  September,  and  ap- 
pears to  feed  wholly  on  insects.  In  the  Middle  States  it  is 
confined  chiefly  to  the  woods,  where,  in  the  summits  of  the 
tallest  trees,  it  is  seen  in  busy  pursuit  of  its  favorite  prey. 
On  its  first  arrival  it  keeps  usually  in  the  tops  of  the  ma- 
ples, darting  about  amidst  the  blossoms.  As  the  woods 
become  clothed  with  leaves,  it  may  be  found  pretty  gen- 
erally as  a  summer  resident ,-  it  often  also  seeks  the  banks 
of  creeks  t.nd  swamps,  in  which  situations  it  probably 
passes  the  breeding  season,  but  its  nest  is  yet  unknown. 
In  this  vicinity  they  are  sometimes  familiar  visitors  in 
the  lowest  orchard-trees,  where  they  feed  on  canker- 
worms  and  other  small  caterpillars,  as  well  as  flies  of  dif- 
ferent kinds,  &c.  At  this  time,  towards  the  month  of 
June,  it  is  no  longer  a  restless  wanderer,  but  having  fixed 
upon  its  station  for  the  summer,  it  now  begins,  in  a  hum- 
ble way,  to  display  its  musical  talents  in  the  cherished 


Ji 


w  i1 


'•nil"  ' iwimiwaigBaiiWtr' 


384 


INSECTIVOROUS    BIRDS. 


and  constant  company  of  its  faithful  mntp.  This  note, 
uttered  at  intervals  of  half  a  minute,  is  like  the  sound  of 
tsii'  tsh  tsh  take  tshe,  from  low  to  high,  but  altogether  so 
shrill  and  slender  as  to  sound  almost  like  the  faint  filing 
of  a  saw.  This  species  extends  its  migrations  to  New- 
foundland according  to  Pennant.  Its  nest,  like  that  of 
the  following  species,  to  which  it  is  much  allied,  will 
probably  be  found  on  the  ground,  or  in  the  hollow  of  a 
decayed  tree. 

The  Black-Poll  WLrbler  is  oj  inches  long,  and  SJ  in  alar  extent. 
The  crown  and  hind-head  is  black  (in  the  male),  the  lattor  bounded 
behind  by  greyish  white.  Cheeks  white ;  from  each  side  of  the 
lower  mandible  runs  a  chain  of  small  black  spots  becoming  larger  on 
the  sides  ;  primaries  black,  edged  with  greenish  yellow.  Hack  a.sh, 
a  little  inclining  to  olive,  and  largely  spotted  with  black.  Tail  black, 
edged  with  ash  ;  vent  white.  Bill  black  above,  yellowish  white  be- 
low.    Iris  haz-^l.     Legs  and  feet  yellow. 


BLACK  AND  WHITE  WARBLER,  or  CREEPER. 

(Sylvia  taria,  Lath.  Ai  dubon,  pi.  90.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  4.')2.  Ctrthia 
maadala,  Wihioti,  iii.  p.  23.  pi.  19.  fig.  3.  Phil.  Museum,  No. 
7092.) 

Sp.Chah ACT.  — Varied  with  black  and  white;  the  crown  striped 
with  black  ;  belly  pure  whiVv.— Male,  with  the  throat  black.  — 
Female  and  young,  with  the  throat  greyish  white. 

This  remarkable  bird,  allied  to  the  Creepers,  and  of 
which  Vieillot  forms  a  distinct  genus,*  is  another  rather 
common  summer  resident  in  most  parts  of  the  United 
States,  and  probably  migrates  pretty  far  to  the  North.  It 
arrives  in  Louisiana  by  the  middle  of  February,  visits 
Pennsylvania  about  the  second  week  in  April,  and  a 
week  later  appears  in  the  woods  of  New  England,  pro- 
tracting its  stay  in  those  countries  till  the  beginning  of 
October,   and  lingering   on  the  southern  limits  of  the 

+  Mniotilttt. 


38. 

nintp.  This  note, 
is  like  tiic  sound  of 
h,  but  altogether  so 

liiic  the  faint  filing 
migrations  to  New- 
Its  nest,  like  that  of 
8  much  allied,  will 
•  in   the  hollow  of  a 

,  and  8J  in  alar  extent, 
lale),  the  lattor  bounded 
from  encli  side  of  the 
pots  liecoiiiinjf  larger  on 
liah  yellow.  Hack  ash, 
with  black.  Tail  black, 
ve,  yellowish  white  be- 


R,  OR  CREEPER. 

Biog.  i.  p.  152.  Certliia 
.3.     Phil.  Museum,  No. 

lite  ;  the  crown  striped 
vith  the  throat  black.  — 
ih  white. 

le  Creepers,  and  of 
,*  is  another  rather 
larts  of  the  United 
far  to  the  North.  It 
of  February,  visits 
jk  in  April,  and  a 
New  England,  pro- 
ill  the  beginning  of 
them  limits  of  the 


ni.ArK  A.VD  wniTK  waubler,  or  (  rekpkr.        ;185 

Union  a  month  later,  so  that  it  does  not  appear  to  be 
much  alfecled  by  the  commencement  of  frost,  and  proba- 
bly, at  this  .leason,  occasionally  feeds  on  berries.  As 
they  are  observed  round  Vera  Cruz  towards  the  com- 
mencement of  winter,  and  are  described  as  inhabitino' 
the  West  India  islands,  it  is  probable  they  wholly  pass 
the  extremity  of  the  wiuter  beyond  the  southern  boun- 
dary of  the  United  States. 

Like  tiic  Creepers  and  Nutliatclies,  this  species  is 
seldom  seen  to  porch  ujion  the  branches  of  trees,  l)ut 
creeps  spirally  around  the  trunk  and  larger  boughs  up 
and  down,  in  quest  of  insects  whicii  aiigiit  upon  or  hide 
within  the  crevices  of  the  bark.  In  this  employment  thoy 
di-splay  all  tlie  dexterity  of  the  more  regular  cliniliers. 
Fcr  this  purpo.se  the  hind  toe  is  rather  stout,  and  extends 
backward  so  as  to  balance  with  the  rest  of  the  anterior 
part  of  the  foot,  and  allow  a  motion  like  that  of  the 
Creepers,  from  which  genus  they  are,  at  the  same  titne, 
wholly  distinct. 

At  the  period  of  nesting  the  male  scrapes  out  a  little 
monotonous  ditty  in  recognition  of  his  mate,  resembling 
somewhat  the  syllables  fn  tshe  take  tshc  tsh'  tskite,  pro- 
ceeding from  high  to  low,  in  a  tolerably  strong  and 
.shrill,  but  somewhat  filing  tone.  As  the  season  of  incu- 
bation advances,  this  note,  however,  becomes  more  mel- 
low and  warbling,  and,  though  feeble,  is  very  pleasing, 
bearing  at  this  time  some  resemblance  to  that  of  the  Red- 
start {Si/Iixmia  ruticilla.)  This  song  is  like  the  ascend- 
ing call  oi'fwcr  'twre  'twee  'twcr  'twfit.  At  the  romantic 
estate  of  the  Cold  Spring  place  in  Roxbury,  the  proprie- 
tor, Mr.  Newman,  pointed  out  to  me  the  nest  of  this 
bird,  which,  on  the  27th  of  .Tune,  contained  4  young 
about  a  week  old.  Other  birds  of  this  species,  I  had 
seen  fledged  this  year  about  the  17th  of  the  same  month, 
33 


1N8ECTIVOROII8  BIIIDB. 

and  as  Wilson  remarks  the  flight  of  the  young  in  July, 
we  may  suppose  that  tliey  raise  2  hroods  in  the  season. 
The  nest  was  niched  in  the  shelving  of  a  rock,  on  the 
surface  of  the  ground,  and  was  externally  composed  of 
coarse  strips  of  the  inner  bark  of  the  hemlock*  trees, 
which  oversliadowed  the  situation.  With  these  were  mix- 
ed soft,  dissected,  old  leaves,  and  a  few  stalks  of  dead 
grass  ;  the  lining  was  made  of  a  thin  layer  of  hlack  hair. 
The  eggs  were  5,  whitish,  said  to  be  marked  at  the  larger 
end  with  brownish  red  spots.  According  to  Audubon, 
they  nest  in  Louisiana  in  some  small  hole  in  a  tree,  and 
employ  dry  moss,  and  a  lining  of  downy  substances.  The 
pair  fed  the  young  before  us  with  affectionate  attention, 
and  did  not  seem  more  uneasy  at  our  presence  than  the 
common  and  familiar  Summer  Yellow-bird.  They  crept 
about  the  trunks  of  the  neighbouring  trees,  often  head 
downwards  like  the  Sittas,  and  carried  large,  smooth 
caterpillars  to  their  young.  This  is,  in  fact,  at  all  times, 
a  familiar,  active,  and  unsuspicious  little  visitor  of  the 
shady  gardens  and  orchards,  as  well  as  woods  and  soli- 
tudes. 

The  length  of  the  variegated  Warblev  is  from  5  to  SJ  inches ;  the 
alar  extent  7J  The  crown  white,  bordered  on  each  side  by  a  band 
of  black,  which  is  again  bounded  by  a  line  of  white  passing  over 
each  eye  ;  ear-feathers  black,  as  well  as  tlie  chin  and  throat ;  wings 
the  same,  with  2  white  bars ;  breast,  back,  sides,  and  rump  spotted 
with  black  and  white.  Tail  and  prunaries  edged  with  light  grey, 
the  coverts  black,  bordered  with  white.  Belly  wiiite.  Legs  and 
feet  dusky  yellow,  Bill  black  above,  paler  below,  rather  long  and 
slender,  curved,  with  the  upper  mandible  keeled  and  compressed  at 
the  sides.  Tongue  long,  and  fine  pointed.  —  Feviale  with  the  crown 
wholly  black,  and  without  the  black  auricular  feathers ;  the  prima- 
ries edged  with  olive.     Legs  pale  yellow. 


*  JlHu  eanadmtia. 


I^' 


tie  young  in  July, 
ids  in  the  season, 
af  a  rock,  on  the 
lally  composed  of 

hemlock*  trees, 
h  these  were  mix- 
w  stalks  of  dead 
yer  of  black  hair, 
rked  at  the  larger 
ling  to  Audubon, 
lole  in  a  tree,  and 
r  substances.  The 
itionate  attention, 
presence  than  the 
)ird.     They  crept 

trees,  often  head 
ed  large,    smooth 

fact,  at  all  times, 
ittle  visitor  of  the 
us  woods  and  soli- 


n  5  to  6Jl  inches ;  the 
1  each  Bide  by  a  band 
if  white  passing  over 
in  and  tiiroat ;  wings 
les,  and  rump  spotted 
Iged  with  light  grey, 
lly  wliite.  Legs  and 
•low,  rather  long  and 
led  and  compressed  at 
^emale  with  the  crown 
feathers ;  the  prima- 


PINE   WARHLER. 


PINE  WARBLER. 


387 


(Sylvia  pinut,  Lath.  Wilson,  iii.  p.  25.  pi.  19.  fig.  4.  Phil.  Mu»«- 
uiu,  No.  7312.) 

Sr.  CiunAcr.  —  Hriglit  olive-yellow,  tinged  with  green;  beneath 
yellow,  clouded  with  obscure  spots;  vent  white;  wings  with  2 
whitish  bands,  and  with  the  tail  dusky  brown  ;  2  lateral  tail- 
feathers  partly  white;  lores  not  black.  —  fVj/ifl/e  greyish  brown, 
tinged  with  olive  green  on  the  back  ;  beneath  pale  yellow  on  the 
breast.—  Young  dusky  olive  above,  yellowish  obscure  white  be- 
low. 

This  common  species,  to  the  commencement  of  win- 
ter, iniiabits  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  probably 
extends  its  northern  migrations  to  the  forests  of  New- 
foundland. They  arrive  in  Pennsylvania  at  the  close  of 
March  and  beginning  of  April,  and  .soon  after  are  seen 
in  all  parts  of  New  England,  amidst  the  pine  and  juniper 
forests,  in  which  they  principally  reside.  Both  the  old 
and  young  remain  with  us  till  nearly  the  close  of  Octo- 
ber ;  stragglers  have  even  been  seen  in  mid-winter  in  the 
latitude  of  43  degrees.*  In  winter  they  rove  through 
the  pine  forests  and  barrens  of  the  Southern  States  in 
companies  of  20  to  50  or  more,  alighting  at  times  on  the 
trunks  of  the  trees,  and  attentively  searching  them  for 
lurking  larva;,  but  are  most  frequently  employed  in  cap- 
turing the  small  insects  which  infest  the  opening  buds  of 
the  pine,  around  which  they  may  be  seen  perpetually 
hovering,  springing,  or  creeping,  with  restless  activity  ; 
in  this  way  they  proceed,  from  time  to  time,  foraging 
through  the  forest ;  occasionally,  also,  they  alight  on 
the  ground  in  quest  of  worms  and  grubs  of  various  kinds, 
or  dart  irregularly  after  hovering  flies,  almost  in  the 
manner  of  the  Flycatchers.  In  those  states  they  are  by 
far  the  most  numerous  of  all  the  Warblers.   In  the  month 

*  Hr.  Charlti  Pickering. 


I 


r  'i 


INSEOTIVOROrfl  BIRDH. 


of  Murcli  they  already  began  to  show  iiidicatioiiM  for 
pairinjr,  niid  jonloUM  contests  i-usui!'!  poriHitiiully  luiuing 
the  males.  Tlie  principal  body  of  the  species  probably 
remain  the  year  round  in  the  southern  forests,  where  I 
saw  them  throufrhout  tiie  winter;  great  numbers  are  .ilso 
bred  in  tiie  Nortlicrn  States.  In  summer  their  food  is 
the  eggs  and  larvffi  of  various  insects,  as  well  as  Hies 
or  cynips,  caterpillars,  coleoptera,  and  ants.  In  au- 
tumn, the  young  frequent  the  gardens,  groves,  and 
orchards,  feeding  likewise  on  berries  of  various  kinds,  as 
on  those  of  the  cornel,  wild  grape,  and  five-leaved  ivy  ;  at 
this  season  they  arc  very  fat,  and  (ly  and  forage  in  fami- 
lies. They  now  only  utter  a  .shrill  and  plaintive  chip. 
I  have  had  a  male  Pine  Warbler,  domesticated  for  a 
short  time  ;  ho  fed  gratefully,  from  the  instant  he  wns 
caught,  upon  (lies,  small  eiirth-worms,  and  minced  flesh, 
nnd  was  so  tame  and  artless,  as  to  sit  coulentcd  on  every 
hand,  and  scarcely  shift  himself  securely  from  my  feet. 
On  offering  him  drink  he  walked  directly  into  the  vessel, 
without  using  the  slightest  precaution  or  exhibiting  any 
trace  of  fear.  His  tt^hip  and  manner  in  all  respects  were 
those  of  the  Autumnal  Warbler. 

The  song  of  the  Pine  Warbler,  though  agreeable, 
amidst  the  dreary  solitude  of  the  boundless  forests  which 
he  frequents,  has  but  little  compass  or  variety  ;  sometimes 
it  approaches  the  simplest  trill  of  the  Canary,  but  it  is 
commonly  a  reverberating,  gently  rising,  or  murmuring 
sound,  like  er  'r  'r  'r  'r  'r  'r  ah ;  or,  in  the  spring,  'Uee 
'twe  'tin  'tw  'tw  'Up  'tw,  and  sometimes  like  'tsh  'tsh  'tsh 
'tw  'tw  'tw  'tw  'tw  ;  when  hearkened  to  some  time,  there 
is  a  variation  in  the  cadence,  which,  though  rather  fee- 
ble at  a  distance,  is  not  unpleasant,  as  the  little  minstrel 
tunes  his  pipe  during  the  heat  of  the  summer  day,  while 
he  flits  gently  and  innocently  fearless  through  the  shady 


PINK    WARIII.P.R. 


389 


V  iiulicntioTiM  for 
crpctiially  luitoii^ 
spccicM  prnbiibly 
forcstH,  wliero  I 
iiiiinl«!rH  arc  also 
iiiur  tlitiir  food  is 
,  an  well  as  flies 
(i  untH.  In  au- 
i)»,    groves,     and 

varioiiH  kinda,  as 
ivc-ieavt'd  ivy  ;  at 
id  foraije  in  fami- 
id  |)iaintivo  chip, 
iiucsticated  I'or  a 
lie  instant  he  wps 
mid  Miiiiccd  flesh, 
jiilentt'd  on  every 
ely  from  my  feet, 
ly  into  the  vessel, 
or  exiiibitiiig  any 

all  respects  were 

hough  agreeable, 
less  forests  which 
ariety  ;  sometimes 
Canary,  but  it  is 
g,  or  murmuring 
in  the  spring,  'twe 
like  'tsh  'tsh  'tsh 
I  some  time,  there 
though  rather  fee- 
the  little  minstrel 
immer  day,  while 
hrough  the  shady 


boughs  of  the  pine  or  cedar  in  perpetual  ipiest  of  his  un- 
tiring prey.  This  song  is  commonly  heard  at  a  consid- 
crablo  distance  from  his  mate  and  nest,  from  whom  he 
often  widely  strays,  according  to  the  success  of  his  pre- 
carious pursuit.  As  the  .sound  of  the  warble  varies  from 
slender  to  high  or  low,  it  is  often  dillicult  to  discover  the 
retreat  of  the  little  busy  musician,  which  appears  far  or 
near  with  the  modulation  of  his  almost  ventrilo(|Uous  note. 
The  female  likewi.se  tunes,  nt  times,  her  more  slender 
lay  in  a  wiry  tone,  almost  like  that  of  the  iS.  varia,  in 
early  spring. 

About  the  7tli  of  June    (I8!10)  I  discovered   a  nest  of 
this  species  in  a  Virginian  juniper,  near  Mount  Auburn 
in  this  vicinity,   at  the  height  of  about  4(»  feet  from  the 
ground.     It   was  firmly  fixed  in  the  upright  twigs  of  a 
close  branch.     The  nest   was   thin,   but  very  neat  ;  the 
principal  material  was  the  wiry  old  stems  of  the  slender 
knot-weed  {Puhjironum  tcnue),  circularly  interlaced,  and 
connected  externally  with  rough  linty  fibres  of  some  spe- 
cies of  Asrtrpins,  and   blended  with   caterpillars'   webs. 
The  lining   was   made  of  a   few   hogs'  bristles,  slender 
root-fibres,  a  mat  of  the  down  of  Fern  stalks,  and  one  or 
two  feathers  of  the  Robin's   breast ;    a  curious  medley, 
but  all  answering  the   purpose  of  warmth  and  shelter  for 
the  expected  brood.     I  saw  several  of  these  nests,  which 
had  at  different  times  been  thrown  to  the  ground,  and  in 
all,  the  wiry   grass  and   general   material  were  the  same 
as  in  the  one  now  described  ;  and  this,  of  course,  is  en- 
tirely different  from  that  given   by  Wilson  on  the  author- 
ity  of  Mr.  Abbot.     The  nest,   there  mentioned,   is  noth- 
ing  more  than  the  usual   pendulous  fabric  of  the  Red- 
eyed  Warbling  Flycatcher.     The  eggs  in  ours  were  4, 
and,  advanced  towards  hatching,  they  were  white,  with  a 
slight  tinge  of  green,  very  full  of  small  pale  brown  spots 
33* 


i.' 


••0 


iNsru  r'VMf  *in«  ntnni. 


•oinowlidt  morn  numoroiiH  tnwiirHs  llu-  liir^or  oiid,  wlifrr 
thpy  nppc  .r  roiiiHutcfl  or  ii^fj^roifuttd  iirouml  ii  purplish 
grniiiKr.  TIm>  fomnlu  miulo  some  liltio  cninplnint,  Imt 
almoBt  inirnccliiiU'ly  reHii'Med  hor  noiit,  though  '2  of  tho 
cgfi-*  wvrv  tiikfii  avviiy  ;  \hv  niitlo  ni.i<l«'  oH"  imiiiotliatcly, 
nnil  w.is  hut  McXhjni  fterii  (icnr  the  pl;iri> 

I  hiivf  n  Niispicion  that  Wilson's  llrmlnrk  Wiirhhr,  or 
thfi  folh»winij(  spocioH,  is  littlo  moro  than  a  variety  or  nc- 
cidcntnl  Htnti-  of  pluinajijo  of  the  present  xpccies. 

llie  length  of  tho  riiic  Wiirlili-r  in  iilxmt '>4  iticlifd  ;  tlii>  iilnr  pxt«nt 
8^  toil.  Above,  yfll(iwinli-(,'rfeii,  incliiinij}  l<>  "live  ;  tliront,  Hide*,  and 
breaRt  yi'llow,  clouded  nt  llie  BidiH  near  llie  hreiwt  with  n  few  <divB 
■pota.  VVinKii  »'"'  '^'"'  ''<i»ky  lirown,  the  former  marked  with  2 
ban  of  whiti*li.  Tail  forked  ond  edged  with  aali,  the  two  exterior 
feathern  marked  near  the  tip  with  a  liroad  npol  of  while;  vent  white. 
Irinha/.e!.  —  The  ijoiiiii;  in  their  lirHt  plumage,  while  fed  by  the  old, 
Uf  above  dusky-olive,  and  below  greyish-white,  with  ncorcely  any 
yellow.  Before  leaving  u»  in  the  nntiunii,  the  male,  however,  vnry 
dtffvrent  (Vouj  the  Aulumn.il  Warbler,  acipiireti  below,  a  yellow, 
more  brilliant  than  at  any  othei  period  of  its  uxiHtence. 


AUTUMNAL  WAHBLKR. 

{Syteia  autiimnalig,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  65.  pi.  2.'}.  fig.  4.  Audubos, 
pi.  83.     Orn.  Hiog.  i.  p.  447.) 

8p.  CiiAnACT.  —  Yellow-olive  with  dusky  spots  on  the  bnok ;  b<>- 
neath  and  cheeks  pale  yellow  ;  belly  white  ;  wings  with  2  white 
bands  and  ai  well  as  the  tail  dusky  ;  two  (rarely  3)  of  Uie  lateral 
tail-feathers  with  a  white  spot. 

Tins  plain-looking  species  enters  the  southern  ex- 
tremity of  thc!  United  States  early  in  March,  and  pro- 
ceeds to  the  Northern  and  Ea.stern  States  to  breed.  Gre- 
garious flocks  are  seen  in  the  larger  solitary  forests  of 
Massachusetts  as  early  as  the  JJOth  of  July,  i-r.oiiit)led 
from  the  neighbouring  districts  probably,  in  'vhicli  »fey 
have  been  reared.    They  remain  with  us  ust     iy  un'.iiUie 


W"  '  tvMl 


M  ■ 


AUTl'MNAI.   WARIII.r'.R, 


»1 


liir^jfr  oiiil,  wlirrr 
riiiiiiil  a  piirjtlixli 
lo  coinphiirit,  l)iit 
,  tlinii(;li  'i  of  the 
)  oH'  imincdinlcly, 
i». 

iilnrk  Warblfr,  or 
.11  a  variety  or  ac- 
l  species. 

chefi ;  tin*  nlar  extent 
iv<' ;  tliriint,Hi(loii,and 
rfimt  willi  n  (Vw  dlivo 
riiicr  mnrkfd  with  2 
anil,  the  two  extt>rior 
if  wliiti'  ;  vi'iil  whiti'. 
,  whili-  ('••il  \>y  ihf  old, 
ite,  Willi  nftnrecly  nny 
'  iiinlf,  liowovcr,  vv-ry 
reB  lipliiw,  a  yellow, 
(iHteliCf. 

ER. 

23.  fig.  4.     AuDCBOw, 

(itH  on  the  hnnk ;  be- 
' ;  wingH  with  2  white 
arely  3)  of  the  lateial 

the  southern  ex- 
March,  aad  pro- 
les to  breed.  Grc- 
•  solitary  forests  of 
f  July,  1-1,11  I ijJed 
jjy,  in  'v'licli  if  ov 
us  U8u:Uiy  un'.iii}'> 


ellM«  ofOrtoher,  nt  wliicli  tiiin!  they  are  als..  spen  in  the 
Middle  Stiles.     'I'liuir  liiod  coiLHistn  of  "innlj  insects  and 

berries.    Late  in  the  season  on  i  fine  tint nl  moriu,  ;», 

troops  of  thcin  may  lie  seen  in  tiic'  llelds  and  lanes, 
sonictimes  dcsccndin^f  to  the  jf'X'i'd,  and  busily  employ- 
cd  ill  turninir  over  the  new  fallen  leaves,  or  perainhulat- 
inK  and  .-tear.liin;,'  the  chinks  of  tlr;  bark  of  trees,  or  the 
hole  in  the  po  t  .,1  the  fence  in  quest  of  lurkinj?  moths 
and  .-.piders  ;  and  wiiile  thus  eajrerly  enj-aKeil,  tliey  are 
occL^ifHii  lly  iiKilested  or  driven  away  by  the  more  legiti- 
'iiate  Creepers  or  Nuthatches,  who.«e  jcaioii.sy  they  thus 
arouse  by  their  invasion.  Earlier  in  tiu!  season,  they 
prey  on  rynips,  Hies,  and  more  active  Raiiio,  in  pursuit 
ol  which  they  may  be  seen  (liitteriiiK  and  darting  through 
the  verdant  boiigiis  of  the  forest  trees.  One  of  these 
little  visitors  which  I  obtained,  by  its  flying  inadvertent- 
ly into  an  open  ciiainber,  soon  became  reconcil.'d  to  con- 
finement, (lew  vigorously  after  house  flies,  and  fed  greed- 
ily on  grasshoppers  and  ivy-bcrries  (Ci.isu.i  hrf/rrcuea)  ; 
at  length  it  became  so  sociable  as  to  court  my  acrpiaint- 
ance,  and  eat  from  my  hand.  Before  I  restored  it  to 
liberty,  its  occasional  twrrt  attracted  several  of  its  sociol 
c  nipanions  to  the  windows  of  its  prison. 

In  the  autumn,  when  these  birds  are  most  observable, 
they  are  destitute  of  .«oiig,  and  only  utter  a  plaintive  call 
of  recognition.  The  male,  however,  in  the  season  of  in- 
cubation has  a  variety  of  mil  and  pleasing  notes,  but 
without  much  of  musical  compass.  Audubon  found 
them  breeding  in  the  vincinity  of  Cayuga  lakes,  and  on 
the  borders  of  Lake  Champlain,  in  the  retirement  of  the 
forest :  he  has  likewise  observed  them  at  this  season  in 
the  Great  Pine  Swamp  or  forest  of  Penn.sylvania  near  the 
Flue  Mountains.  The  nest,  according  to  him,  is  placed 
in  the  slender  fork  of  a  low  bush,  and  is  made  of  the  thin 


392 


INSECTIVOnOUS    BIRDS. 


bark  of  vines,  and  lined  with  downy  vegetable  substan- 
ces. The  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  white,  with  a  reddish  tint, 
and  sprinkled  with  brownish  dots  at  the  larger  end.  As 
he  observed  the  female  sitting  so  late  as  the  20th  of  Au- 
gust, it  is  probable  they  raise  two  broods  in  the  season. 
It  is  very  nearly  allied  to  the  preceding  species,  and  does 
not  differ  from  it  in  size. 

The  Autumnal  Warbler  is  from  5J  to  6  inches  long,  and  about  9  in 
alar  stretcli.  Individuals  vary  considerably  in  tlieir  color  and  mark- 
ings, some  being  darker  above,  and  more  yellow  below.  The  under 
mandible  and  legs  are  yellowish.  Audubon's  specimens  are  unusu- 
ally pale,  as  well  as  Wilson's,  but  1  have  seen  individuals  nearly 
yellow  beneath. 


HEMLOCK  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  parus,  Wilson,  v.  p.  114.  pi.  44.  fig.  3.  [male.] 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Yellow-olive  with  black  spots  ;  head  above  yellow, 
dotted  with  black  ;  line  over  the  eye,  sides  of  the  neck,  and  breast, 
yellow ;  wings  with  2  broad  white  bands,  and  witli  the  tail  black  ; 
the  3  lateral  tail-feathers  white  on  tlieir  inner  vanes. 

This  very  rare  species  was  found  by  Wilson  in  the 
spring,  in  the  Great  Pine  Swamp  in  Pennsylvania;  and 
appeared  to  take  up  its  residence  in  the  dark  hemlock 
trees*  of  that  desolate  region.  It  was  very  lively  and 
active,  climbing  among  the  branches  and  hanging  from 
the  twigs  like  a  Titmouse.  It  darted  after  flies  to  a 
considerable  distance,  and  beginning  with  the  lower 
branches,  hunted  with  regularity  upwards  to  the  summit 
of  the  tree,  and  in  this  way  it  proceeded  very  industrious- 
ly to  forage  through  the  forest  till  satisfied.  At  intervals, 
it  stopped  an  instant  to  warble  out  a  few  low  and  sweet 
notes,  probably  for  the  recognition  or  company  of  its 
mate,  which  the  discoverer,  however,  did  not  see. 

*  MUs  canadeiuit. 


mmvmmmiim 


•MMi 


ilRDS. 

ivny  vegetable  substan- 
3,  with  a  reddish  tint, 
at  the  larger  end.  As 
late  as  the  20tii  of  Au- 
o  broods  in  the  season. 
^ding  species,  and  does 

inches  long,  and  about  9  in 
l)!y  in  their  color  and  inark- 
!  yellow  below.  The  under 
)on'B  specimens  are  unusu- 
ve  seen  individuals  nearly 


LBLER. 

pi.  44.  fig.  3.  [male.] 
;  spots  ;  head  above  yellow, 
ides  of  the  neck,  and  breast, 
ids,  and  witli  Uie  tail  black  ; 
ir  inner  vanes. 

and  by  Wilson  in  the 
in  Pennsylvania ;  and 
3  in  the  dark  hemlock 
it  was  very  lively  and 
hea  and  hanging  from 
diirted  after  flies  to  a 
[ining  with  the  lower 
ipwardsi  to  the  summit 
eeded  very  industrious- 
satisfied.  At  intervals, 
It  a  few  low  and  sweet 
ion  or  company  of  its 
'er,  did  not  see. 


Wi)mwiMil'l»'M>^''-''!:?i.'~9;''g?.^?l^tgf*<Wi 


BLUE-OREEN  WARDI.ER. 


393 


The  Hemlock  Warbler  is  about  5i  inches  long,  and  S  in  alar  extent. 
Above  yellow-olive,  spotted  with  black.  Tlic  belly  of  a  paler  yel- 
low than  the  breast,  and  streaked  with  dusky  ;  round  tlie  breastsome 
small  streiiks  of  blackish.  Wings  black,  the  gre;iter  coverts  and 
ne.Tct  superior  row  broadly  tipt  with  white,  forming  2  bars  ;  prima- 
ries edged  with  olive,  tertials  with  white.  Tail-coverts  black,  tipt 
with  olive  ;  the  tail  slightly  forked,  and  also  edged  with  olive.  Bill 
black  above,  pale  l)elow.  Legs  and  feet  dusky  yellow.  Iris  hazel. 
—  The  greater  fpiantity  of  white  on  the  wing  and  tail,  and  yellow 
on  the  head,  are  all  the  essential  marks  which  in  any  way  distin- 
guish this  supposed  species  from  the  Pine  Warbler. 


BLUE  MOUNTAIN  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  tigrina,  Lath.    .S'.  monlanu,  Wilson,  v.  p.  113.  pi.  44.  fig.  2, 

[m.ile.] 

Sp.  CirAR.vcT.  —  Yellow-olive  ;  front,  cheeks,  chin,  and  sidtw  of  the 
neck  yellow  ;  breast  and  belly  pale  yellow,  streaked  with  dusky  ; 
wings  with  2  white  bars,  and  with  the  rounded  tail  black  ;  the  2 
lateral  tail-feathers  white  on  the  inner  vanes  below  the  summits. 

This  is  anotiier  very  rare  species  allied  to  the  Pfne 
Warbler,  which  visits  the  United  States  during  Summer. 
Its  habits  arc  much  tlie  same  as  the  preceding,  and  its 
song  a  feeble  screep,  three  or  four  times  repeated.  Its 
rounded  tail  is  a  striking  external  trait  of  distinction. 

It  is  J|  inches  long.  Vent  pale  yellow;  quills  edged  with  whitish; 
tail  edged  with  pale  olive.  Bill  dark  brown.  Legs  and  feet  purpfe 
brown.    Iris  hazel.  —  Female  unknown. 


BLUE-GREEN  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  rorff,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  119.  pi.  27.  firr.  2.  Aitditbon,  pi.  49. 
Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  258.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  7788.) 

Sp.  Chabact.  —  Pale  greenish  blue  ;  lores,  line  over  the  eye,  and  all 
beneath  white;  wings  with  2  white  bars,  and  with  the  emargina- 
ted  tail  blackish-brown  ;  the  3  lateral  tail-feathers  with  a  w^iite 
patch  near  the  extremities  of  the  inner  vanes. 


m 


294 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


The  first  individual  of  this  species  known  to  natural- 
ists, was  obtained  in  the  month  of  April,  by  Wilson,  on 
the  banks  of  Cumberland  river.  It  was  actively  gleaning 
up  insects  among  the  high  branches  of  the  tallest  trees, 
with  all  the  agility  of  the  Flycatchers.  Its  note  was  a 
feeble  chirp.  *  cording  to  Audubon  it  appears  in  Lou- 
isiana only  about  the  beginning  of  April,  and  soon  pro- 
ceeds further  to  the  north  or  west,  though  it  is  rare 
in  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  and  unknown  entirely  in 
New  England.  In  the  spring  it  has  a  soft  and  mellow 
song,  but  so  feeble  as  to  be  audible  only  for  a  short  dis- 
tance. Its  nest  is  yet  unknown.  Although  it  dwells 
chiefly  in  high  forest  trees,  in  the  autumn  it  often  de- 
scends to  feed  on  the  berries  of  neighbouring  shrubs. 
It  possesses  in  some  degree  the  manners  of  the  Vireos, 
catching  insects  on  the  wing  with  a  slight  clicking  of 
the  bill,  and  in  the  same  manner,  at  times,  cautiously 
scanning  any  approaching  individual, 

The  length  is  IJ  inches  ;  and  the  alar  extent  8.  Above  pale  green- 
ish blue,  brightest  on  the  front  and  forehead  ;  cheeks  slightly  tinged 
with  greenish ;  tail  forked,  edged  with  greenish.  Bill  and  legs  light 
blue  ;  the  upper  mandible  dark  brown.  Audubon's  specimen  ap- 
pears cinereous  blue,  beneath  white,  with  the  tail  nearly  even  and 
dusky  ;  primaries  edged  for  a  distance  below  the  coverta  with  pale 
blue. 


PRAIRIE  WARBLER. 


Orn.   Biog.  i.  p,  76. 
1.    Pliil.  Museum,  No. 


{Sylvia  discolor,  Vieill.  Audubon,  pi.  11. 
5.  minuta,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  87.  pi.  25.  fig. 
778i.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Yellow-olive,  spotted  on  the  back  with  bay ;  be- 
neath yellow,  spotted  at  the  sides  with  black ;  wings  with  2  ? 
yellow  bars,  and  with  the  tail  dusky  ;  3  lateral  tail-feathers  broad- 
ly spotted  with  white.  —  Male  with  a  black  crescent  under  the 
eye.  —  Female  less  spotted,  and  without  the  crescent. 


IRD8. 

known  to  natural- 
»ril,  by  Wilson,  on 
Ls  actively  gleaning 
d(  the  tallest  trees, 
s.  Its  note  was  a 
1  it  appears  in  Lou- 
pril,  and  soon  pro- 

though  it  is  rare 
known  entirely  in 
a  soft  and  mellow 
ily  for  a  short  dis- 
Uthough  it  dwells 
utumn  it  often  de- 
ighbouring  shrubs, 
lers  of  the  Vireos, 

slight  clicking  of 
t  times,  cautiously 


t  8.  Above  pale  green- 
cheeks  slightly  tinged 
3h.  Bill  and  legs  light 
dubon's  specimen  ap- 
e  tail  nearly  even  and 
■  the  coverts  with  pale 


Orn.   Biog.  i.  p,  76. 
1.    Phil.  Museum,  No. 

le  back  with  bay ;  be- 
black  ;  wings  with  2? 
!ral  tail-feathers  broad- 
ck  crescent  under  the 
le  crescent. 


PRAIRIE  WARBLER. 


395 


This  species,  rare  in  the  Atlantic  states,  appears  to  be 
somewhat  more  common  in   the  solitary  barrens  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  the  open  woods  of  the  Choctaw  country  ;  here 
they  prefer  the  open  plains  thinly  covered   with  trees  ; 
and  without  betraying  alarm  at  the  visits  of  a  spectator, 
leisurely   pursue  their   search  for   caterpillars  and   small 
flies,  examining   among  the  leaves  or    hopping  among 
the  branches,  and,  at  times  descending  pretty  near,   and 
familiarly  examining  the  observer,  with  a  confidence  and 
curiosity  seldom  witnessed  in  these  shy  and  retiring  spe- 
cies.     Such  was  the  conduct  of  a  male   bird  in  this  vi- 
cinity, on  the  4th  of  June,   whom  I  discovered  by  his 
slender  filing  notes,  which  were  uttered   every  half  min- 
ute, and  like  those  of  the  Black  Poll  Warbler,  resembled 
the  suppressed  syllables  'tsh  'tsh  'tsh  'tshea',  beginning  low 
and  gradually  growing  louder,  having  nearly  the  same  slen- 
der  whistle  as  that  species,  though  somewhat  stronger. 
The  pair  \ -ere  busily  engaged  collecting  flies  and  larvs 
from  a  clump  of  young  locust  trees,  in  the  woods  of  Mount 
Auburn,  and  occasionally  they  flitted  among  the  Virgini- 
an junipers ;  the  familiar  visit  of  the  male  appeared   for 
the  purpose  of  discovering  my  intentions  near  the  nest, 
about  which  he  was  naturally  solicitous,  though  he  made 
his  approaches  with  the   appearance  of  accident.     The 
female    was  more  timid  ;    yet,  while  I  was  still  engaged 
in  viewing  this    little    interesting    and    secluded   pair, 
she,  without  any  precaution  or  concealment,  went  directly 
to  the  aest,  in  the  forks  of  a  low  barberry  bush,  near  by, 
and  when  there,  she  sat  and  looked  at  me  some  time  be- 
fore she  removed.     She  made,  however,  no  pretences  to 
draw  me  away  from   the  spot,   where  she  was  sitting  on 
4  eggs,  of  which  I   took  away  2 ;  her  approaches  to  the 
nest  were  now  more  cautious,  and  she  came   escorted 
and  encouraged  by  the  presence  of  her  mate.     Two  eggs 


if 


806 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


were  ngain  soon  added,  and  the   young  brood,  I  believe, 
reared  without  any  accident. 

The  nest  wns  scarcely  distinguishable  from  that  of  the 
Summer  Yellow  Bird,  being  fixed   in  a  trifid  branch  (not 
pensile),   and   formed  of  strips  of  inner  red-cedar   bark 
and  A.irlrpins  fibres,  also  with  some  caterpillars'  silk,  and 
thickly  lined  with  cud-weed  down  {(iniiphaliitm  planta- 
gincum)  and  slender  tops  of  bent-grass  (yl^f/-os//s  —  sp.) 
The  eggs,  4  or    5,  were  white,  rather  sharp  at  the  lesser 
end,  marked  with  spots  of  lilac-purple,  and  others  of  two 
different  shades  of   brown  ratlier  numerous   at  the   great 
end,  where  they  appear  almost   collected  together   into  a 
circle.     The  nest,  according  to   Audubon,   like  that  of 
the  Vireos,  is  pendulous  from  two  twigs,  or  3  or  4  blades 
of  grass,  and  is  coated  externally  with  grey  lichens.  The 
great  diflerence  in  the   nest,   described    by  Wilson   and 
Audubon,   is   to  me   unaccountable  ;  my  opportunity  for 
examination,  so  long  continued,   seemed  to  preclude  the 
possibility  of  error   in  the  investigation  ;    neither  can   I 
compare  the  slender  note  of  thia  species  to  any   whirring 
sound,   which    would  more   nearly  .ipproach  to  the  song 
of  the  Pine  Warbler.     They  visit  this  part  of  Massachu- 
setts about  the  first  or   second   week  in   May,  and,   ac- 
cording to  the  observations  of  my  friend  Mr.  Cooper,  are 
seen  probably  about  the  same  time  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
York,  in  small  numbers,  and  in  pairs,  and  retire  to  winter 
in  the  West  Indies,  about  the  middle  of  September. 

The  Prairie  Warbler  is  about  5  inches  in  length,  and  7  in  alar  ex- 
tent. Above  yellow-olive,  inclining  to  green,  and  onaiderably 
brighter  on  the  crown  ;  a  few  i)ale  bay  spots  mingled  with  the  olive 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  back.  From  the  nostrils,  over  and  under 
the  eye,  yellow.  Lores  black.  Below  rich  yellow  ;  vent  pale  yel- 
low. Wings  dusky  ;  coverts  edged  and  tipt  with  pale  yellow  ;  quills 
and  dusky  tail  edged  with  yellow  olive. 


nwawiiiniaiM 


mms 


tsmmm 


imimmmBU&^i:mi: itm 


brood,  I  believe, 

e  from  that  of  the 
trifid  branch  (not 
ir  rcd-ccd.ar   bark 
erpiilara'  silk,  and 
iipltaliitm  planta- 
1  {Af>:rostis  —  sp.) 
hiirp  at  the  lesser 
and  others  of  two 
rous   at  the   great 
m1  together   into  a 
bon,   like   that  of 
s,  or  3  or  4  blades 
grey  lichens.  The 
:d    by  Wilson   and 
my  opportunity  for 
h\  to  preclude  the 
I) ;    neither  can   I 
!s  to  any   whirring 
iroach  to  the  song 
part  of  Massachu- 
iu   May,   and,   ac- 
id Mr.  Cooper,  are 
he  vicinity  of  New 
md  retire  to  winter 
of  September. 

iiglli,  and  7  in  alar  e.x- 
^eu,  and  c.msiderably 
mingled  with  tlie  olive 
strils,  over  and  under 
ellow  ;  vent  pale  yel- 
ith  pale  yellow  ;  quilla 


PARTICOLORED  WARBLER,  OR  FINCH   CREEPER.       397 

PARTICOLORED  WARBLER,  or  FINCH 
CREEPER. 

(Sylvia  amtricana,  Lath.  Aitdubon,  pi.  13.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  78. 
S.  pusilla,  Wilson,  iv.  p.  17.  pi.  28.  fig.  3.  Phil.  Museum,  No. 
6910.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Dusky  blue  ;  interscapular  region  brownish  yel- 
low olive;  throat  and  lower  mandible  yellow;  belly  white; 
wings  with  2  white  bars  ;  lateral  tail-feathers  marked  interiorly 
with  white.  — JIfa/e  with  a  black  crescent,  and  with  the  breast 
tinged  with,  orange.  —  Female  without  the  crescent  and  orange 
color  on  the  breast.  —  Young,  brownish-grey  ;  beneath  muddy 
white.  ^ 

This  remarkable  species  visits  the  Middle  and  North- 
ern States  about  the  1st  to  the  15th  of  May,  and  is  seen 
again  early  in  October  on  its  way  to  the  West  Indies 
(St.  Domingo  and  Porto  Rico),  whither  it  retires  at  the 
approach  of  winter.  A  few,  according  to  Catesby,  pass 
the  whole  year  in  South  Carolina.  It  is  very  abundant 
in  the  summer  in  the  woods  of  Kentucky  ;  is  active  and 
restless  on  its  first  arrival,  and  frequents  the  summits  of 
the  highest  trees,  being  particularly  fond  of  the  small  cat- 
erpillars and  flies  of  various  kinds,  which  are,  in  the  early 
part  of  spring,  attracted  to  the  opening  blossoms  and 
tender  shoots.  It  also  possesses  in  some  degree  the 
creeping  and  prying  habits  of  the  Titmouse,  to  which 
genus  it  was  referred  by  Linna3us  and  Pennant ;  it  is 
however,  a  true  Sylvia.  Entering  the  southern  extremi- 
ty of  the  Union  by  the  first  approach  of  spring,  it  is  now 
seen  searching  for  its  insect  food  on  shrubs  and  plants  in 
moist  places,  by  the  borders  of  lakes  and  streams.  In 
this  vicinity  it  is  not  common  ;  but  as  it  was  singing  as 
late  as  the  22d  of  May,  in  the  woody  solitudes  of  the 
Blue  Hills  of  Milton,  it  must  undoubtedly  breed  there. 
The  nest,  according  to  Audubon,  is  placed  in  the  fork  of 
34 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 

a  small  twig  towards  the  extremity  of  the  branches,  and 
is  formed  of  lichens  and  other  materials,  and  lined  with 
downy  substances.  The  eggs,  about  4,  are  white,  with  a 
few  reddish  dots  at  the  larger  end.  The  notes  of  this 
species  resemble  those  of  the  Prairie  Warbler  in  some 
respects,  though  sufficiently  different ;  the  tones  rising 
from  low  to  high  are  rather  weak  and  insignificant. 

This  bird  18  from  4^  to  5  inclies  long,  and  04  to  7  in  alar  extent. 
Above  palo  or  dusky  blue  ;  the  head  brightest.  AVings  and  tail 
black,  the  former  crossed  with  2  conspicuous  white  bars  and  edged 
with  blue.  Between  the  bill  and  eyes  black;  above  aid  below  the 
eye  a  snvill  touch  of  white.  The  upper  mandible  black  ;  the  lower 
as  well  as  the  throat  and  breast  bright  yellow ;  the  latter  deepening 
about  its  middle  into  a  brownish  orange,  and  marked  on  the  throat 
with  a  small  crescent  of  blackish  or  dusky.  On  the  edge  of  the 
breast,  below  the  shoulder,  is  a  cloud  of  bay.  Belly  and  vent  white. 
Legs  and  feet  dull  yellow. 


BLACK-THROATED  BLUE  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  canadensis.  Lath.  Wilson,  ii.  p    115.  pi.  15.  fig.  7.    PhiL 

Museum,  No.  7222.) 
Sp.   Charact.  —  Slate  blue ;    beneath   white ;    cheeks  and  throat 

black ;    a  white  spot  on  the  wings ;   2  or  3  lateral  tail-feathers 

with  white  on  the  inner  veb. 

Of  this  uncommon  species  we  know  very  little.  It 
appears  only  as  a  transient  visitor  in  the  month  of  April, 
in  the  Middle  States,  and,  after  staying  to  feed  for  a  week 
or  ten  days,  it  proceeds  to  its  northern  breeding-place  in 
the  wilds  of  Canada,  of  which  we  are  wholly  ignorant. 
In  November,  I  have  observed  a  few  on  their  return  to 
the  South,  and,  according  to  Vieillot,  they  winter  in  St. 
Domingo,  and  other  of  the  larger  West  India  islands. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  about  5  inches  ;  and  7J  in  alar  dimen- 
sions. Above  wholly  of  a  fine  slate  color,  inclining  to  aiure  ;  the  throat, 
cheeks,  and  upper  port  of  the  breast,  and  sides  under  the  wings,  are 


he  branches,  and 
s,  and  lined  with 
are  white,  with  a 
rhc  notes  of  this 
Warbler  in  some 
the  tones  rising 
nsignificant. 

i  to  7  in  alar  extent. 
;8t.  M'ingB  and  tail 
white  bars  and  edged 
above  aud  below  the 
ible  black  ;  the  lower 
the  latter  deepening 
narked  on  the  throat 
On  the  edge  of  tlie 
Jelly  and  vent  white. 


V^ARBLER. 

pi.  15.  fig.  7.    Phil. 

;  cheeks  and  throat 
i  lateral  tail-feathers 

w  very  little.  It 
le  month  of  April, 
to  feed  for  a  week 
breeding-place  in 
e  wholly  ignorant. 
)n  their  return  to 
they  winter  in  St. 
est  India  islands. 

;  and  7)^  in  alar  dimen- 
ng  to  azure  ;  the  throat, 
s  under  the  wings,  are 


KENTUCKY  WARBLEK. 


390 


deep  black  ;  the  winga  and  toil  dusky  black  ;  the  primaries  marked 
with  a  spot  of  white,  and  edged  witii  olive  green.  Tail  wedge-Hlwpcd, 
edged  with  dusky  blue,  the  featherx  pointed  ;  2  and  sometimes  3  of 
the  external  ones  with  a  Icrge  wiiite  spot.  Belly  and  vent  white. 
Legs  and  feet  dusky  yellow.  Bill  black.—  The  black  of  ihf female 
inclined  to  dutiky  ash,  or  wanting.  —  The  blue  feathers  of  the  hind 
part  of  tlie  liead  and  back,  as  well  as  the  dark  ones  on  the  flanks, 
are  edged  with  bright  olive  green ;  perhaps  a  mark  of  the  young 
bird. 


CONNECTICUT  WARBLER. 

(Sylcia  agit's,  Wilso.n,  v.  p.  M.  pi.  30.  fig  4.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  Bright  yellow-olive  ;  beneatii  yellow  ;  throat  pale 
asli ;  wings  dusky.  —  Fcnude,  witli  the  throat  pale  buff. 

This  very  rare  bird  is  a  spring  visitor  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, New  York,  and  New  England.  It  appears  to  fre- 
quent low  thickets,  and  is  exceedingly  active  in  pursuit 
of  its  prey,  scarcely  remaining  a  moment  in  the  same 
place.     It  probably  winters  in  tropical  America. 

Lengtli  5}  inches;  alar  extent  8.  Aliove  rich  yellow-olive, nearly 
green;  wings  dusky-brown,  edged  witli  olive.  Throat  dirty-white 
or  pale  asli ;  upper  part  of  the  breast  dull  greenish-yellow ;  below 
pure  yellow.  Round  the  eye  a  narrow  ring  of  yellowish-white. 
Bill,  upper  mandible  pale  brown  ;  the  lower  whitisli.  Iris  hazel. 
Legs  lung  and  slender,  pale  flesh-color. 


KENTUCKY  WARBLER. 

{Hijhiaformom,  Wilso.-j,  iii.  p.  85.  pi.  2>.  fig.  3.     Audlbo.n,  pi.  3d. 
Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  19B. 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Deep  olive-green  ;  beneath  and  line  over  the  eye 
golden  yellow  ;  crown  black,  spotted  behind  with  pale  ash ;  lores 
and  space  curving  down  the  neck,  black. —  Female  without  the 
black  under  the  eye,  and  nearly  destitute  of  it  on  the  crown,  and 
with  the  sides  imder  the  wings  pale  green. 

This  beautiful  species,  first  described  by  Wilson,  fre- 
quents the  dark  forests  of  the  southwestern  parts  of  the 
Union,  being  particularly   abundant   in   Louisiana,  and 


400 


INSECTIVOROUS   BIRDS. 


not  uncommon  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  and  from 
thence  inhabiting  throughout  tlie  country  to  the  estuaries 
of  the  Mississippi.  It  frequents  low,  damp  woods,  and 
the  desolate  borders  of  the  lagoons,  cane-brakes,  and 
swamps,  near  the  banks  of  the  great  rivers.  It  arrives 
in  Kentucky  about  the  middle  of  April,  but  enters  the 
southern  extremity  of  the  Union  from  Mexico  by  the 
same  time  in  March,  and  by  the.  middle  of  September 
retires  south  of  the  United  States.  The  males  are  very 
pugnacious  in  the  pairing  season  of  spring,  and  utter 
some  loud  notes,  in  threes,  resembling  the  sound  of 
'twcedlr.  tweedh  tweedle.  They  attach  the  nest  often 
to  stems  of  stout  weeds,  or  place  it  in  a  tuft  of  grass.  It 
is  made  of  the  dry  bark  of  herbaceous  plants,  mixed  with 
downy  substances,  and  lined  with  the  cotton  of  the  seed 
of  the  wild  poplar.  The  eggs,  4  to  6,  are  pure  white, 
and  sprinkled  with  specks  of  reddisii.  The  female  begins 
to  sit  early  in  May,  and  they  have  usually  two  broods  in 
the  season.  They  now  associate  in  families,  and  live  in 
the  greatest  harmony.  The  species  is  scarcely  knov/n 
to  the  east  of  North  Carolina. 

This  Warbler  is  54  inches  long,  and  8  in  alar  extent.  Above  deep 
green,  tinged  with  olive,  darkest  on  the  upper  part  of  the  back.  Tail 
nearly  even,  rich  olive-green.  Legs  whitish  flesh-color.  Upper 
mandible  blackish,  the  lower  flesh-color. 


\1. 


nettsec,  and  from 
ry  to  the  estuaries 
damp  woods,  and 
cane-brakes,  and 
rivers.  It  arrives 
rii,  but  enters  t)ie 
1  Mexico  by  the 
Jlc  of  September 
e  males  are  very 
spring,  and  utter 
ig  the  sound  of 
1  the  nest  oi^en 
tuft  of  grass.  It 
huit.s,  mixed  with 
otton  of  the  seed 
,  arc  pure  white, 
Mie  female  begins 
illy  two  broods  in 
nilies,  and  live  in 
I  scarcely  knov/n 

Bxtent.     Above  deep 

irt  of  tlie  back.    Tail 

flesh-color.    Upper 


MARYLAND  YELLOW-THROAT. 

(Sylvia  trichas,  Lath.  Auiiubon,  pi.  23.  Orn.  Biog.  i,  p.  121  S.  ma- 
njlandiea,  Wilson,  i.  p.  88.  pi.  (i.  fig.  1.  [male.]  and  ii.  p.  163.  pi. 
18.  fig.  4.  [female.]     Phil.  Museum,  No.  7282.) 

Sp.  CiiARACT.  —  Yellow-olive;  beneath  yellow;  front  and  wide 
patch  through  the  eye  black,  bounded  above  by  whitish-grey ; 
tail  cuneiform.  —  Female  without  black  on  the  face,  and  beneath 
dull  yellow. 

Tnis  common  and  familiar  species  extends  its  summer 
migrations  from  Florida  to  Nova  Scotia,  arriving  in  Penn- 
sylvania towards  the  middle  of  April,  and  in  this  part  of 
New  England  about  the  first  week  in  M.iy.  They  return 
to  the  south  in  September  ;  a  few  stragglers  of  tlie  young, 
however,  may  be  seen  to  the  first  week  of  October,  and 
though  some  may  remain  and  winter  in  the  Southern 
States,  it  is  more  probable  that  the  main  body  retire  at 
this  season  into  the  interior  of  tropical  America  ;  as  they 
were  seen  late  in  autumn,  around  Vera  Cruz,  by  the  nat- 
uralist and  traveller  Mr.  Bullock.  Early  in  the  month 
of  March,  however,  I  heard  this  species  singing  in  the 
forests  of  West  Florida. 
34* 


46B 


INBECTIVOROUH   HIR08. 


The  Marylnnd  Yellow-Thront,  with  cheerful  devoted- 
ness  to   the  great  object  of  his  «uinmcr  migration,   the 
attachments  and   cares  of  his  species,   passes  his   time 
near   some  shady  rill  of  wntcr,  amidst  briars,  brambtos, 
alders,  and  such  other  shrubbery  as  grow  in  low  niul  wa- 
tery situiitions.     Unambitious  to  be?  seen,  he  seldom   as- 
cends above  the  tops  of  the  underwci  'd,  where  he  dwells 
busily  employed   in  collecting   the    ii  ^octs  on  which   ho 
feeds.     After   these,   like   the  Wren,    he   darts  into   the 
deepest  thicket,   and   threads   his  devious   way  through 
every  opening  ;  he  searches  around  the   stems,  examines 
beneath  the  leaves,  and  raising  himself  on  his  peculiarly 
pale  and  slender   legs,  peeps  into  each   crevice  in  order 
to  seize   by   surprise   his  tiny   lurking  proy.     While  thu.i 
engaged,  his  affection   to  his  noighbouring   mate  is   not 
forgotten,   and  with  a  simplicity,   agre(!iible  and  charac- 
teristic, he  twitters  forth,  at  shr)rt  intervals,  bis  'whitiletce. 
'whititftee.   'whititctee,    but   his    more    cotnmon    song   is 
'ichittits/iee  'whittitshee,  or  'wetitshee  'toititshee  wee  ;  and 
sometimes  I  have  heard  his  note  like,  'wilit'ihre  wrlit  shee, 
'wit'yii  we.    On  this  last  syllable  a  plaintive  t,  iking  of  the 
voice  renders  the  lively,  earnest  ditty  of  the  active  minstrel 
peculiarly  agreeable.    Copying  apparently  from  tha  Cardi- 
nal Bird,  the  song  was,  in  one  instance,  which  came  to  my 
notice, '?n7i^M  'vitiyu  'vitiyu.    The  whole  is  likewise  often 
varied  and  lowered  into  a  slender  whisper,  or  tender  reve- 
rie of  vocal  instinct.  Sometimes  he  calls  out,  teetshoo,  teet- 
shoo,  and  scwaidedit  sewnidedit  scwaiditsewee,  or  srtcaidt- 
dit  scwaiditsiwcf,  as  he   busily  darts  through  the  bloom- 
ing and  odor-breathing  shrubs  of  the  grove  or  garden, 
which  he  examines  with  minute  attention,  and  sometimes 
springs  perpendicularly  after  his  retreatijg  and  discovered 
prey.     He   appears   by  no  means  shy  or  suspicious,  as 
long  as  his  nest  is  unapproached  ;   but  for  the  safety  of 


heerful  devoted- 
r  migration,   the 
paBHct)  his  timo 
briarH,  brainbloH, 
i  ill  low  and  wa- 
1,   ho  Hcldoin   U8- 
wiiere  he  dwells 
it8  on  which   he 
I!  darts  into  the 
>U8   way  through 
stems,  examines 
on  his  peculiarly 
crevice  in  order 
rey.     While  thu.i 
ing   mate  is   not 
able  and  charac- 
ils,  his  'whititctee. 
;ommon    song    is 
litslii'c  wee  ;  and 
titahrt  wrtit  shee, 
i\(.  ::,  -.king  of  the 
le  active  minstrel 
ly  from  tha  Cardi- 
^hicli  came  to  my 
;  is  likewise  often 
If,  or  tender  reve- 
out,  tectshoo,  teet- 
'sewee,  or  Dewaidi- 
rough  the  bloom- 
grove  or  garden, 
n,  and  sometimes 
ig  and  discovered 
or  suspicious,  as 
,  for  the  safety  of 


MARVLANn  YELLOW-THHOAT. 


4oe 


that  precious  treasure,  he  scolds,  laments,  and  intrentB 
with  great  anxiety.  The  species  generally  nest  in  the 
recluse  thickets  of  the  forest,  or  the  low  bushy  meadow, 
but  sometimes  they  take  up  their  abode  in  the  garden, 
or  the  field  contiguous  to  the  house  ;  and,  if  luuiislurb- 
ed,  show  a  predilection  for  the  place  which  has  aH'orded 
security  to  themselves  and  their  young.  They  commence 
their  lai)or  of  building  ahoul  the  middle  of  May,  fixing 
the  nest  on  or  near  the  ground,  among  dry  leaves,  with- 
ered grass,  or  brush,  and  choose  often  for  security  the 
most  intricate  thicket  of  briars,  so  that  the  nest  is  often 
sheltered  and  concealed  by  projecting  weeds  and  grass. 
Sometimes  a  mere  tussuck  of  grass  or  accidental  pile  of 
brush  is  chosen.  It  is  made  of  dry  sedge-grass  {(Jarfx), 
and  a  few  leaves  loosely  wound  together  and  supported 
by  the  weeds  or  twigs  where  its  rests  ;  the  lining  con- 
sists entirely  of  fine  bent-grass  (Affrostls). 

The  eggs,  about  •'*,  are  white,  inclined  to  flesh-color,  with 
touches,  specks,  and  small  spreading  blotches,  and  some- 
times witli  a  few  lines  of 'wo  or  three  shades  of  reddish 
brown,  chiefly  disposed  towards  the  greater  end.  I  have 
also  seen  the  eggs  a  whole  size  smaller,  pure  while,  with 
a  few  small  spots  only  at  the  greater  end.  This  is  perhaps 
the  egg  of  a  difleront,  but  allied  species.  The  young 
leave  the  nest,  here,  about  the  middle  of  June,  and  a 
second  brood  is  sometimes  raised  in  the  course  of  the 
season.  The  parents  and  young  now  rove  about  in  rest- 
less prying  troops,  and  take  to  the  most  secluded  bushy 
marshes,  where  they  pass  their  time,  in  comparatire 
security,  till  the  arrival  of  that  period  of  scarcity  which 
warns  them  to  depart.  As  early  as  the  close  of  July, 
the  lively  song  of  the  male  ceases  to  be  heard,  and  the 
whole  party  now  forage  in  silence. 


iicw 


.IP 


h        i 


4M 


INSECTIVOnoUH   IIIROI. 


Tttii  ipccici  ii  about  5  iiichM  in  Iviigtii,  and  (i^  toT  in  ulur  diiiien- 
■loM.  Above  yellow-olive,  inclinini;  to  cinereoui  on  tli«  cruwn. 
Throat,  breiut,  iind  vent  yellow,  I'niriti-r  on  the  hrlly.  Wlrijj!*,  niid 
nnxpotted,  we(lgr-H}iA\n'A  tnil,  diiHky  lirnwri ;  tlif  (|uillH  ofholh  rilj^ed 
with  yellow  olive.  Kill  liliick  iihove,  pnler  heiienlh.  Lrgt  [inle  tUah- 
color  and  reiiinrkalily  delioute.  IriH  dnrk  hazel.  —  Hoiiietlmei  maU 
bird*  occiir  with  thu  |>al«  ((tny  line  over  tlie  eye  exalted  into  white 
M  ill  Hiill'on'x  tijjiire.  —  The  i/"»iii'>  at  tir»t,  reHenilile  lliB  feninle, 
but  the  mule  of  the  HciiMon,  liefore  Iiih  depnrturn  in  •lutuinri,  exhibits 
the  hrilliiint  yellow  throat,  iii»  well  ag  Moine  appearance  of  the  grey 
and  blank,  whirh  ornament  the  aideaof  the  face  in  the  adult. 


MOURNING  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia phUailflp/iia,  Wii.so.i,  ii.  p.  101.  pi.  14.  fig.  (i.  [female.'] 

Sp.  Charact. —  Dark  greenioh-olive  ;  head  dark  grey  j  a  creHceut 
of  alternate  white  uud  binck  linen  on  the  hreutit;  belly  yellow; 
toil  cuneiform. 

Wilson,  the  discoverer  of  this  curious  species,  never 
met  with  more  than  a  single  individual,  which,  in  its 
habits  of  frc(iHenting  mtirsiiy  j,'round,  and  flitting  through 
low  bushes  in  quest  of  insects,  appears  very  similar  to 
the  preceding  species,  of  which  Prince  Bonaparte  con- 
jectures it  to  be  only  an  accidental  variety.  The  dis- 
coverer, however,  also  distinguished  it  more  importantly 
by  the  novelti/  of  its  sprightly  and  pleasant  warble  ;  we 
may  therefore  perhaps  consider  it  as  a  solitary  straggler 
from  the  main  body  in  the  western  regions  of  this  vast 
continent.  It  was  shot  in  the  early  part  of  June  near 
Philadelpiiia. 

On  the  20th  of  May  (1831)  I  saw,  as  I  believe,  the 
male  of  this  species  in  the  dark  shrubbery  of  the  Botanic 
Garden  (in  Cambridge.)  It  possessed  all  the  manners 
of  the  preceding  species,  was  equally  busy  in  search  of 
insects  in  the  low  bushes,  and,  at  little  intervals,  warbled 
out  some  very  pleasant  notes,  which,  though  they  resem- 


t 


OVRKr  WARBLBK. 


400 


(i^  to  7  in  ulur  diincn- 
eoiiH  on  tli«  crown. 
!•  Iu'lly.  Wiiijfs,  mill 
!•  i|ililN  of liiilli  filjfed 
Atli.  Lr|;»  pnlit  Hrah- 
I,  —  HninetiiiiPi  inaU 
y«  exalted  into  wliita 
rcHeriildi-  tliH  IViiiiilit, 
<  in  .iiitunin,  exhil)ita 
lenrance  of  the  grey 
in  the  ndiilt. 


R. 

I.  fi(f .  (i.  [female .'] 

'k  grey  ;  n  ureHcent 
'eaiit ;    belly  yellow  ; 

18  species,  never 
al,  which,  in  its 
il  flitting  through 
rs  very  similar  to 
e  Bonaparte  con- 
uricty.  The  dis- 
noro  iinportiintly 
sant  warble  ;  we 
solitary  straggler 
[ions  of  this  vast 
irt  of  June  near 

as  I  believe,  the 
y  of  the  Botanic 
ill  the  manners 
>usy  in  search  of 
itervals,  warbled 
»ugh  they  resem- 


ble«l  the  lively  chant  of  flic  Maryland  Yeilow-Throat, 
even  to  the  wvlifshrc,  yet  tlicx  worn  more  ngreeubly  va- 
ried, Bo  as  to  approach,  in  some  degree,  the  Nong  of  the 
Summer  Yellow-bird  {Sylvia  mtkui).  This  remarkable 
note,  indeed,  set  tiie  in  fpHst  of  the  bird,  winch  I  follow- 
ed for  some  time,  but,  al  last,  |)erceiving  himself  watch- 
ed, he  left  the  garden.  As  far  as  I  was  able  lo  observe 
this  individual,  he  was  above  of  a  dark  olive-green,  very 
cinereous  on  the  fore  part  of  the  head,  with  a  band  of 
black  through  the  eyes,  which  descended  from  the  sides 
of  the  neck  where  at  length  it  joined  with  a  crescent  of 
dusky  or  black  spots  upon  the  breast ;  the  throat  was 
yellow  and  the  under  parts  paler. 

TluH  (.pecieii,  if  Huch  it  iimy  be  connidered,  \a  5  inclien  long,  and  7 
in  alar  extent.  Above  deep  greenish  olive  ;  tips  of  the  wingM  and 
centre  of  the  tail-feathers  brownish.  Head  durk,  almost  sooty-grey. 
Crescent  of  the  hreost  formed  of  alternate  transverse  lines  »f  pure 
white,  and  deep  black  ;  below  yellow.  Legs  and  feet  (as  in  the  pre- 
ceding) pale  fle»h-colof.  Bill  dusky  above,  lighter  below.  Iria 
liazel. 


DUSKY  WARBLER. 

{Sylma  earhtmata,  Audubon,  pi.  GO.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  SOS.) 
Si».  Char  ACT— Crown  and  front  block;    above  dark  olive-green, 
spotted  with  black  ;  throat,  sides  of  the  neck,  and  line  over  the 
eye,  yellow  ;  below  yellowish  olive  and  darkly  spotted ;  two  light 
bands  on  the  wings. 

This  new  species  was  obtained  by  Audubon  near  the 
village  of  Henderson  in  Kentucky.  The  only  two  indi- 
viduals met  with  were  males,  not  yet  arrived  at  perfect 
plumage.  Their  actions  and  food  appeared  very  similar 
with  those  of  other  Warblers. 

Rump  yellowish  ;  tail  emarginate,  dusky.  A  white  band  on  the 
wing  formed  by  the  margins  of  the  upper  coverts,  also  a  yellowish 
one  below.     Bill  dusky.     Legs  flesh-colored.     Iris  hazel. 


ill 


406 


INSECTIVORODS  BIRDS. 


YELLOW  WREN,  or  WILLOW  WREN. 

(Sylvia  Trochilus,1. \TH.  ii.  \i.  512.    Temminck,  i.  p.  224.   (Ed.  2.) 
Yellow  Titmouse,  Catesby,  L.  p.  03.) 

Sp.  CiiARACT.  —  Pule  olive  ;  above  the  eye  a  line  of  dull  yellow  ;  be- 
low yellowish,  fading  to  white  Oii  the  belly  ;  wings  and  tail  grey- 
ish-brown, edged  with  olive;  the  tail  emarginate,  exceeding  the 
length  of  the  wings  12  lines;  2d  primary  the  length  of  the  (ith. 

Tuis  hardy  species,  more  rare  in  America,  inhabits 
also  every  part  of  Europe  from  Italy  to  Sweden.  From 
the  United  States,  at  the  approach  of  winter,  it  migrates 
to  Jamaica,  and  other  islands  of  the  West  Indies.  In 
the  month  of  October  they  visit  this  vicinity  on  their  way 
to  the  Soutli,  and  keep  bu-sily  but  silently  foraging  among 
the  low  bushes  of  the  gardens.  They  feed  upon  flies, 
gnats,  caterpillars,  and  various  larva;.  They  frequent  the 
tops  of  trees,  more  particularly  willows  and  aiders,  from 
whence  they  often  rise  singing.  The  notes,  though  rath- 
er low,  are  soft,  and  sweetly  varied,  and  in  Europe, 
where  they  breed,  continue  to  the  month  of  October.  It 
makes  its  nest  in  holes,  at  the  roots  of  trees,  among  moss 
and  leaves,  or  in  dry  banks,  and  arches  it  over  like  that 
of  the  European  Wren  ;  it  is  made  chiefly  of  moss,  lined 
with  wool  and  hair.  The  eggs  are  5  to  7,  of  a  reddish 
white,  with  largo  purplish-red  spots,  rather  numerous  at 
the  great  end.  According  to  Catesby  they  breed  in 
North  Carolina. 

Length  about  5  inches.  Irs  hazel.  Legs  yellowish-brown.  In 
the  femjile  the  lower  parta  are  of  a  paler  and  less  pure  yellow. 


PINE-SWAMP  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  sphagiiosa,   Bonap.     S.  pusilla,  Wilson,   v.   p.  100.  pi.  43. 

%  4.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  Deep  green  olive;    beneath  pale  ochreous  ;  wings 
with  a  triangular  spot  of  yellowish- white  ;  2  or  3  lateral  tail-feath- 


[RDS. 


LLOW  WREN. 

iiNCK,  i.  p.  224.  (Ed.  2.) 
V,  i.  p.  03.) 

i  a  line  of  dull  yellow  ;  be- 
belly  ;  wings  luid  tail  grey- 
Biiiarginate,  exceeding  the 
ry  the  length  of  the  (itli. 

in  America,  inhabits 
liy  to  Sweden.  From 
of  winter,  it  migrates 
the  West  Indies.  In 
s  vicinity  on  their  way 
lently  foraging  among 
They  feed  upon  flies, 
ae.  They  frequent  the 
Hows  and  alders,  from 
he  notes,  thougli  rath- 
ried,  and  in  Europe, 
nonth  of  October.     It 

of  trees,  among  moss 
rches  it  over  like  that 

chiefly  of  moss,  lined 
s  5  to  7,  of  a  reddish 
,  rather  numerous  .at 
itesby   they    breed   in 

Bgs  yellowish-brown.  In 
id  less  pure  yellow. 

IBLER. 

i'^iLsoN,   V.  p.  100.  pi.  43. 

ath  pale  ochreoua  ;  wings 
.e  ;  2  or  3  lateral  tail-feath- 


CKRHLEAN  WARllLER. 


407 


ers  with  a  whitish  spot  on  the  inner  vanes ;  2d  primary  much 
longer  than  the  6lli  ;  tail  wedge-shaped,  with  the  feathers 
pointed. 

Tin:  most  gloomy  pine  and  hemlock  swamps  of  the 
mountainous  regions  in  the  Middle  and  Northern  States 
are,  in  the  spring,  the  resort  of  this  species,  which, 
though  not  uncommon,  was  first  described  by  the  inde- 
fatigable Wilson.  Whether  they  breed  in  those  dark 
and  moss-grown  morasses  is  yet  unknown.  They  visit 
Pennsylvania  from  the  South  about  the  middle  of  May  ; 
and  arc  occasionally  seen  in  the  thick  woods  of  Massa- 
chuset«'<  in  the  month  of  October.  It  is  not  known  to 
have  any  note  or  song,  associates  with  other  species  of 
the  genus,  and  is  an  active  fly-catcher,  nimbly  darting 
through  the  branches  and  flirting  its  wings  as  it  collects 
its  prey. 

The  Pine-Swanip  Warbler  is  about  5  inches  in  length ;  alar  extent 
7J .  Above  a  rich  d.trk-green  olive,  with  sliglit  bluish  reflections  on 
the  edges  of  the  tail.  Wings  and  tail  dusky,  the  former  widely  edg- 
ed with  olive.  Immediately  below  the  primary  coverts  there  is  a  tri- 
angular spot  on  the  quills  of  a  yellowish-white  where  exposed,  but 
enlarging,  and  pure  white  below.  Tail  wedge-shaped,  the  feathers 
very  acute  ;  2  or  3  of  the  exterior  feathers  obscurely  spoC.-d  with 
whitish.  From  the  nostrils  over  the  eye  extends  a  whitish  line,  with 
a  touch  of  the  same  on  the  lower  eyelid  ;  lores  blackish.  Below  pale 
ochreous,  less  pure  on  the  throat,  and  inclined  to  brownish  on  the 
sides  beneath  the  wings.  Bill  black,  without  notch,  hetra  flesh- 
colored.  Iris  hazel.  — The  plumage  of  the  female  is  similar  to  that 
of  the  male. 


CERULEAN  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  azureu,  Stephens.  Audubon,  pi.  48.  S.  carulea,  Wiisotf 
ii.  p.  141.  pi.  17.  fig.  .5.  [male]  and  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.ii.  p.  27. 
pi.  11.  fig.  2  [female.]     Phil.  Museum,  No.  7309.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Verditer  blue ;  beneath  and  line  over  the  eye  wliite  • 
wings  with  2  white  bars,  and  with  the  tail  black ;  tail-feathers 
with  a  spot. 


ill 


408 


INSECTIVOnOUS  niRUS. 


This  very  delicately  colored  species  is  among  the 
rarest  summer  residents  of  the  Atlantic  states,  and  does 
not  probably  migrate  or  rather  stray  fartiier  north  than 
the  atatc  of  New  York.  In  the  Soutiiwestern  states, 
particularly  Tennessee  and  West  Florida,  it  is  one  of 
the  most  abundant  species  ;  it  is  also  found  in  the  West- 
ern wilderness  beyond  the  Mississippi.  Its  nest,  how- 
ever, and  manners  at  the  interesting  period  of  incuba- 
tion, are  unknown.  Ft  is  only  in  the  summer  that  it  ever 
ventures  into  the  Middle  States,  from  wliicli  it  retires 
almost  before  the  first  chills  of  autumn,  or  by  the  middle  of 
August.  It  frequents  the  borders  of  streams  and  marshes, 
and  possesses  many  of  the  habits  of  the  Flycatchers, 
warbling  also  at  times  in  an  under  tone  like  that  of  the 
following  species. 

Length  44  iiiclies  ;  alar  extent  74.  Al.nve  verditer  l)lue  (in  Audu- 
bon azure)  witli  a  few  streaks  of  black  on  the  upper  part  of  the  back. 
Wings  and  tail  black,  edged  with  pale  blue.  Tail  forked,  a  white 
spot  in  the  .">  lateral  featliers  on  each  side  ;  tlie  2  middle  more  slightly 
marked  with  the  same.  From  the  eye  backwards  a  line  of  dusky 
blue.     Bill  dusky  above,  light  blue  below.     Legs  and  feet  light  blue. 

Female,  with  the  sides  of  the  breast  spotted  or  streaked  with  dusky 

bluish. 

GREEN  BLACK-CAPT  WARBLER. 

{Sylvia  Wilsonii,  Bonap.     Muscicajia  pusiUa,  Wii.so.v,  iii.  p.  103.  pi. 

2(5.  fig.  4.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  7785.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  Olive-green  ;   crown  black  ;    front,  line  over  the 

eye,  and  all  beneath,  yellow  ;  tail  rounded.  —  Female  without  the 

black  crown,  and  dull  yellow  olive. 

This  rare  species  inhabits  the  swamps  of  the  Southern 
States,  and  is  occasionally  seen  in  the  lower  parts  of  the 
states  of  New  Jersey  and  Delaware.  It  keeps  mostly  in 
the  deepest  swampy  thickets,  and  has  a  sharp  scpieaking 
note  no  way  musical.  It  leaves  the  Southern  States  early 
in  October. 


-WW 


mw!" 


WORM-KATINO  WARBLER. 


409 


es  is  among  the 
c  states,  and  does 
artlier  north  than 
itliwestern  states, 
ida,  it  is  one  of 
mnd  in  the  West- 
i.  Its  nest,  liow- 
period  of  incuha- 
immcr  that  it  ever 
n  which  it  retires 
ir  by  the  middle  of 
ams  and  marshes, 
the  Flycatchers, 
R   like  that  of  the 

•rditer  blue  (in  Audu- 
pper  purl  of  the  back. 
Tail  forked,  a  white 
!  middle  more  slightly 
'iirds  a  line  of  dusky 
gs  and  tVet  light  blue, 
r  streaked  witli  dusky 


RBLER. 

Vii.soN,  iii.  p.  103.  pi. 
7785.) 

front,  line  over  the 
—  Female  without  the 

ps  of  the  Southern 
lower  parts  of  the 
It  keeps  mostly  in 
a  sharp  scpieaking 
Uhern  States  early 


Length  4i  inches ;  and  O^  in  niar  dimensions.  Belly  and  vent 
yellow,  tinged  with  olive.  Wings  and  tail  dusky-brown,  the  former 
very  short.     Legs  and  bill  flesh-colored.     Iris  hazel. 


Subgenus.  —  Dacnis. 

Hill  thick  at  base,  rounded,  quite  straight. 

These  are  very  active  birds  ;  creeping  and  hanging  by  tlie  claws, 
after  the  manner  of  the  Titmouse,  which  they  also  somewhat  resemble 
in  voice  and  action. 


WORM-EATING  WARBLER. 

{Sijiria  vermirnra.  Lath.  Wilson,  iii.  p.  74.  pi.  24.  fig.  4.     Dacnis 
rcrmivora,  AuI)UBO^f,  pi.  34.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  6848.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Dusky-olive;    head  striped  with  black  and  buff; 
beneath  dull  buff,  brighter  on  the  breast ;  bill  stout. 

Tni.s  species  arrives  in  Pennsylvania  about  the  middle 
of  May,  and  migrates  to  the  South  towards  the  close  of 
September  ;  they  were  seen  feeding  their  young,  in  that 
state,  about  the  25th  of  June,  by  Wilson,  so  that  some  pairs 
stay  and  breed  there.  They  are  very  active  and  inde- 
fatigable insect-hunters,  and  have  much  of  the  manners 
and  even  the  note  of  the  Marsh  Titmouse  or  Chicadec. 
About  the  4th  of  October,  I  have  seen  a  pjiir  of  these 
birds  roving  through  the  branches  of  trees  with  restless 
agility,  hanging  on  the  twigs  and  examining  the  trunks, 
in  quest,  probably,  of  spiders  and  other  lurking  and  dor- 
mant insects  and  their  larva).  One  of  them  likewise 
kept  up  a  constant  complaining  call,  like  the  sound  of 
tshc  <h  de. 

Length  5|  inches,  and  8  inches  in  alar  extent.  Above  dark  olive, 
except  the  quills  and  tail,  which  are  umber-brown.  Tail  scarcely  fork- 
ed. Head  buff,  marked  with  4  longitudinal  stripes  of  umber-brown. 
Breast  orange-buff,  mixed  witlr  dusky.  Vent  waved  with  dusky 
olive.  Bill  blackish  above,  below  flesh-colored.  Legs  pale  flesh- 
color.    Iris  hazel.  —  Female  nearly  similar  to  tlje  male. 

35 


iii| 


410 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIBD8. 


PROTIIONOTARY  WARBLER. 

{Sylvia  protonotarius,  Lath.  Wilson,  iii.  p.  72.  pi.  2-1.  fig. 3.  Dacnis 

protonoUrius,  .Vldubok,  pi.  3.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  7020.) 
Sp.  Charact.  — Yellow;    back   and   small    wing-coverts    yellow- 
olive  ;  winjrs  black  ;  rnmp  and  lail-coverts  greyish-blue ;    all  the 
tail-feathers,  except  the  2  middle  ones,  with  a  spot  of  white  on 
their  inner  vanes ;  tail  nearly  even ;  bill  short. 
This   beautiful  species   inhabits   the  Southern  States 
coininouly  in   suinincr,   being  plentiful  in  the  low,  dark, 
and  swampy  forests  of  the  Mississippi  near  New  Orleans, 
and  in  the   wilds  of  Florida.     In  these   solitary  retreats 
they  are  seen  nimbly  flitting  in  search  of  insects,  cater- 
pillars, and  larva),  and  every  now   and   then  utter  a   few 
creaking  notes,   scarcely    d<iserving  the  name  of  song. 
They  sometimes,  though  very  rarely,  proceed  as  far  north 
as  Pennsylvania. 

The  usual  length  of  this  species  is  ^  inches  ;  alar  stretch  Sk. 
Inner  vanes  of  the  quills  and  tail  black,  edged  with  pale  blue.  Vent 
white.  Bill  black,  rather  long  and  robust.  Legs  and  feet  leaden- 
grey.  Iris  hazel.  — In  the  female  the  yellow  and  blue  are  rather 
duller. 

BLUE-WINGED  YELLOW  WARBLER. 

[Sylvia  solUaria,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  109.  pi.  15.  fig.  4.     Dacms  solilaria, 

AuDOBON,  pi.  20.      Phil.  Museum,  No.  7307.) 
Sp.  Charact. —  Olive-green;    forehead  and  all   beneath  yellow; 
lores  black ;  wings  with  2  whitish  bands,  and  with  the  tail  grey- 
ish-blue ;  the  3  lateral  tail-feathers  witli  iheir  inner  vanes  almost 
wholly  white. 

AnouT  the  beginning  of  May  this  species  enters  Penn- 
sylvania from  the  South,  and  frequents  tiiicketa  and 
shrubberies  in  quest  of  the  usual  insect  food  of  its  tribe. 
At  the  approach  of  winter,  very  ditfercnt  from  the  Pine 
Warbler,  with  which  it  has  sometimes  been  confounded,  it 
retires  to  pass  the  winter  in  tropical  America,  having  been 


LER. 

pi.  24.  fig.  3.  Dacnit 
um,  No.  7020.) 
ng-coverts    yellow- 
•eyish-blup ;    all  the 
1  a  spot  of  white  on 

Southern  States 
n  the  low,  dark, 
ar  New  Orleans, 
solitary  retreats 
if  insects,  cater- 
ihcn  utter  a  few 
3  name  of  song, 
ceetl  as  far  north 


ea  ;  alar  stretch  SJ. 
I'ith  pale  blue.  Vent 
egs  and  feet  leaden- 
and  blue  are  rather 


ARBLER. 

4.  Dacnis  solitaria, 
Mo.  7307.) 

all  beneath  yellow ; 
id  with  the  tail  grey- 
ir  inner  vanes  almost 

>cies  enters  Penn- 
nts  thickets  and 
t  food  of  its  tribe, 
cnt  from  the  Pine 
een  confounded,  it 
erica,  having  been 


-T" 


OOLUFN-WINOED  WARBLER. 


411 


seen  around  Vera  Cruz  in  autumn  by  Mr.  Bullock.  On 
its  arrival  it  frequents  gardens,  orchards,  and  willow  trees, 
gleaning  among  the  blossoms,  but  at  length  withdraws 
into  tlic  .silent  woods  remote  from  the  haunts  of  men,  to 
pas.s  the  period  of  breeding  and  rearing  its  young  in 
more  security.  The  nest,  according  to  Wil.son,  is  placed 
in  a  thick  tuft  or  tussuck  of  long  grass,  occasionally 
sheltered  and  concealed  by  a  briar.  It  is  usually  built 
in  the  form  of  an  inverted  funnel,  the  bottom  thickly 
bedded  with  dry  leaves ;  the  sides  are  framed  of  the  dry 
bark  of  stout  plants,  and  the  interior  lined  with  slender 
dry  grass.  The  materials,  instead  of  the  usual  circular 
arrangement,  are  inclined,  or  shelve  downwards  on  all 
sides  from  the  top  to  the  bottom,  which  is  narrowed. 
The  eggs,  5,  are  pure  white,  with  a  few  pale  spots  of  red- 
dish near  the  greater  end  ;  the  young  are  hatched  by  the 
first  week  in  June. 

Length  SJ  inches  ;  alar  extent  74.  Vent  white.  Wings  and  tail 
deep  brown,  edged  with  pale  blue.  Bill  black  above,  lighter  below. 
Legs  pale  bluish.  Feet  dirty  yellow.  —  The  female  scarcely  differs 
from  the  mole, 

GOLDEN-WINGED  WARBLER. 

{Sylvia  chrysoptera,  Lath.  Wilson,  ii.  p.  113.  pi.  15.  fig.  6.  [male]. 
BoNAP.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  12.  pi.  1.  fig.  3.  [female].  Phil.  Museum. 
No.  7010.) 
Sp.  Char  act.  —  Dartbluish-grey  ;  crown  and  wing-coverts  golden- 
yellow  ;  beneath  while  ;  throat  and  band  through  the  eye  black. 
—  Female  olive  ;  front  and  wing-coverts  yellow  ;  breast,  and  over 
the  eye,  dusky. 

Tnis  scarce  species  appears  only  a  few  days  in  Penn- 
sylvania about  the  last  of  April  or  beginning  of  May. 
It  darts  actively  through  the  leafy  branches,  and  like  the 
Titmouse  examines  the  stems  for  insects,  and  often  walks 
with  the  head  downwards  ;   its  notes  and  actions  are  also 


413 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


a  good  deal  similar,  in  coininoii  with  tlio  Worm-eating 
Warbler.  I  have  never  yet  seen  it  in  MaHsachusctts,  and 
if  it  really  does  proceed  north  to  breed,  it  must  follow  a 
western  route. 

The  length  of  this  specieH  is  from  -lA  to  5  inches,  and  7  in  nlar 
e.xlent.  Tiic  ;i  lateral  tuil-lVuthers  with  a  spot  of  white  on  their  in- 
ner vanes.  Tail  a  little  forked.  The  black  band  throUf,'h  the  eye 
separated  from  tiie  yellow  crown  by  a  line  of  white.  JUU  bluck. 
Legs  dark  ash.     Iris  hazel. 

TENNESSEE  WARBLER. 

[Sylvia peregrina,\\iusou, in.  p.8^  pi. 25.  fig.2.  S.bicolor?Xtt.lLt. 

Phil.  Museum.  No.  7787.) 
Sp.  Charact.—  Vellow-olive,  hlnish  on   the  head;  line  over  the 

eye  j)ale  yellow  ;   beneath  whitish ;  wings  without  bands  ;  bill 

very  dhort 

This  rare  and  plain  species  was  discovered  by  Wilson 
on  the  banks  of  Cumberland  river  in  the  state  of  Ten- 
nessee. It  was  hunting  with  great  agility  among  the 
opening  leaves  in  spring,  and  like  the  rest  of  the  section 
to  which  it  appertains,  possesses  a  good  deal  of  the  hab- 
its of  the  Titmouse.  Its  notes  were  few  and  weak,  and 
its  food,  as  u.sual,  smooth  caterpillars  and  winged  insects. 

This  species  is  4|  inches  long  ;  and  8  in  ular  extent.  Wings  dusky, 
edged  with  olive.  Tail  forked,  oliv;',  relieved  with  dusky.  Throat 
and  breast  pale  oream-color ;  belly  and  vent  white.  Legs  purplish- 
brown.  Bill  dark  dusky,  somewhat  paler  below.  Iris  hazel,  —  In 
the  female  the  colors  are  more  obscure. 

NASHVILLE  WARBLER. 

(Sylvia  rubricapilta,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  120.  pi.  27.  fig.  3.     Audubon, 

pi.  Bit.    Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  430.    Phil.  Museum,  No.  778'.).) 
Sp.   Charact. —  Yellow-olive;  head  and   neck   ash,   inclining   to 

olive  ;  crown  deep  chesnut ;  beneath  greenish-yellow  ;  centre  of 

the  belly  nearly  white  ;  wings  without  bands. 


*f!!**'''f!1^'^t!^?l'!?^'f?^'^^f'P?^''^''l'^^^ 


'''<''SsWi«''%MW'^  vSJfoAjy* 


OIlANOE-cnoWNEn  WARBI.F.R. 


413 


ho   Worm-eating 

HHsachusetts,  and 

it  must  follow  a 

iches,  iirnl  7  in  nlar 
)f  wliite  on  tlicir  in- 
iiil  llirc>ui,'li  lhi>  vye 
(  white.     JUU  bluck. 


ail. 

I,  S,  bicolor  ?  ViEiLt. 

Iieud  ;  lint*  over  the 
withuut  builds  ;  bill 

ovcrcd  by  Wilson 
ho  state;  of  Tcn- 
igility  among  the 
rest  of  the  section 
I  deal  of  the  hab- 
;\v  and  weak,  and 
id  winged  insects. 

pxtent.  Wings  dusky, 
with  dusky.  Throat 
liite.  L«'gH  purplish- 
3\v.    Iris  huzel,  —  In 


ER. 

7.  fig.  3.  Audubon, 
lum,  No.  778'J.) 

ck  ash,  inclining  to 
lish-yellow  ;  centre  of 
is. 


This  rare  species  was  discovered  by  Wilson  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Nashville  in  Tennessee  ;  it  also  exists  in  the 
neighbouring  states  in  summer,  and  occasionally  pro- 
ceeds as  far  north  as  Philadelphia,  and  even  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Salem  in  this  state.  Its  discoverer  was  first 
attracted  to  it  by  the  singular  noise  which  it  made, 
resembling  the  breaking  of  small  dry  twigs,  or  the  strik- 
ing together  of  ])obl)les,  for  six  or  seven  times  in  succes- 
sion, and  loud  enough  to  be  heard  at  the  distance  of 
thirty  or  lorty  yards.  A  similar  sound,  produced,  no 
doubt,  by  the  smart  snapping  of  the  bill,  is  given  by  the 
Stone-chat  of  Europe,  which  hence  in  fact  derives  it  name. 
Audubon  says,  the  male,  while  standing  in  a  still  and 
erect  posture,  utters  a  few  low,  eagerly  repeated,  creak- 
ing notes.  This  species  has  all  the  active  habitLJ  of  the 
family  to  which  it  more  particularly  belongs. 

Its  length  was  44  inches  ;  alar  extent  7.  Wings  dusky,  edged 
with  olive  ;  tiie  primaries  with  yellow.  Tail  slightly  forked,  dark 
olive.  Legs  and  feet  yellow.  Bill  dusky  ash.  Iris  hazel. — Female, 
beneath  piilor,  mixed  with  grey,  and  without  the  chesnut  patch  oa 
the  head. 


ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER. 

{Sylvia  celntn.  Say.  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  45.  pi.  C.  fig.  2.     Phil, 
Museum,  No.  7013.) 

Sp.  Chahac  r.  —  Greenish-olive  ;    crown  with   a  fulvous  spot ;    be- 
neath olivi'-yellow  ;  vent  yellow  ;  wings  without  bands. 

This  species,  first  discovered  early  in  May,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Missouri,  by  my  friend,  Mr.  T.  Say,  appear- 
ed to  be  on  its  passage  further  north,  and  in  all  proba- 
bility seldom  penetrates  into  the  Atlantic  States.  It  is 
not  uncommon,  in  winter,  in  the  orange  groves  of  West 
Florida,  where  it  proceeds  to  pass  the  season,  around 
St.  Augustine  ;  and  i»s  note  is  described  as  a  mere  chirp 
and  faint  squeak,  scarcely  louder  than  that  of  a  mouse. 
35* 


lllf 


414 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


This  Hpecie«  iH  5  inohes  lonif,  and  7  in  aliir  iitrctoli.  Abovp  (lull 
greeuiHh-r)livp;  riuiipina  tnil-covtTt)*  brij,'lit  y.-llowolive.  Fciilliera 
ol'thf  heiid  rather  tiiick  and  oranjrp  at  Imse  -,  tliis  coli)r  only  vinlhlo 
wht-n  lilt'  IVatherH  are  elevatf.d.  Interior  tiiil-c-ovprls  pure  yellow. 
PrinmrieH  dark  brown  olive  on  the  edge*  .  tail-featherB  Himilar  to 
the  quillH,  edged  with  white  on  the  inner  vanes.  Hill  dark  horn-color. 
Legs  dusky.     Iris  dark  brown.  —  Female  nearly  siniilar. 


REGULUS.    (Crested  Wrens.) 

In  these  birds  the  bili-  is  short,  straight,  very  slender,  subulate, 
compressed  Iron,  the  base,  an.l  narrowed  in  the  n.id.lle,  lurnished 
with  bristles  at  the  base,  and  with  the  edges  soniewhat  bent  in  ;  the 
upper  mandible  is  slenderly  notched,  and  a  little  curved  at  the  tip. 
NosTK.i.sbaiial,  oval,  half  closed  by  a  membrane,  and  additionally 
covered  also  with  2  small  ;.r,.jerti-.ig,  rigid,  and. leconipound  feathers. 
Tongue  bristly  at  the  tip.  Tl...  irtv  slender;  tarsus  brnfjer  than 
the  middle  toe ;  lateral  toes  nearly  equal  with  each  other  ;  the  inner 
one  free  ;  the  hind  toe  stoutest,  and  furnishe.l  with  a  larger  and  thick- 
er m\\.—  m„irs  short,  rather  acute,  witii  the  spurious  leather  very 
Bhort ;  the  3d  and  4th  priujaries  longest ;  the  1st  and  7th  eipial. 
Tail  notched. 

The  fi.nale  differs  but  little  from  the  male ;  but  the  young  are 
considerably  duller  in  color.     They  moult  annually.      The  plumage 
long  and  somewhat  bristly  ;  the  head  is  ornamented  with  a  brilliant 
spot  on  the  crown.     These  are  among  the  smallest  of  birds  in  tern- 
perate  climates,  and  withstand  the  rigor  of  winter,  but  migrate,  as  it 
approaches,  to  more  temperate  countries.    In  summer  they  penetrate 
into  the  arctic  regions,  and  are  possessed  of  great  activity,  being  un- 
weaiiedly  diligent  in  pursuit  of  small  flying  insects,  and  in  collecting 
their  eggs  and  larva).  Like  the  Titmouse,  they  are  seen  vaulting  on 
the   extreme  twigs  of  trees,  and  prying  in  all  directions  for  their 
lurkin-r  prey.    The  negt  is  constructed  with  great  art,  and  affixed 
to  deirending  branches.    They  have   one  or  two  broods  in  the  sea- 
son; and  the  eggs  are  sometimes  as  many  as  12.  — They  inhabit 
the   north   of    both   continents,   migrating    indifferently   probably 
through  either,  and  are  intermediately  and  closely  allied  both  to 
Sylvia  and  I'arus. 


ii  w  mil  ijiniiti».gi.nti  11,1 .1  tif.p,  -' 


nUBV-CROWNED  WREN. 


ill 


trctcli.  Above  dull 
low-olive.  Feathers 
1h  color  only  viitiblw 
overtH  pure  yellow. 
l-l'i-atliiTH  Himilnr  to 
Hill  diitU  horn-color. 
Hiuiilur. 


IF.NS.) 

ry  Blonder,  siilinlnfp, 
he  middle,  lurniHlied 
inewhat  bent  in  ;  the 
,e  curved  at  the  tip. 
ine,  and  additionally 
I.T.  impound  IVather«. 
r ;  tarsus  lonjjer  thnii 
ach  other  ;  the  inner 
til  a  larger  and  thick- 
spuriouH  leather  very 
•  lat  and  7th  equal. 

e  ;  but  the  young  are 
aally.  The  plumage 
lented  with  a  brilliant 
Uesl  of  birds  in  tem- 
ler,  but  migrate,  as  it 
ammer  they  penetrate 
eat  activity,  being  un- 
ect»,  ond  in  collecting 
f  are  seen  vaulting  on 
,11  directions  for  their 

great  art,  and  adixed 
two  broods  in  the  sea- 
ts 12.  —  They  inhabit 
indifferently   probably 

closely  allied  both  to 


RUBY-CROWNED  WRKN. 

{Rtgulus  ealrnilulug,  Strphf.nii,  Bonap.  Sifhia  ealrmlula,  Wilsow,  i. 

p.  «3.  pi.   5.  fig.  3.    riiil.  Museum,  No.  7211.) 
Sp.  CiMnAcT.  -Olivaceous;    beneath  whitish  i    crown   vermilion, 
and  without  the  black  margin. 

This  beautiful  little  species  passes  the  .summer  and 
breediiif;  season  in  the  colder  parts  of  the  North-Ameri- 
can continent,  penetrating  even  to  the  dreary  coast.s  of 
Greenland,  wiiere,  as  well  as  around  Hudson's  Bay, 
they  prohahiy  rear  their  young  in  solitude,  and  obtain 
abundance!  of  the  diminutive  Hying  insects,  gnats,  and 
cynips,  on  wiiich,  with  small  caterpillars,  they  and  their 
young  delight  to  feed.  In  the  montiis  of  October  and 
November,  the  approach  of  winter  in  their  natal  regions 
stimulates  them  to  migrate  towards  the  South,  when 
they  arrive  in  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States,  and  fre- 
quent in  a  familiar  and  unsuspicious  manner  the  gardens 
and  orcliards :  how  far  they  proceed  to  the  south  is  un- 
certain. On  the  12th  of  Jantiary  I  observed  them  near 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  with  companic.->  of  Si/lrlas, 
busily  darting  through  the  evergreens  in  swampy  situa- 
tions, in  quest  of  food,  probably  minute  larva;.  About 
the  first  week  in  March  I  again  observed  them  in  West 
Florida  in  great  numbers,  busily  employed  for  hours  to- 
gether in  the  tallest  trees,  some  of  which  were  already 
unfolding  their  blossoms,  such  as  the  maples  and  oaks. 
About  the  beginning  of  April  they  are  seen  in  Pennsyl- 
vania on  their  way  to  the  dreary  limits  of  the  continent, 
where  they  probably  only  arrive  towards  the  close  of 
May,  so  that  in  the  extremity  of  their  range  they  do  not 
stay  more  than  three  months.  Wilson,  it  would  appear, 
sometimes  met  with  th^m  in  Pennsylvania  even  in  sum- 
mer ;  but,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  they   are  never  obscrv- 


416 


INSECTIVOROUS    UIRDS. 


e«l  in  Mnpsnchnsptts  nt  that  wrnson  ;  and  with  tlii-ir 
nest  iind  liahits  of  inciil)atioii  wo  nro  iiuaccinaintfd.  In  the 
fall  they  seek  society  apparently  with  the  Titniouso  and 
Goldon-Crnstcd  Wren,  with  wliom  they  are  iiitinuite- 
ly  related  in  hahits,  manners,  and  diet  ;  tlie  whole  form- 
ing a  hnsy,  silent,  roviiif;  company,  with  no  object  in 
view  hut  that  of  incessantly  gleaninj,'  their  now  scanty 
and  retirinti  prey.  So  eajforly,  Mideed,  are  they  eiiirjifjed 
at  this  lime,  that  scarcely  f-eliiiy:  sympathy  for  each  oth- 
er, or  willing  to  die  any  death  but  that  of  famine,  they 
continue  almost  uninterruptedly  to  bunt  through  the 
same  tree  from  which  their  unfortunate  companions  have 
just  fallen  by  the  destructive  gun.  They  only  make  at 
this  time,  occasionally,  a  feeble  chirp,  and  take  scarcely 
any  alarm,  however  near  they  are  observed. 

The  Kuby-crownocl  Wren  io  a  little  more  thiin  4  inolies  Inng,  and 
6  in  ulnr  e.xtcnt.  Above  (jrreen-olive.  Win|rs  and  tail  dusky  fjreyish- 
brown,  edged  with  olive-yellow  ;  secondaries  and  first  row  of  wiiig- 
coverts  edged  and  tipt  witli  whitiHli.  The  liind  head  ornamented 
with  a  vermilion  hpot ;  ronnd  the  eye  a  ring  of  yellowish-wliife. 
Beneath  yellowish-wliite.  Legs  and  feet  dusky  brown.  The  colors 
of  the  female  are  less  hvely. 


CUVIER'S  CRESTED  WREN. 

(Rtgulus  Cutierii,  Audubon,  pi.  55.    Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  288.) 
Sp.   Charact.  — Cinereous    olivaceous,     beneath    greyish-white; 
crown  vermilion,  anteriorly  margined  with  black  ;  cheeks  cine- 
reous, a  black  band  from  the  front,  tiirough  the  eyes. 
This  is   another  interesting    addition   to  the   North 
American  Fauna,  which  we  owe  to  the  talent  and  supe- 
rior devotion  to  ornithology  of  its  celebrated   discoverer. 
No  species  can  be  better  marked  or  more   strikingly  dis- 
tinguished.    It  has  the  ruby-crown  of  JR.  rnlendulus  with 
the  black  border  of  the  jR.  cristatus.  The  only  specimen 
yet  known  was  shot  by  its  describer,  on  the  8th  of  June, 


OOLDEN-CUKHTEO  WIIKN. 


417 


jiiid  witli  tlx'ir 
[lii.'iiiitrd.  Ill  the 
e  Titmouse  nnd 
^r  arc  iiitimato- 
the  wliolo  lorin- 
ih  iH)  ohjdct  in 
lieir  now  scanty 
ri!  tln-y  riiiT!iffoil 
liy  lor  each  olli- 
of  famine,  they 
int  througli  the 
:onipanions  have 
:>y  only  make  at 
11(1  take  scarcely 
cd. 

\  A  inclips  long,  nnd 
I  tail  dusky  ijrcyisli- 
1(1  first  row  nt'wiiijf- 
1  heud  ornniiu'iiled 
of  ycllowisli-wliite. 
brown.     The  colors 


lEN. 

Biog.  i.  p.  288.) 
iith    greyish-white  ; 
black  ;  cheeks  cine- 
le  eyes, 

n  to  the  North 
talent  and  supe- 
ated  discoverer. 
e  strikingly  dis- 
,  ralendulus  with 
le  only  specimen 
the  8th  of  June, 


on  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  not  far  from  I'hiludel- 
|)liia.  ItM  manners  appeared  Mimilui  to  those  of  the  pre- 
codinij  Hpecios. 

Leniflh  1^  iiichPH,  nlar  extent  «.  Front,  nnd  lino  Ihnnnrli  tin-  .-yo 
extending  tc  ih.-  liiick  ot'the  neck,  hhick.  Winffs  nnd  tail  dusky,  cd^fd 
with  yelliiwish-wiiite;  two  iiiirrow  sliiirt  bars  of  while  across  thti 
winj4»  ;  (I////.I  dusky.  Vent  yellowish- while,  Kegs  and  feet  yellowish- 
brown,  lii  black,  »lender,ttnd8ubulnle,  brighter  at  its  bn»e.  Iris 
hazel. 


GOLDEN-CRESTED  WREN. 

(Rcffulus  cristatiig,  Vikill.  Sylvia  rtguhis,  Wilson,  i.  p.  126.  pi.  8. 
fig.  2.  [male.]  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  22.  pi.  2.  fig.  •».  [female.] 
Phil.  Museum,  No.  72-J6.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  Olivaceous  ;  beneath  whitish,  tinged  with  rufous- 
olive  ;  crown  orange,  margined  with  black  ;  cheeks  pale  grey- 
ish ;  bill  subulate  and  slender  from  the  base.  —  Female  with  the 
crown  lemon-yellow. 

This  diminutive  bird,  if  indeed  the  .same  in  different 
countries,  is  found,  according  to  the  season,  not  only 
throughout  North  America,  but  even  in  the  West  Indies, 
and  almost  every  part  of  Europe.     A  second  species  with 


m 


jiii! 


416 


INHECTIVOkOCN   llini)H. 


a  Fiery  Crc8t(/f.  iffnii  (ii»illiis),  nni\  a  /A/V^/ indiiffiioiis  to 
Aniii,   ar«  very   nearly  related   to  the   present  ;    tlic   first 
having  been  generally  conroiiniled  with  it,  or  considered 
as  a  variety  of  the  sanie  species.     Learned  oriiilliDloijiNts 
have  referred  our  bird  without  hesitation   to  the   Fiery- 
crested    Wren,   witii    which,   however,  it  only  ajyrties  in 
the  brilliance  of  tho  crown  ;  and,  instead  of  being  less, 
is   indeed  larjjer  than    the  true  Golden-crested   species. 
Like   the  former,   they  appear  associated  only  in   pairs, 
and  are  seen  on  their  southern  route,  in  this  part  of  Mas- 
sacliusetts,  a  few  days  in  October,  and   about  the  middle 
of  the  month,  or  a  little  earlier  or  later  according   to  the 
setting  in  of  the  season,  as  they  appear  to   lly  before  the 
desolatinin  utorms  of  the  northern  rejrions  wliither  they  re- 
tire about  May  to  breed.    Some  of  these  birds  remain  in 
Pcnn.sylvania   until    December    or    January,   proceeding 
probably  but  little  farther  south  during  the  winter.  They 
are  not  known  to  reside  in   any  part  of  New  i'.ngland, 
retiring  pjrobably  to  the  same  remote  and  desolate  limits 
of  the  farthest  north  with  the  preceding  species,  of  which 
they  have  most  of  the  habits.    They  are  actively  engaged 
during  their  transient  visits  to  the  South  in  gleaning  up 
insects  and  their  lurking  larva;,  for  which  they  perambu- 
late the  branches  of  trees  of  various  kinds,   freipienting 
gardens   and  orchards,    and  skipping   and  vaulting   from 
the   twigs,   sometimes  head  downwards  like  the  Chica- 
dee,  with  whom  they  often   keep  company,  making  only 
now  and  then   a  f(!eble   chirp.     They  appear  at  this  time 
to   search  chiefly   after  spiders   and   dormant  concealed 
coleopterous  or  shelly  insects ;  they  are  also  said  to  feed 
on   small  lurries,  and  some  kinds  of  seeds,  which  they 
break  open    by  pecking  with  the    bill  in   the   manner   of 
the  Titmouse.     They  likewise  frequent  the  sheltered  ce- 
dar and  pine  woods,  in  which  they  probably  take  up  their 


IJ 


\ir(l  itKliifnions  to 
resent  ;    tlio   firnt 
it,  or   coiiKidercd 
led  oriiitliolo^iNti* 
ion   to  the   Fiery- 
it  only  njjrju's  in 
!nd  of  beini{  less, 
i-crested   species, 
ed  only  in   iiiiirs, 
i  this  part  of  Mus- 
aboiit  the  middle 
accordini?   to  the 
to  lly  bclorc  the 
8  whither  tliey  rc- 
4e  birds  remain  in 
luary,   proceeding 
the  winter.  They 
of  New   Kngland, 
lul  desolate  limits 
[  species,  of  which 
J  .ictivcly  engaged 
ith  in  gleaning  up 
ich  they  perambu- 
linds,   frecpienting 
imd  vaulting   from 
Is  like  the  Chica- 
lany,  making  only 
ippear  at  this  time 
ormant   concealed 
e  also  said  to  feed 
seeds,  which  they 
in   the   manner   of 
t  tlie  sheltered  ce- 
)ably  take  up  their 


<iOI,l)BN-rkK«Tf',n   WHEV. 


410 


roost  at  night.  Karly  in  Ai)ril  they  are  seen  on  their  re- 
turn to  the  north  in  Pennsylvania ;  at  this  time  they 
dart  among  the  blossoms  of  the  maple  and  elm  in  com- 
pany with  tlie  preceding  species,  and  appear  more  vola- 
tile and  actively  engaged  in  .leizing  small  flies  on  the 
wing,  and  collecting  minute,  lurking  caterpillars  from  the 
opening  leaves. 

In  llu!  aiiiiimn  they  succeed  so  well  in  obtaining  food  as 
to  become  very  fat,  and,  llioiigli  so  diminutive,  are  in 
some  parts  ol(iermany  caught  in  great  numbers,  exposed 
in  the  market  for  food,  and  among  epicures  command  a 
high  price. 

In  Kngliind  this  .species  abides  throughout  the  year  ; 
but  though  in  Scotland  liiey  breed  in  the  Orkneys,  at 
the  approach  of  winter  they  migrate  to  the  Shetland 
islands  over  sea,  a  distance  of  tit)  miles  ,  yet,  according 
to  Mr.  (I'^dman,  they  sustain  themselves  through  the 
winter  in  the  pine  forests  of  Sweden.  At  the  period  of 
breeding  they  are  said  to  sing  melodiously,  but  weaker 
than  the  connnon  Wren  ;  but  Manduyt,  in  the  Encyclo- 
pedic Alethodiciue,  assures  us  they  have  no  song,  merely 
a  feeble  screep  or  chirp,  the  note  attributed  to  it  being 
probably  that  of  the  true  Wren.  The  nest  is  built  usu- 
ally towards  the  extremities  of  the  I  >  ,  hes  f  the  pint 
and  fir,  being  of  a  spherical  form,  .Mtn  a  small  entry  at 
the  side  ;  it  is  externally  formei!  of  moss  and  lichen,  and 
lined  with  downy  substance.^,  and  liiaments,  believed  to 
be  cobwebs,  or  probably  silk  of  caterpillars  or  cocoons. 
The  eggs,  scarcely  largei  'ban  peas,  are  from  G  to  12, 
dusky  yellowish  white,  with  very  minute  points  or  red- 
dish spots,  scarcely  distinguishable  except  on  narrow  in- 
spection. Like  tlu  Titmouse,  for  some  time,  the  whole 
busy  family  hunt  in  company,  and  appear  very  lively, 
active,  and  amusing. 


tMitmSiiif 


420 


INSECTIVOROUS   BIRDS. 


The  American  Golden-creBted  Wren  is  from  4  to  44  inches  long 
the  female  '.\h  or  thereabouts.     Above  yellow-olive,  with  the  hind 
head  and  sides  of  the  neck  inclining  to  ash;   a  dull  wh.t.sh  hne, 
passing  round  the  frontlet,  extends  over  and  beyond  the  eye  on  eith- 
er side  ,  above  passes  a  broadish  stripe  of  deep  black  m  the  same 
manner ;  the  inner  webs  and  tips  of  the  interior  of  these  dark  feath- 
ers  are  of  a  briglit  lemon-yellow,  forming  a  line  of  that  color  and 
Uie  lowest  of  these  feathers  on  the  front  are  almost  wholly  of  the 
same  yellow  ;    the  inner  crown  then  presents  a  bed  of  rici,  flame 
color/ which  passes  over  the  top  of  the  head.     The  lateral  black 
and  particolored  feathers  are  much  the  longest,  and  the  two  tufts 
are  capable  of  widening  or  approaching,  so  as  at  will  either  to  .hsplay 
or  conceal  the  splendor  of  the  crown.     From  the  upper  mandible  to 
tlie  bottom  of  the  ear-feathers  runs  a  line  of  black,  accompanied  by 
another  which  is  whitish,  from  the  lower  mandible.     Beneath  grey- 
ish-white  inclining  to  yellow.    Wings  and  tail  dusky,  edged  with  yel- 
low-olive, edges  of  the  inner  vanes  of  the  former  whitish;    greater 
wing-coverts  dusky,  tipped  with  white,  and  edged  with  ohve,  form- 
inc  a  whitish  bar  on  the  wing ;  another  smaller  bar  appears  also  near 
the   shoulder,  formed  by  the  tips  of  the  upper  coverts;    immedi- 
ately below  the  greater  white  bar  there  is  a  large  <huk  spot  on  the 
secondaries,  below  which  the  same  feathers  continue   to  be  edged 
with  olive.     Tail  rather  long  and  forked.     Legs  brownish-yellow, 
feet  and  claws  yellow.     Bill  black  and  slender,  widish  and  depress- 
ed at  the  base.  The  nostrils,  as  usual,  covered  each  by  a  decompound, 
recumbent  feather.  -  The /c7«a/«  is  much  more,   dusky,  and   dull 
whitish  beneath.     As  tlie  American  bird  is  probably  a  distinct  spe- 
cies,  we  propose  to  distinguish  it  as  follows  : 


\ 


AMERICAN  FIERY-CROWNED  WREN. 

(Rcgulus  Hncolor.     Sylvia  regxdus,  Wilson,  i.  p.  [I2(i.  pi.  8.  fig.  2. 

[male].     Bonap.  i.  p.  22.  pi.  2.  fig.  4.  [female.] 
Sp  Charact.  -Yellowish-olive  ;  beneath  whitish,  li:'ged  with  olive- 
'arey  ;  cheeks  greyish-white  ;  crown  flame-colored,  bordered  with 
yellow  and  black  ;   bill  slender  and  rather  short.     Length  more 
than  4  inches.- F™«/.,  beneath  greyish-white;   crown  lemon- 
yellow.-  Young  vmh,  with  the  crown  golden-yellow. 
Note  —  The  true  Reguhis  cristatus  is  also  probably  a  passenger 
through  the  United  States  in  winter  and  spring.    On  the  15th  of 


RDS. 

from  4  to  4J  inches  long, 
llow-olive,   witli  tho  hind 
ash  ;   a  dull  wliitish  line, 
d  beyond  the  eye  on  eith- 
r  deep  black  in  the  same 
iterior  of  these  dark  feath- 
T  a  line  of  that  color,  and 
are  almost  wholly  of  the 
sents  a  bed  of  rich  flame 
head.     The  lateral  black 
[ingest,  and  the  two  tufls 
3  as  at  will  either  to  display 
rom  the  upper  mandible  to 
of  black,  accompanied  by 
mandible.     Beneath  grey- 
tail  dusky,  edged  with  yel- 
;  former  whitish;    greater 
nd  edged  with  olive,  form- 
laller  bar  appears  also  near 
!  upper  coverts ;    immedi- 
1  a  large  dark  spot  on  the 
era  continue   to  be  edged 
d.     Legs  brownish-yellow, 
snder,  widish  and  depress- 
■red  each  by  a  decompound, 
ch  more    dusky,  and   dull 
is  probably  a  distinct  spe- 
ws : 


NED  WREN. 

SON,  i.  p.  [126.  pi.  8.  fig.  2. 
•  fig'  4.  [female.] 
th  whitish,  linged  with  olive- 
lame-colored,  bordered  with 
ather  short.  Length  more 
eyish-white  ;  crown  lemon- 
irn  golden-yellow. 

3  also  probably  a  passenger 
nd  spring.     On  the   15th  of 


1^ 


WRENS. 


421 


October  last,  I  observed  a  busy  pair  of  these  little  birds,  for  some 
time,  in  a  garden  in  the  city  of  Boston  ;  they  kept  up  a  perpetual 
mutual  call,  in  a  querulous  note  like  Chicadees,  and  had  the  crown 
simply  orange-yellow.  They  pursued  their  eager  search  for  eggs  and 
dormant  larvm  of  insects,  without  taking  any  alarm  at  my  near  ap- 
proach. On  striking  the  tree,  on  which  tiiey  a  e,  sliarply  with  a 
stick  or  stone,  these  little  timid  birds  have  been  found  to  drop  down 
dead. 

My  friend,  Mr  C.  Pickering,  informs  me,  tlmt  in  the  European 
specimen  in  tlie  Philadelphia  Museum  (apparently  a  young  bird)  the 
bright  colors  of  the  crest  are  not  very  visible,  and  tl^at  the  black  ex- 
ternal band  seems  to  be  mixed  with  white  feathers  ;  there  is  also 
a  tint  of  yellow  on  the  sides  of  tlie  neck  and  back,  brighter  towards 
the  breast,  which  is  not  at  all  observable  on  the  American  speci- 
mens, of  either  sex.  The  bill  is  likewise  longer  and  more  slender 
than  in  our  R.  tricolor. 


WRENS.     (Troglodytes.) 

In  these  birds  the  bii,i,  is  slander,  subulate,  somewhat  arched  and 
elongated,  also  acute,  compressed,  and  without  notch;  mandibles 
equal.  Nostrils  basal,  oval,  half  closed  by  a  membrane.  Tonguk 
slender,  the  tip  divided  into  2  or  3  small  bristles.  Fekt  slender, 
tarsus  longer  than  the  middle  toe  ;  inner  toe  free  ;  posterior  with  a 
larger  nail  than  the  rest.  —  The  wings  short,  concave,  and  rounded, 
furnished  often  with  a  conspicuous  spurious  feather  or  short  prima- 
ry ;  3d,  -Ith.  and  5th  primaries  longest. 

The  female  and  youvg  hardly  differ  in  plumage  from  the  adult 
male.  The  moult  is  annual.  The  plumage  thick  and  long,  is 
always  composed  of  sombre  co.j  rs.  The  body  is  roundish,  and  the 
tail  almost  constantly  erected.  They  are  small  musical  birds,  active, 
courageous,  and  capricious  in  their  movements,  almost  always  hid  in 
thickets  and  bushes,  keeping  near  the  ground,  to  which  they  often 
descend  to  forage  for  worms  and  insects,  and  showing  a  tbudness  for 
prying  into  holes  and  dark  places,  as  well  as  among  logs,  &c.,  where 
they  more  particularly  surprise  their  prey  of  spiders  and  moths.  The 
nest  is  constructed  with  much  art,  and  the  eggs  are  commonly  nu- 
merous. 

36 


'.  I- 


-:iiiM;i:;«*aM. 


422 


INSECTIVOROira  BIRDS. 


Subgenus.  —  Troglodytes  (or  Proper  Wrens.) 
In  these  birds  the  middle  toe  is  rnllier  long,  and  the  nails  of  mod- 
erate length.  In  the  Common  Wren  the  bill  is  also  somewhat  straight. 
These  are   remarkable   for  their  almost  douiestic  habits,  building 
otUn  from  preference  about  houses,  eiUier  empty  or  inhabited  ;   they 
also  sing  agreeably  ;   species  of  which  exist  in  both  continents. 


HOUSE  WREN. 

(Troghd,,tes  fulvns,  Bo^Ar.  T.  aedon,  Vitm-i..  Audvbon,  Orn. 
Biog.'i.  p.  427.  pi.  1-3,  (truly  admirable.)  S;jlna  domeslica,  Wil- 
son, i.  p.  129.  pi.  8,  fig.  3.  Syhia  furta,  ifulva-')  Lath.  Phil. 
Museum,  No.  7283.) 
Sp.CiiAnACT.  — Dark  brown,  banded  with  blackish;  beneath  dull 
pale  grey,  wiUi  obsolete  indices  of  bands;  the  tail  rather  long  and 
rounded. 

This  lively,  cheerful,  capricious,  and  well  known  little 
minstrel  is  only  a  summer  resident  in  the  United  States. 
Its  northern  migrations  extend  to  Labrador.  But  it  re- 
sides and  rears  its  young  principally  in  the  Middle 
States.  My  friend,  Mr.  Say,  also  observed  this  species 
near  Pembino.  beyond  the  sources  of  the   Mississippi, 


ER  WhENS.) 

d  the  nails  of  mod- 
somewhat  straight, 
ic  hiibits,  building 
or  inhabited ;  they 
th  continent. 


^«,_;^^^ 


8)1  ,-•,•■; -/.-a,)' 


i.L.  Audubon,  Orn. 
'jlria  dmnestica,  Wjl- 
ulca?)    Lath.    Phil. 

ickish;  beneath  dull 
le  tail  rather  long  and 

I  well  known  little 
the  United  States, 
rador.  But  it  re- 
y  in  the  Middle 
erved  this  species 
if  the   Mississippi, 


HOU8F  WREN. 


493 


in  the  Western  wilderness  of  the  49th  degree  of  latitude. 
It  is  like\visf3  said  to  be  an  inhabitant  of  Surinam  within 
the  tropics,  where  its  deligiitful  melody  has  gained  it  the 
nickname  of  the  Niglitingale.  This  region,  or  the  inter- 
mediate country  of  Mexico,  is  probably  the  winter  quar- 
ters of  our  domestic  favorite.  In  Louisiana  it  is  unknown 
even  as  a  transient  visitor,*  migrating  apparently  to  the 
east  of  the  Mississippi,  and  sedulously  avoiding  the  re- 
gion generally  inhabited  by  the  Carolina  Wren.  It  is  a 
matter  of  surprise  how  this,  and  some  other  species, 
with  wings  so  short  and  a  flight  so  fluttering,  are  over 
capable  of  arriving  and  returning  from  such  distant 
countries.  At  any  rate,  come  from  where  he  may,  he 
makes  his  appearance  in  the  Middle  States  alwut  the 
12th  or  15th  of  April,  and  is  seen  in  New  England 
in  the  latter  end  ."  hat  month  or  by  the  beginning  of 
May.  They  *>  i  -ir  departure  for  the  South  towards 
the  close  of  S.  ;)..;i..((er,  or  early  in  October,  and  are  not 
known  to  winter  within  the  limits  of  the  Union. 

Some  time  in  the  early  part  of  May,  our  little  social  vis- 
itor enters  actively  into  the  cares  as  well  as  pleasures 
which  preside  in.stinctively  over  the  fiat  of  propagation. 
His  nest,  from  preference,  near  the  house,  is  placed  be- 
neath the  eaves,  in  some  remote  corner  under  a  shed, 
outhou.sc,  barn,  or  in  a  hollow  orchard  tree  ;  also  in  the 
deserted  cell  of  the  Woodpecker,  and  when  provided 
with  the  convenience,  in  a  wooden  box  along  with  the 
Martins  and  Blue-birds.  He  will  make  his  nest  even  in 
an  old  hat,  nailed  up,  and  perforated  with  a  hole  for 
entrance.t  and  Audubon  saw  one  deposited  in  the  pocket 
of  a  broken    down   carriage.      So   pertinacious   is  the 

*  AUDDBOK,  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  427. 

t  This  Incident,  with  all  tlio  ttutli  and  boauty  of  nature,  is  given  by  Audubon  in 
hii  best  atyle. 


n 


424 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIIIDS. 


House  Wren  in  thus  claiming  the  convenience  and  pro- 
jection of  human  society,  that  according  to  Wilson,  an 
instance  once  occurred  where  a  nest  was  made  in  the 
sleeve  of  a  mower's  coat,  which,  in  the  month  ot  June 
was  hung  up  accidentally  for  two  or  three  days  in  a  shed 

near  a  barn. 

The  nest  of  this  species,  though  less  curious  than  that 
of  some  other  kinds,  is  still  constructed  with  considera- 
ble  appearance  of  contrivance.     The  external   approach 
is   barricaded  with    a    strong    outwork    of    sticks  inter- 
laced  with  much  labor  and  ingenuity.     When  the  nest 
therefore  is  placed    beneath  the  eaves,   or  in  some  other 
situation    contiguous  to   the    roof  of    the  building,  the 
access   to   the  inner    fabric  is   so   nearly   closed  by  this 
formidable   mass  of  twigs,   that   a  mere   portion  ol   the 
ed.e  is   alone  left  open    for   the  female,  just  suihcient 
for^her  to  creep  in  and  out.     Within  this  judicious  fort  is 
placed  the  proper  nest,  of  the  usual  hemispherical  hgure 
formed  of  layers  of  dried  stalks  of  grass  and  lined  with 
feathers.     The  eggs,  from  G  to  9,  are  of  a  reddish  flesh- 
color,  sprinkled  all  over  with  innumerable  fine  grams  of  a 
somewhat  deeper  tint.     They  generally  rear  two  broods 
in  the  season  ;  the  first  take  to  flight  about  the  beginning 
of  June,  and  the  second  in  July,  or  August.     The  young 
are  early  capable  of  providing  for  their  own  subsistence, 
and    twittering    forth    their    petulent    cry  of  alarm.     It 
is  both  pleasant  and    amusino;   to  observe   the  sociability 
and  activity  of  these  recent  nurslings,  who  seem  to  move 
in    a    body,    throwing    themselves   into    antic    attitudes, 
often  crowding  together  into  the  old  nests  of  other  birds, 
and   for    some  time    roosting   near  their   former    cradle, 
under  the  aff"ectionate  eye  of  their   busy  parents,    who 
have  perhaps  already  begun  to  prepare  the  same  nest  for 
a  new  progeny.      Indeed,   so  prospective   and  busy  is 


t-u 


IIOUAE  WREN. 


436 


snience  and  pro- 
T  to  Wilsoii,  an 
was  made  in  the 
month  of  June, 
;e  days  in  a  shed 

curious  than  that 
with  considera- 
icternal   approach 
of    sticks  inter- 
When  the  nest 
or  in  some  other 
he  buiUling,  the 
ly   closed  by  this 
e   portion  of  tlie 
le,  just  suihcicnt 
s  judicious  fort  is 
lisphcriciil  figure, 
5S  and  lined  with 
if  a  reddish  flesh- 
)le  fine  grains  of  a 
f  rear  two  broods 
out  the  beginning 
gust.     The  young 
■  own  subsistence, 
cry  of  alarm.     It 
rve  the  sociability 
who  seem  to  move 
3    antic    attitudes, 
Bsts  of  other  birds, 
;ir   former   cradle, 
3usy  parents,   who 
the  same  nest  for 
ctive   and  busy  is 


the  male,  that  he  frequently  amuses  himself  with  erect- 
ing another  mansion  even  while  his  mate  is  still  sitting 
on  her  eggs ;  and  this  curious  habit  of  superlliious  labor 
seems  to  be  more  or  less  common  to  the  whole  genus. 

One  of  these  Wrens,  according  to  Wilson,  happened 
to  lose  his  mate  by  the  sly  and  ravenous  approaches 
of  a  cat,  an  animal  which  they  justly  hold  in  abhor- 
rence. The  day  after  this  important  loss  our  little  wid- 
ower had  succeeded  in  introducing  to  his  desolate  man- 
sion a  second  partner,  whose  welcome  appeared  by  the 
ecstatic  song  which  the  bridegroom  now  uttered ;  after 
this  they  remained  together,  and  reared  tlieii  brood. 
Last  summer  (IS:Ui),  I  found  a  female  Wren  who  had 
expired  in  the  nest  in  the  abortive  act  of  laying  her 
first  egg.  I  therefore  took  away  the  nest  from  under 
the  edge  of  the  shed  in  which  it  was  built.  The  male, 
however,  continued  round  the  place  as  before,  and  still 
cheerfully  uttered  his  accustomed  song.  Unwilling  to 
leave  the  premises,  he  now  went  to  work,  and  made, 
unaided,  another  dwelling,  and  after  a  tim  i  brought  a 
new  mate  to  take  possession,  but,  less  faithful  than  Wil- 
son's bird,  or  suspecting  some  lurking  danger,  she  for- 
sook the  nest  after  entering,  and  never  laid  in  it ;  but 
still  the  happy  warbler  continued  his  uninterrupted  lay, 
apparently  in  solitude. 

The  song  of  our  familiar  Wren  is  loud,  sprightly,  and 
tremulous,  uttered  with  peculiar  animation,  and  rapidly 
repeated  ;  at  first  the  voice  seems  ventriloqual  and  dis- 
tant, and  then  bursts  forth  by  efforts  into  a  mellow  and 
echoing  warble.  The  trilling,  hurried  notes  seem  to 
reverberate  from  the  leafy  branches  in  which  the  musi- 
cian sits  obscured,  or  is  heard  from  the  low  roof  of  the 
vine-mantled  cottage  like  the  shrill  and  unv/earicd  pipe 
of  some  sylvan  I  if.  The  strain  is  continued  even  dur- 
30* 


436 


INSECTIVOROUS  nruDs. 


ing  tlie  sultry  noon  of  the  summer's   day   when  most  of 
the  feathered  son  jesters  seek  repose  and  shelter  from  the 
heat.     His  lively   and   querulous   ditty,    is  however   still 
accompanied  by  the  slower  measured,  pathetic  chant  of 
the  Red-eyed  Flycatcher,  the   meandering,  tender   war- 
ble  of  the  Musical   Vireo,  or  the  occasional  loud  mim- 
icry   of  the    Cat-bird  ;     the    whole   forming   an    aerial, 
almost    celestial    concert,     which    never    tires    tiie   ear. 
Though    the    general   performance   of  our  Wren    bears 
no    inconsiderable   resemblance    to    that    of   the    Euro- 
pean species,  yet   its  voice    is  louder   and   its  execution 
much  more   varied  and  delightful.     It  is   rather   a  bold 
and  insolent  intruder  upon   those  birds,  who  reside  near 
it,  or   claim   the  same    accommodation.      It    frequently 
causes  the  mild    Blue-bird   or   the   Martin   to  relincjnish 
their  hereditary  claims  to  the  garden  bo.\,   and  has  been 
accused  also  of  sucking  their  eggs.     Nor  is   he  any  bet- 
ter contented  with  neighbours  of  his  own  fraternity  who 
settle    near   him,  keeping   up    frequent    squabbles,    like 
other  little  busy  bodies,  who  are  never  happy  but  in  mis- 
chief; so  that  upon  the  whole,  though  we  may  justly  ad- 
mire  the   fine  talents  of   this  petulant  domestic,  he  is, 
like  many  other  actors,  merely  a  good  performer.     He 
is  still  upon  the  whole   a  real  friend   to  the  farmer  and 
horticulturist,   by   the   number  of  injurious   insects  and 
their  destructive  larva;  on  which  both  him  and  his  numer- 
ous family  subsist.     Bold  and  fearless,  seeking  out  every 
advantageous  association,    and    making   up   in   activity 
what  he  may  lack   in    irength,  he   does   not  confine  his 
visits  to  the  cottage  or   the    country,  hut   may    often  be 
heard  on  the  tops  of  houses,  even  in  the  midst  of  the  city, 
warbling  v/ith  his  usual  energy. 


A 


COMMON  OR  WINTER  WREN. 


427 


y  whnn  most  of 
shelter  from  the 
is  however  still 
)athctic  chant  of 
ng,  tender  war- 
ional  loud  mim- 
[Tiiiig  an  aerial, 
■  tires  the  ear. 
lur  Wren  bears 
t  of  the  EurO' 
nd  its  execution 
is  rather  a  bold 
who  reside  near 
It  frequently 
in  to  relinquish 
X,  and  has  been 
r  is  he  any  bet- 
a  fraternity  who 
squabbles,  like 
lappy  but  in  mis- 
vc  may  justly  ad- 
domestic,  he  is, 
performer.  He 
»  the  farmer  and 
ious  insects  and 
rn  and  his  numer- 
leeking  out  every 
;  up  in  activity 
i  not  confine  his 
ut  may  often  be 
midst  of  the  city, 


The  IIouRe  Wren  in  from  4i  to  6  inches  in  length  ;  and  5J  to  6 
inches  ill  iihir  extent.  Above  deep  brown,  darkest  on  the  head  and 
neck,  and  beci)niin||r  much  brighter  on  the  riiMi|>.  All  the  feathers, 
except  those  of  the  head  and  neck,  barred  with  dusky.  Below  dirty 
whitish  grey,  nearly  white  towards  the  belly,  feathers  of  the  vent, 
and  a  little  above,  elcirantly  barred  with  dusky,  white,  and  fi^rrugin- 
ous  ;  those  just  above  the  rump  have  large  round  spots  of  white  be- 
low, not  visible  unless  separated  by  tlie  hand.  Tail  and  wingfl 
atroi'glr  barred.  Tail  rather  long  and  wedge-shaped.  Bill  some- 
what long,  upper  mandible  dusky  brown,  the  lower  pale,  al.Tiost 
flesh-color.  Legs  and  feet  pale  whitish  yellow.  —  The  female  differs 
vory  little  from  the  male  in  plumage. 


COMMON  OR  WINTEli  WR1:N. 

(Troftlodytcs  curopieus,  Lkach.  Sijhia  trogloihjtfs,  Wii.sos,  i.  p. 
1.3.>>.  pi.  8.  fig.  6.  Troglodytes  hijtmalis,  Vikill.  Phil.  Museum, 
No.  728.t,) 

Sp.  CiiAKACT.  —  Brown,  banded  with  dusky;  beneath  dull  rufous- 
grayish  with  obsolete  bands ;  the  tail  very  short ;  bill  almost 
straight. 

This  little  winter  visitor,  which  approaches  the  Mid- 
dle States  in  the  month  of  October,  seems  scarcely  in 
any  way  distinguishable  from  the  Common  Wren  of 
Europe.  It  .sometimes  passes  the  winter  in  Penn.sylva- 
nia,  and  according  to  Audubon  even  breeds  in  the  Great 
Pine  Swamp  in  that  state,  as  well  as  in  New  York. 
Early  in  the  spring  it  is  seen  on  its  returning  route  to 
the  northwest.  Mr.  Say  observed  it  in  summer  near 
the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  it  was  also  seen 
at  the  same  season,  on  the  White  Mountains  of  New 
Hampsiiire  by  the  scientific  exploring  party  of  Dr.  Bige- 
low,  Messrs.  Boott,  and  Gray,  so  that  it  must  retire  to  the 
Western  or  mountainous  solitudes  to  pass  the  period  of 
incubation.  During  its  residence  in  the  Middle  States  it 
frequents  the  broken  banks  of  rivulets,  old  roots,  and  de- 
cayed logs  Eoar  watery  places  in  quest  of  its  insect  food. 


f,' 


k 


428 


INSECTIVOROUS  IlinUS. 


As  in  Europe,  it  also  nppronchos  the  farm-house,  examines 
the  wood-pile,  erecting  its  tail,  and  creeping  into  the 
interstices  like  a  mouse.  It  frequently  mounts  on  some 
projecting  object  and  sings  with  great  animation.  In 
the  gardens  and  out-houses  of  the  city,  it  appears  equally 
familiar  as  the  more  common  House  Wren. 

The  nest  of  the  European  Wren  is  often  in  a  bush 
near  the  ground,  stump  of  a  tree,  or  on  the  ground  itself; 
they  also  seek  tlio  asylum  of  some  corner  of  the  out- 
house near  habitations,  or  some  stack  of  wood,  or  hole 
in  the  wall.  The  form  of  thi;  fabric  is  nearly  oval,  with 
a  small  entry  in  the  side,  and  varies  externally  according 
to  contiguous  ot)iccts  ;  thus,  if  near  a  hay-rick  it  is  com- 
posed  sometimes  outwardly  of  hay,  if  on  a  tree  clothed  with 
lichens,  these  are  attached  to  the  outside  of  the  nest;  but 
if  in  a  mossy  stump,  the  exterior  has  almost  exactly  the 
aspect  of  a  mere  rude  and  larger  mass  of  the  same  moss. 
The  eccs,  provrirbiaily  numerous,  are  said  to  be  from  1(> 
to  18,  nearly  white,  with  a  few  reddish  spots  at  the  larger 

end. 

The  Wren  has  a  pleasing  warble,  and  much  louder 
than  might  be  expected  from  the  diminutive  size  of  the 
performer.  Its  song  likewise  continues  more  or  less 
throughout  the  year,  even  during  the  prevalence  of  a 
snow  storm  it  has  been  heard  as  cheerful  as  ever ;  it  like- 
wise continues  its  note  till  very  late  in  the  evening, 
though  not  after  dark. 

The  length  of  the  Winter  or  Common  Wren,  is  ^  inches,  and  the 
alar  extent  5.  Above  dark-brown,  crossed  witli  transverse  dusky 
touches,  except  the  head  and  neck  whicli  are  plain  ;  the  black  spots 
of  the  back  terminate  in  minute  points  of  dull  white;  the  same  col- 
ored points  are  seen  on  the  first  row  of  wing-coverts  ;  the  primaries 
are  crossed  with  alternate  rows  of  black  and  cream-color.  Throat, 
line  over  the  eye,  sides  of  the  neik  and  breast,  dirty  white,  with  mi- 
nute transverse  touches  of  drab.    Belly  and  vent  Uiickly  motUed 


■house,  examines 
ccpiiig  into  the 
iuounts  on  some 
animation.  In 
appears  equally 
m. 

often  in  a  bush 
ho  ground  itself; 
•nor  of  tlio  out- 
)f  wooil,  or  hole 
nearly  oval,  with 
■rnally  according 
ly-rick  it  is  corn- 
tree  clothed  with 
5  of  the  nest ;  hut 
most  exactly  tiie 
•  f  tlio  same  moss, 
lid  to  be  from  10 
pots  at  the  larger 

nd  much  louder 
lutive  size  of  the 
cs  more  or  less 
prevalence  of  a 
il  as  ever  ;  it  like- 
in  the  evening, 

ia  3J  inches,  and  the 
itli  transverse  dusky 
ilain  ;  the  black  spots 
ivliite  ;  the  same  col- 
iverta ;  the  primaries 
;ream-color.  Throat, 
dirty  white,  with  mi- 
irent  tluckly  mottled 


i 


COMMON  oil  WINTER  WREN. 


439 


with  sooty  Ijlack,  deep  brown,  and  white,  in  bais.  Tail  very  short. 
Legs  and  left  pale  cluy-color.  Bill  straight,  imlf  an  inch  long,  dark 
brown  al)uve,  whitish  beneath.    Iris  liglit  hazel. 


GREAT  CAROLINA  or  MOCKING  WREN. 

{Trogloihjtes  ludovicianus,  Bonap.  Audubon,  pi.  78.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p. 
399.  Sylvia  luduvkiana,  sp.  150.  Lath.  Ccrthia  caroliniana, 
WiLSo.v,  ii.  p.  61.  pi.  12.  fig.  5.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  7248.) 

Sp.  Chahact.  — Chesnut-brown  ;  wings  and  tail  with  dusky-bars, 
the  coverts  tipt  with  white  ;  beneath  pale  rusty,  inclining  to  grey 
on  the  throat;  the  vent  white,  barred  with  black;  a  whitish  stripe 
over  the  eye,  extending  down  to  tlie  side  of  the  neck.  —  Female, 
lighter,  without  the  white  on  the  wing  coverts. 

This  remarkable,  mimicking,  and  musical  Wren  is  a 
constant  resident  in  the  Southern  states,  from  Virginia  to 
Florida,  but  is  rarely  seen  at  any  season  north  of  the  line 


I. 

,    Jf 
111 


430 


INSBCTIVOROITH   IIIRUM. 


of  Maryland  or  Delaware,  i\umu\i,  attracted  by  the  great 
river  coiirscH,  tlioy  arc  abundant  from  I'ittsbursj  to  New  Or- 
leans.    A  few  individual.H  stray,  in  the  courBC  of  the  spring, 
as  far  as  the  line  of  New  York,  and  appear  in  New  Jersey 
and  the  vicinity  of  Philadelpiiiaenrl^  in  the  month  of  May. 
On  the  ITlli  i.f  April,  returuing   from  a  Southern  tour  of 
greiit  extent,   I   again  recognisinl   my   ohl   and  pleading 
acquaintance,  by  his  usual  note,  near  Chester  on  the  Del- 
aware, where,  I  have  linje  doubt,  a  few  remain  and  ,)a88 
the  summer,  retiring   to  ih«  South  only   as  the  weather 
becomes  inclement.     On  the  banks  of  the  Patapsco  near 
Baltimore  their  song  is  still  heard  to  the  close  of  Novem- 
ber.    According    to   Audubon,   the   nest  of  this   bird  is 
usually  placed  in  a  hole   in   some  low  and   decayed  tree, 
or  in  a  feuce-post ;  sometimes  also  in  a  stable,    barn,   or 
out-house.     The  materials  employed   are   hay,  dry  grass, 
and  leaves,  for   the  outer  part  ;    with   a   lining  of  horse- 
hair, or  the  capillary  dry  fibres  of  the  Long -moss  ( '7V//rtM- 
dsia).     Sometimes  the  nest    is  5  or  6  inches  deep,  but, 
with  the  usual  precaution  of  the  family,  so  narrow  in  the 
entrance  as  only  to  admit  of  one  of  the  birds  at  a  time. 
The  eggs,   '>  to  8,    are  oval,    and  greyish-white,   spotted 
with   reddish-brown.     Like  the  common  species,   an  in- 
dividual  (probably   one  of  the   young  birds)    has    been 
observed  to  roost  for   a   time  in  an   old   Wood  Thrush's 
neat  which  had  been  filled  with  fallen  leaves.     They  are 
so  prolific  as  to  raise  two,  and  sometimes  three  broods  in 

a  season. 

Our  bird  has  all  the  petulance,  courage,  industry,  and 
familiarity  of  his  particular  tribe,  lie  delights  to  survey 
the  meanders  of  peaceful  streams,  and  dwell  amidst  the 
shady  trees  which  adorn  their  banks.  His  choice  seems 
to  convey  a  taste  for  the  picturesque  and  beautiful  in 
nature,  himself,  in   the  fore-ground,   forming  one  of  the 


OKEAT  CAROLINA  OR  MOCKINO  WREN. 


431 


jtecl  by  the  great 
sburgto  NewOr- 
irNeol'tlK!  spring, 
ar  in  New  Jer;  oy 
lie  inontli  of  May. 

Soutlicrii  tour  of 
)l(l  inid  pleasing 
lester  on  tiie  Del- 

remain  and  ,>n8S 
|f  as  the  weather 
he  Pntapsco  near 

close  of  Novfin- 
st  of  this  biril  is 
iid   decayed  tree, 

stable,  bnrn,  or 
e  hay,  dry  grass, 
,  lining  of  liorse- 
Dng-rnoss  ( TiUnn- 
nciies  deep,  but, 
,  so  narrow  in  the 
3  birds  at  a  time, 
sh-white,  spotted 
n  species,   an  in- 

birds)  has  been 
1  Wood  Thrush's 
leaves.  They  are 
es  three  broods  in 

ige,  industry,  and 
delights  to  survey 

1  dwell  amidst  the 
His  choice  seems 

!   and   beautiful  in 

)rming  one  of  the 


most  pleasing  attractions  of  the  scene.     Approaching  the 
water-fall,  he  associates  with  its  murmurs  the  presence 
of  the  King-Fisher,  and   modulating   the   hoarse  rattle  of 
his  original    into  a  low,  varied,  desponding  note,    he  sita 
on    some  depending   l)ough   by   the    stream,    and  calls, 
at  intervals,    in    a   slow   voice,    tee-J/rlrrh   trr-yxirrh,    or 
chr'r'r'r'rh.  In  tho  tall  trees  by  the  silent  stream,  ho  recol- 
lects the  lively,  comuion  note  of  the  Tufted  Titmouse,  and 
Tf\)calH  the  pifo  pri  >  i» to  pf ft ,    or   his  peevMi  katett:did, 
kntetedifl,   hitidiil.     While    gleaning  low,  am    'st   fallen 
leaves  and    brush-wood,  for   hiding  and    dormant  in.sects 
and  worms,  bo  perhaps  l)rings   up  the  note  of  his   indus- 
trious neighbour  the  Ground   Robin,  and  sets  to  his  own 
sweet  and  liquid  tones  the  simple   towirt   towert   toweet. 
The  tremulous  trill  of  the   Pine  Warbler   is  then  recol- 
lected, and  tr'r'r'r'r'r'ih  is  whistled.     In  llie  next  breath 
comes  his  imitation  of  tlie  large  Woodpecker,  im/Vi/  icoity 
woity  and  wntchif  wotrhi/  teotchy,  or  tshover  t.shavrt  tshof, 
and  t^hooadtv  tshoondrr  fshooadvd,  then  varied  intshnvai 
tahuvai  talwvat,    niid     tonvaiiah     tooraiinh    toiwriiiatoo. 
Next  comes  perhaps  his  more  musical  and  pleasing  ver- 
sion of  the  Blackbird's  short  song,   irnttitshec  wottitshec 
wottitsfDc.     To  the  same   smart   tune   is  now  s.     a  cho- 
sen part  of  the  drawling   .song  of  the    Meadow   Lark,* 
preredo  prrredo  prcrcit,  then  varied  nredo   reredo  receet 
and  tecedu  teccdo  trceet ;   or  changing  to  a  bass  key,   he 
tunes  soofrd  soottrt  soot.     Once,  I  heard  this  indefatiga- 
ble mimic   attempt   delightfully   the  warble  of  the  Blue- 
bird in  the  month  of  February.     The  bold  \.'histle  of  the 
Cardinal   Bird    is  another  of  the  sounds   he  delights  to 
imitate  and  repeat  in  liis  own  quaint  manner  ;    such  as, 
vit-i/^  vit-yk  vit-yu,   and  vii^luui  rishnu  vishnu,   then  his 
taoitee  woitcr  woiffc   and   wiltrr  wiltee  wiltce.     Soon  after 


*  Stmrtau  IvdnuiaxM. 


433 


INSECTIVonoiIB   BIRDH. 


I  first  heard  ilic  note  of  tl.e  White-eyed  Virco  in  March, 
the   Carolina  Wren    immediately    mimicked   the   note  of 
teeah  whoa,  mtte  weiwd.     Home  of  these   notes   would 
appear  to  he  recollections  of  the  puf*t  season,   as  imita- 
tions of  tlu     Maryland    Yellow-'rhr<..it   (wittis,,  wilfisec 
wittiste  wit,  und  iluwuiiUt,  shewniilit,  fhwaidit)   not  yet 
hnarti    or    arrived  within   the   boundary   of  the    United 
States.     So  also  his  tahn-ni  tn/icrri/  tslirrn/  Uhiip  is  one 
of  the  notes  of  the  Ualtimor."  Bird,  yet  in  South  America. 
While  at  Tu.-caloosa,  about  the  'JOth  of  February,  one 
of  these  Wrens,   on  the   borders  of  a  garden,  sat  and 
repeated   for   some   time,   fslir-irhiskre   wkhhr    wlihkee, 
then   ioolnit  sootait   soolait ;    uiiother  of  his    phrases  is 
tahukadcf     tshukadrr     UhukddriHlioo,     an'l      ,hjibway 
chjibwnif  rhjUjirtuf,  uttered  quick  ;    the  first  ot    these  ex- 
pressions is  in  imitation  of  one  of  the  notes  of  tli.>  Scar- 
let  Tanager.      Amidst    these   imil^itions   and  variations 
which  seem  almost  endless,  and   lead   the  stranger  to  im- 
agine himself,  even  in  the  <lepth  of  winter,  surrounded 
by  all  the   .juaint   choristers  of  the    summer,    there    is 
still,  with  our   capricious  and  tuneful    mimick,  a  favor- 
ite theme  more  constantly   and   regularly  repealed  than 
the  rest.     This  was  also  the  first  sound  that  I  heard  from 
him,  delivered  with  sreat  spirit,  though  in  the  dreary  month 
of  Jrnuary.     This  sweet  and   melodious  ditty,  tsi:e-toot 
tscc-toot  tsfe-toot,  and   sometimes  tscr-toot   tsce-toot  sect, 
was   usually  uttered    in   a   somewhat   plaintive  or  tender 
strain,    varied     at    each    repetition   witli    the    most   de- 
lightful and  delicate  tones,  of  which   no  conception  can 
be   formed   without  experience.     That   this  song  has  a 
sentimental  air  may  be  conceived  from  its    interpretation 
by  the  youths  of  the  country,  .vho  pretend  to  hear  it  say, 
sweet-heart  swert-heart  swnt !    nor   is  the   allu;-;ion   more 
than  the  natural  truth,  for,  usually,  this  affectionate  ditty 


♦ 


flHEAT  CAROLINA  OR  MOCKINU   WREN. 


433 


I  Virco  in  March, 
ckctl  l\\v.  nutc  of 
iG»e  notes  would 
«'n«on,   !is  iiiiitii- 

(wlttisrr  witfisCC 

hiwnidU)  not  yet 
y  of  the  United 
umi  txhiip  is  one 

II  Soutli  America, 
of  Febriinry,  one 

garden,  sat  and 

whhhir  whi>kee, 
of  his  phrases  iH 
,      an'l      rlijibway 

fir-t  ui    tiieso  ex- 
iKilctt  of  tlu"  Scar- 
ns   and  variations 
the  stranger  to  im- 
viiitcr,  Hiirroiiiided 
puininer,    tliere    is 
I    inimick,  a  i'avor- 
irly  repeated  than 
1  that  I  heard  from 
ill  t lie  dreary  month 
ous  ditty,  iscc-toot 
•toot   tsce-toot  sect, 
plaintive  or  tender 
■ith    the    most   de- 
no  conception  can 
It   this  song  has  a 
1  its   interpretation 
tend  to  iicar  it  say, 

the  allusion   more 
is  affectionate  ditty 


is  answered  by   its  mate,  Bomotimcs   in   the  name   note, 
at  others  i"    a  dilVerent  cill.     In   most  cases  it  will  be 
remarked,  that  the  phrases  of  our  songster  are  uttered  in 
Ss;  by   this  means,   it  will   generally    be  praiticnlile  to 
distill  jj  I  ifh  its  pirformance  from  that  of  other  birds,  and 
particularly    from  the  C.iidiiial  (Jroshoak,  whose  exprci- 
sions  it  often  closely  imitates  both  in  power  and  delivery. 
I  shall  never,  I   believe,   forget  the  soothing  satisfaction 
and  amusement    I   derived   from   this  little  constant  and 
unwearied   minstrel,    my    solo  vocal   companion  through 
many  weary    miles  of  a    vast,    desolate,    and  otherwise 
cheerless  wild(!rness.   Vet  with  all  his  r.ariu.  .s  to  amuse 
by   his   Protean    song,    the   epitome   of  all  ho  had    ever 
heard,  or   recollected,  he  was   still   stM.'ious  o.  conceal- 
ment,  keeping   busily   engaged   ncai    u-ti   j/roii<  d,  or  in 
low  thickets  in  (piest  of  bis  food  ;   and      '  u  ,  lio  mounted 
a  log  or  brush  pile,   which   he   had  just  examined,  his 
color,  so  similar  to  the  fallen  leaves  and   wintry  livery  of 
nature,  often  prevented  me  from  raining  a  glimpse  of  this 
wonderful  and  interesting  mimic. 

Like  the  preceding  species,  he  has  restless  activity, 
and  a  love  for  prying  into  the  darkest  corners  after  his 
prey,  and  is  particularly  attached  to  the  vicinity  of 
rivers  and  wet  places,  when  not  surrounded  by  gloomy 
shade.  His  quick  and  capricious  motions,  antic  jerks, 
and  elevated  tail,  resemble  the  actions  of  the  House 
Wren.  Eager  and  lively  in  his  contracted  flight, 
before  shifting  he  (juickly  throws  himself  forward  so  as 
nearly  to  touch  his  perch  previous  to  springing  from  his 
legs.  In  Tuscaloosa  and  other  towns  in  Alabama,  he 
appeared  frequently  upon  the  tops  of  the  barns  and  out- 
houses, delivering  with  energy  his  varied  and  desultory 
lay.  At  Tallahassee,  in  West  Florida,  I  observed  one 
cf  these  birds  chanting  near  the  door  of  a  cottage,  and 
37 


1^ 


i 


434 


INSECTIV0R0D8    BIRDS. 


w 

111)' 


S' 


occasionally  imitating,,  in  his  way,  the  squalling  of  the 
crying  child  within,  so  that,  like  the  Mocking  Bird,  all 
sounds  if  novel,  contribute  to  his  amusement. 

The  Mimicking  Wren  is  about  5|  inches  long,  and  7  in  alar  dimen- 
a'ons.  Above  chesiiut-brow  n,  the  wings  and  tail  barred  with  dusky ; 
a  Blreak  of  yfillowish- white  passes  over  the  eye  and  descends  to  the 
sides  of  tiie  neck  ;  below  tliat,  a  streak  of  reddish  brown  extends  from 
behind  the  eye  to  the  slioulder.  The  chin  is  yellowish-white  or  pale 
gray,  the  rest  of  the  body  below  is  of  a  pale  rust-color ;  tlie  vent 
whi;e,  barred  with  black.  Wing-coverts  minutely  tipt  with  white. 
Legs  and  feet  dusky  flesh-color.  Bill  |  of  an  inch  long,  with  the 
upper  mandible  bluish-black,  the  lower  lighter.  Tail  wedge-shaped, 
the  2  exterior  feathers  on  eacli  side  |  of  an  inch  shorter. —  As  in  the 
two  preceding  species,  tlie  featliers  of  tlie  lowe'  part  of  the  bark  when 
parted  appear  below  spotted  with  wliite,  but  broadly  tipt  above  with 
reddish-brown. 


BEWICK'S  WREN. 

( Troglodytes  Beti'ickii,  Audubon,  pi.  18.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  96.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  Chesnut-brown ;    beneath  cinereous  inclining  to 
white  ;  stripe  over  the  eye  pale  yellowish-brown  ;  tail  long,  and 
rounded,  the  lateral  feathers  spotted,  and  the  external  barred  on 
the  outer  webs  with  black  and  white. 

For  the  discovery  of  this  beautiful  species  of  Wren, 
apparently  allied  to  the  preceding,  with  which  it  seems 
nearly  to  agree  in  size,  we  are  indebted  to  the  indefati- 
gable Audubon,  in  whose  splendid  work  it  is  for  the  first 
time  figured,  almost  with  the  spirit  and  animation  of 
life  itself.  It  was  observed  by  its  discoverer,  towards  the 
approach  of  winter,  in  the  lower  part  of  Louisiana.  Its 
manners  are  very  similar  to  those  of  other  species,  but 
instead  of  a  song,  ;u  this  season,  it  only  uttered  a  low 
twitter. 

Length  3  inches,  alar  extent  6*.  Wings  slenderly  barred  with 
dusky.  Tail  long,  the  central  feathers  chesnut,  barred  with  dusky, 
the  rest  nearly  black,  With  the  outer  webs  crossed  with  white.    The 


"m 


nOCKY-MOUNTAIN  WREN. 


435 


he  squalling  of  the 
!  Mocking  Bird,  all 
isement. 

ing,  and  7  in  alardimen- 
tail  barred  witli  dusky ; 
ye  and  descends  to  the 
lisii  brown  extends  from 
1  yellowisli-white  or  pale 
lie  rust-color  ;  the  vent 
nutely  tipt  with  white, 
an  inch  long,  with  the 
er.  Tail  wedge-shaped, 
ich  shorter.  —  As  in  the 
e'  part  of  the  back  when 
,  broadly  tipt  above  with 


N. 

Orn.  Biog,  i.  p,  96.) 
cinereous  inclining  to 
h-brown  ;  tail  long,  and 
d  the  external  barred  on 

il  species  of  Wren, 
with  which  it  seems 
sbtcd  to  the  indcfati- 
lork  it  is  for  the  first 
it  and  animation  of 
icoverer,  towards  the 
■t  of  Louisiana.  Its 
af  other  species,  but 
t  only  uttered  a  low 


outer  tail-feathers  not  more  than  half  the  length  of  the  middle  ones. 
Legs  and  bill  duaky-brown,  the  lower  mandible  paler. 


ROCKY-MOUNTAIN  WREN. 

{Troglodytes  ohsohta,S\Y .    Mijothera  ohsolttii,  Bonap.   Am.  Orn.  i. 

p.  6.  pi.  1.  fig.  2.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  2420.) 
9p.  Charact.  —  Dusky-brownish,  waved  with  paler  lines;  beneath 

whitish  marked  with  brown ;  tail  long  and  rounded,  bordered  with 

ferruginous  yellow  ;  bill  one  inch  long. 

This  large  species  was  discovered  near  the  Arkansa 
river,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  by 
Major  Long's  exploring  party,  and  first  described  by  Mr. 
T.  Say.  The  individual  was  a  male,  obtained  in  the 
month  of  July.  The  only  note  at  this  time  heard  from  it 
was  harsh  like  the  voice  of  the  Tern,  (probably  a  note  of 
alarm  from  the  parent  in  cautioning  its  young.)  It  ap- 
peared to  inhabit  a  sterile  district  devoid  of  trees,  hopped 
along  the  ground,  or  flitted  through  the  branches  of  the 
low  stunted  junipers  which  bordered  the  river,  in  small 
families  of  five  or  six  individuals.  While  thus  engaged,  it 
spread  out  its  tail,  but  showed  no  inclination  to  climb, 
perching  merely  in  the  usual  manner  of  the  other  Wrens. 

The  Rocky  Mountain  Wren  is  6  inches  long.  The  bill  an  inch  or 
more  from  the  corner  of  the  mouth  to  the  point,  is  very  slender,  and 
of  a  dark  color.  The  feet  are  also  dusky  ;  the  tarsus  |tli  of  an  inch. 
Iris  dark  brown.  Above  dusky-brownish,  slightly  undulated  with 
pale  lines,  and  tinted  on  the  top  of  the  head  and  upper  part  of  the 
back  with  dull  ferruginous.  Sides  of  the  head  dull  whitish,  a  brown 
line  passing  through  the  eye.  Beneath  whitish,  with  pale  brown 
lines,  except  the  belly  which  is  wholly  white,  and  the  flanks  slightly 
tinged  with  ferruginous.  The  primaries  spotless  ;  tail-coverts  pale, 
with  fuscous  bands;  inferior  tail-coverts  white  with  dark  brown 
bands.    Tail  nearly  2  inches,  rounded,  and  obsoletely  banded. 


■fH 


rs  slenderly  barred  with 
mut,  barred  with  dusky, 
srossed  with  white.    The 


436 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


ill 


Section  —  THnvoTHORrs,  (Marsh-Wrens.) 

These  birds  scarcely  merit  any  Bepnration  from  the  preceding, 
differing  merely  in  their  habits ;  their  feet,  better  formed  for  climb- 
ing among  rceda  and  rank  herbage,  have  all  the  toes  nearly  of  equal 
length,  the  middle  one  only  a  trifle  longer,  and  the  hinder  toe  more 
robust ;  the  claws,  however,  are  all  long,  slender,  and  very  sharp. 
There  is  no  sensible  difference  in  the  bill  of  these  from  the  preceding 
section,  excei)t  that  it  m.ny  be  a  little  more  slender.  The  spurious 
feather  in  the  wings  is  the  same  as  in  the  true  Wrens. 

These  birds  frequent,  and  live  e.xclusively  in  watery  and  en- 
swamped  situations,  sometimes  among  reeds,  which  they  grasp  and 
ascend  by  hops.  Their  voice  is  less  musical  than  in  the  birds  of  the 
preceding  section,  but  not  without  some  degree  of  similar  harmoni- 
ous modulation.  They  are  peculiar  to  America,  and  extend  to  the 
extremity  of  the  South  American  hemisphere. 


SHORT-BILLED  MARSH-WREN. 

{Troglodytes  *brevirostns,  Nobis.  Read  in  Acad.  Nat.  Sc.  Phil. 
Transactions  of  the  American  Academy,  v.  p.  98.  with  a  figure.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  which  is  striated  ;  above 
dark  brown,  varied  with  rufous  and  whitish ;  beneath,  except  the 
white  throat  and  centre  of  the  breast,  pale  rufous  ;  wings  barred. 


Wrens.) 

om  the  preceding, 
•  formed  for  climb- 
)eB  nearly  of  equal 
lie  hinder  toe  more 
IT,  and  very  sharp, 
from  the  preceding 
ler.  The  spurious 
rens. 

n  watery  and  en- 
ich  tliey  grasp  and 
in  the  birds  of  the 
■  similar  harmoni- 
and  extend  to  the 


^ 


^ 


C^ 


REN. 

d.   Nat.   So.    Phil. 
98.  with  a  figure.) 

1  is  striated  ;  above 
beneath,  except  the 
bus ;  wings  barred. 


"T8P5 


SHORT-BILLED  MARSil-WREN. 


437 


This  amusing  and  not  unmusical  little  species  inhabits 
the  lowest  marshy  meadows,  but  does  not  frequent  the 
reed-flats.  It  never  visits  cultivated  grounds,  and  is  at  all 
times  shy,  timid,  and  suspicious.  It  arrives  in  this  part 
of  Massachusetts  about  the  close  of  the  first  week  in  May, 
and  retires  to  the  South  by  the  middle  of  September  at 
farthest,  probably  by  night,  as  it  is  never  seen  in  pro- 
gress, so  that  its  northern  residence  is  only  prolonged 
about  four  months. 

Its  presence  is  announced  by  its  lively  and  quaint  song 
of  'tsh  'tship,  a  day  day  day  day,  delivered  in  haste  and 
earnest  at  short  intervals,  either  when  he  is  mounted  on 
a  tuft  of  sedge,  or  while  perching  on  some  low  bush  near 
the  skirt  of  the  marsh.  The  'tsh  'tship  is  uttered  with  a 
strong  aspiration,  and  the  remainder  with  a  guttural 
echo.  While  thus  engaged,  his  liead  and  tail  are  alter- 
nately depressed  and  elevated,  as  if  the  little  odd  per- 
former were  fixed  on  a  pivot.  Sometimes  the  note^  va- 
ries to  'tship  'tship  'tshia,  dh'  dh'  dh'  dh',  the  latter  part 
being  a  pleasant  trill.  When  approached  too  closely, 
which  not  often  happened,  as  he  permitted  me  to  come 
within  two  or  three  feet  of  his  station,  his  song  becomes 
harsh  and  more  hurried,  like  'tship  da  da  da,  and  de,  de, 
de  de  d'  d'  dh,  or  tshc  de  de  de  de,  rising  into  an  angry, 
petulant  cry,  which  is  sometimes  also  a  low  hoarse  and 
scolding  daigh  daigh ;  then  again  on  invading  the  nest, 
the  sound  sinks  to  a  plaintive  'tsh  tship,  'tsh  tship.  In  the 
early  part  of  the  breeding  season,  the  male  is  very  lively 
and  musical,  and  in  his  best  humor  he  tunes  up  a  'tship 
'thsip  tship  a  dee,  with  a  pleasantly  warbled  and  reiterated 
de.  At  a  later  period,  another  male  uttered  little  else 
than  a  hoarse  and  guttural  daigh,  hardly  louder  than  the 
croaking  of  a  frog.  When  approached  they  epcatedly  de- 
scend into  the  grass,  where  they  spend  much  of  their 
37* 


m 


438 


iNSECTivonoirs  biiids. 


time  in  quest  of  the  insects,  chiefly  cnistaceous,   which, 
with  moths,  constitute  their  principal  food  ;  here  unseen 
they  still  sedulously  utter  their  quaint  warbling  ;  and  tship 
tshij)  a  ('at/  day  day  day,  may,  for   about  a  month  from 
their   arrival,    be  heard  pleasantly   echoing   on    a   fine 
morning   from  the  borders  of  every  low  marsh   and   wet 
meadow,  provided  with  tussucks  of  sedge-grass,  in  which 
they  indispensably  dwell,  for  a  time  engaged  in  the  cares 
and  gratification  of  raising  and  providing  for  their  young. 
The   nest  of  the   Short-Billed   Marsh-Wren    is   made 
wholly  of  dry,  or  partly   green  sedge,  bent  usually  from 
the  top  of  the  grassy  tuft  in  which  the  fabric  is  situated. 
With  much   ingenuity  and  labor  these   simple  materials 
are  loosely  entwined  together  into  a  spherical  form,  with 
a  small  and  rather  obscure  entrance  left   in  the  side;  a 
thin  lining  is  sometimes  added  to  the  whole,  of  the  linty 
fibres  of  the  silk  weed,  or  some  other  similar  material. 
The  eggs,  pure  white,  and  destitute  of  spots,  are  proba- 
bly  from  (J  to  8.    In  a  nest  containing  7  eggs,  there  were 
3  of  them  larger  than  the  rest,  and  perfectly  fresh,  while 
the  4  smaller  were  far  advanced  towards  hatching  ;    from 
this  circumstance  we  may  fairly  infer   that   <?oo  different 
individuals   had  laid   in  the   same   nest ;  a  circumstance 
more  common  among  wild  birds  than  is  generally  imag- 
ined.    This  is  also  the  more  remarkable,  as  the  male  of 
this  species,   like  many  other  Wrens,  is  much  employed 
in  making  nests,  of  which  not  more  than  one  in  three  or 
four  are  ever  occupied  by  the  females ! 

The  summer  limits  of  this  species,  confounded  with 
the  ordinary  Marsh-Wren,  are  yet  unascertained  ;  and 
it  is  singular  to  remark  how  near  it  approaches  to  an- 
other species  inhabiting  the  temperate  parts  of  the  south- 
ern hemisphere  n  America,  namely  the  Sylvia  platen- 
sis,   figured   am.  indicated    by  Buffon.    The  description, 


ataceous,  which, 
od  ;  hero  unseen 
rbling ;  and  tship 
jut  a  month  from 
hoing  on  a  fine 
V  marsh  and  wet 
re-grass,  in  which 
aged  in  the  cares 
g  lor  their  young. 
ih-Wren  is  made 
bent  usually  from 

fabric  is  situated. 

simple  materials 
herical  form,  with 
ift  in  the  side  ;  a 
vhole,  of  the  linty 
r  similar  material. 
■  spots,  are  proba- 
7  eggs,  there  were 
fectly  fresh,  while 
Is  hatching  ;    from 

that  <?co  different 
it ;  a  circumstance 

is  generally  imag- 
ble,  as  the  male  of 

is  much  employed 
lan  one  in  three  or 
I 

I,  confounded  with 
nascertained  ;   and 

approaches  to  an- 
!  parts  of  the  south- 

the  Sylvia  platen' 
,.    The  description. 


MAIISU-WKEN. 


489 


however,  of  this  bird,  obtained  by  Commerson  on  the 
banks  of  La  Plata,  is  too  imperfect  for  certainty.  It 
was  found  probably  in  a  marshy  situation,  as  it  entered 
the  boat  in  which  he  was  sailing.  The  time  of  arrival 
and  departur'j  in  this  species,  agreeing  exactly  with  the 
appearance  of  the  Marsh-Wren  of  Wilson,  inclines  me  to 
believe  that  it  also  exists  in  Pennsylvania  with  the  fol- 
lowing, whose  migration,  according  to  Audubon,  is  more 
than  a  monih  earlier  and  later  than  that  of  our  bird.  Mr. 
Cooper,  however,  has  not  been  able  to  meet  with  it  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  York. 

The  Slioit-Billed  Marali-Wren  is  about  4i  inches  long.  The  bill 
4  an  inch  from  tlie  tip  to  the  gape  of  the  mouth.  Above  blackish- 
brown,  viiriod  witli  wliite  und  rufous,  chiefly  along  the  shafts  of  the 
feathers  :  top  of  tlie  liead  also  lined.  Wings  du.sky,  conspicuously 
barred  with  whitish  and  rufous  on  the  outer  webs,  3d  and  4th  prima- 
ries longest  and  nearly  equal  to  each  other.  Upper  tail-coverts,  ele- 
gantly barred  with  the  three  colors  above  mentioned.  Tail  rounded, 
barred  witli  drirfky  and  rufous  grey.  Below,  centre  of  the  breast  and 
tliroat,  wliite  ;  sides  of  the  breast,  belly,  and  vent  pale  rust-color  ; 
beneath  the  win^  tlie  flanks  are  faintly  barred,  the  feathers  having 
a  single  subterminal  band.  Legs  and  feet  pale  brownish  flesh-color  ; 
claws  scarcely  more  than  half  the  length  of  those  of  the  common 
Marsh-Wren.  Bill  rather  dusky  above,  pale  beneatii,  considerably 
curved,  but  much  compressed  at  the  sides.— The  female  and  ycung 
scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  adult  nide. 

MARSH-WREN. 

{Troglothjtcs  jMtustris,  Bonap.  Audubon,  pi.  98.    Orn.  Biog.  vol.  i. 

p.  500.     Cerlhia  palustris,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  58.  pi.  12.  fig.  4.     Phil. 

Museum,  No.  7282.) 
Sp.  Chauact.  —  Dark   brown;    crown   dusky    brown;    neck    and 

back  the  same  streaked  with  whitish  ;    a  white  stripe  over  the 

eye  ;    beneath  silvery-whitish,  the  vent  only  tinged  with  pale 

brown  ;  bill  \  of  an  inch. 

This  retiring  inhabitant  of  marshes  and  the  wet  and 
sedgy  borders  of  rivers,  arrives  in  the  Middle  States  of 


1$ 


440 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


m 


m 


Urn 


the  Union  early  in  April,  and  retires  to  the  south  nhont 
the  middle  of  October.  According  to  Audubon  many 
individuals  of  this  i  pecics  pass  the  winter  near  the  «!iorc.s 
of  West  Foiida,  and  the  estuaries  of  the  Missi;«;!>>pi. 
They  are  scarcely  known  to  the  north  ot  the  state  of 
New  York,  their  place,  in  New  England,  hoing  appar- 
ently occupied  by  the  i»receding  ppcries;  westward  they 
were  met  with  on  the  bi)i\ks  of  the  Missouri,  within  the 
wooded  regions,  by  Mr.  Say.  It  is  a  remitrkably  active 
and  quaint  little  species,  s^'cipping  ahi/it  \Mth  groat  ac- 
tivity after  i.;*  insect  food  and  their  larvae  among  tho 
rank  irass  and  rushes,  near  ponds,  and  the  iow  hanks  of 
r  f;r«,  vfhere.  alone  it  aflVcis  to  dwell,  laying  no  claims 
to  the  itn'.Ttuiiiies  of  liu^  habitable  circle  of  man  ;  but  con- 
tent V  ith  Its  tluorite  marshes,  neglected  and  seldom  seen, 
it  rtar.^  -Ji  young  in  security.  The  song  of  thin  species, 
pccr.nlhig  to  thfi  observations  of  a  friend,*  is  very  simi- 
lar to  tiiat  of  the  ,jreceding,  a  sort  of  short,  tremulous, 
and  hurried  warble.  Its  notes  were  even  yet  hearvi  in  an 
island  of  the  Delaware,  opposite  to  Philadelphia,  as  late 
as  the  month  of  September,  where  they  wcro  sfill  in 
plenty  in  this  secluded  asylum.  It  does  not  appear  that 
Wilson  had  ever  heard  the  voice  of  this  species  ;  or  he 
aeems  indeed  to  have  confounded  it  with  the  actual  bub- 
bling of  the  marshy  ground  on  which  he  trod.  Audubon 
compares  its  quickly  repeated  notes  to  the  grating  of  a 
rusty  hinge,  and  adds,  that  its  merry  song  is  continued 
nearly  through  the  whole  of  the  fore  part  of  the  day.t 

The  nest  according  to  Wilson,   is  generally  suspended 
among   the  reeds,  and   securely  tied   to   them   at  a  suffi- 


*  Mr.  R.  Howarlh. 

I  Otn.  Biog.  i.  p.  500.  Ff,  in  fiict,  this  spocios  aings  like  tho  preceding,  with  oil  dot- 
e;ftace  to  Mr.  Auilulion,  from  whom  1  am  lorryover  to  Im  obliged  to  dilTer,  I  cannot 
pi)r3oi"o  any  resemblance  to  tlie  grating  sound  of  a  liinge. 


file  south  tibout 
\ii<lnl)ort  many 
near  the  «!iorcs 
he  Missi  1  !;>pi. 
of  the  state  of 
,    being  ap^iir- 

westw  ard  they 
oiiri,  within  the 
nitrkahly  active 

\\  ith  groat  ;ic- 
va>  amoajj'  the 
It  low  hanks  o>' 
fiyihg  no  claims 
f  man  ;  but  con- 
id  seldom  seen, 
of  thiH  species, 
,*  is  viiy  simi- 
lort,  IroiTiulous, 
yet  heard  in  an 
idelphia,  as  late 
;y  were  still  in 
not  appear  that 

species  ;  or  he 
the  actual  bub- 
rod.  Audubon 
he  grating  of  a 
ig  is  continued 
of  the  day.t 
rally  suspended 
them   at  a  suffi- 


preceding,  with  all  dttt- 
ligsd  10  differ,  I  cannot 


n 


MARSll-WUEN. 


441 


cient  height  above  the  access  of  the  highest  tides;.  It  ia 
formed  of  wet  rushes  well  intertwisted  together,  mix- 
t'd  with  mud,  and  fashioned  into  the  form  of  a  cocoa 
nut,  having  a  small  orifice  left  in  the  side  for  entrance. 
The  inside  is  'i.ied  with  fine,  soft  grass,  sometimes  with 
feathers,  and  lUe  outside,  when  hardened  by  tiie  sun, 
resists  all  tiie  injuries  of  the  weather.  The  principal 
material  of  this  nest,  as  in  the  preceding  species,  is,  how- 
ever, according  to  Audubon,  the  leaves  of  the  sedge-grass, 
on  a  tussufk  of  wiiicii  it  also  occasionally  rests.  The  eggs 
are  commonly  (i  to  8,  of  a  dark  fawn,  or  almost  mahoga- 
ny color.  Tiie  young  quit  the  nest  about  the  Sfuh  of 
June,  and  they  generally  have  a  second  brood  in  the 
course  of  tlie  season.  F.  om  the  number  of  empty  nests 
found  in  the  vicinity  of  the  residence  of  the  Marsh 
Wren,  it  is  pretty  evident  that  it  is  »lso  much  employed 
in  the  usual  superfluous  or  capricious  labor  of  the  genus. 
The  pugnacious  character  of  the  males,  indeed,  forbids 
ihe  possibility  of  so  many  nests  being  amicably  occupied 
in  the  near  neighbourhood  in  which  they  are  commonly 
found. 

The  Mnrsh-Wren  is  a  little  more  than  4;}  inches  long.  The  tail  .a 
short,  rounded  and  barred  with  blackish  ;  the  wings  slightly  barred  ; 
the  sides  of  the  neck  are  mottled  with  touches  of  a  light  clay -color  on 
a  whitish  ground  ;  the  rnuip  is  also  faintly  spotted.  The  legs  and 
feet  are  pale  brownish  yellow,  and  large  for  the  size  of  the  bird  ;  the 
tarsus  is  j  of  an  inch  ;  the  nails  very  long,  slender,  sharp,  and  arch- 
ed ;  the  hind  one  particularly  long,  and  the  toe  itself  stout,  the  mid- 
dle toe  but  slightly  exceeds  the  lateral  ones.  The  bill  slender,  and 
greatly  curved  ;  llie  upper  mandible  dark  brown,  the  lower  testa- 
ceous, and  paler  brown  towards  the  tip.  Tongue  sharp-pointed,  at- 
tenuated, and  entire.    Iris  hazel. 


4«l 


INSECTIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


COTINGAS.     (Ampelis.     Lin.) 

In  this  family  of  birds  the  bill  is  Hliort,  Hoinewliat  depressed, 
higher  timn  it  is  wide,  linrd,  sulid,  triangular  ut  the  biise,  cniiipresg- 
ed  and  notched  at  the  point,  a  little  convex  above,  and  somewhat 
abruptly  reflected  at  the  point.  Nostrii  ■<  basal,  lateral,  rounded, 
half  way  closed  by  a  membrane,  and  thinly  covered  by  the  advanc- 
ing hairs  of  the  face.  The  /ret  of  moderate  size  ;  the  tarsus  about 
the  length,  or  shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  the  lateral  toe  united  to 
the  adjoining  up  to  the  2d  joint.  Wings  moderate  in  size,  the  1st 
quill  not  so  long  as  the  2d,  which  is  the  longest. 

These  birds  are  remarkable  for  the  brilliance  of  their  plumage,  and 
with  the  exception  of  our  Blue-iJird,  are  peculiar  to  the  warmer 
parts  of  America.  Inhabiting  the  tropics,  their  migrations  are  con- 
fined to  a  narrow  compass.  They  appear  in  numbers  twice  a  year 
in  the  vicinity  of  habitations,  but  in  the  breeding  season  associate 
only  in  pairs.  They  frequent  the  borders  of  rivulets  and  marshes, 
and  live  much  on  insects,  particularly  the  destructive  Termes.  They 
also  frequent  the  rice  fields,  devouring  the  grain  probably  while  in 
tlie  unripe  state ;  they  also  feed  on  fruits.  The  Pampadour  builda 
in  large  trees  on  the  borders  of  rivers,  and  selects  the  higher  branches, 
but  does  not  dwell  in  the  great  forests.  The  Guiraroo  utters  a  some- 
what disagreeable  cry.  Our  bird  is  also  related  to  the  section  Saxi- 
C0L«  of  Tardus,  and  particularly  to  the  Blue  Thrush,  which  it  so 
much  resembles  in  color.  This  bird  like  ours  has  sometimes  the  same 
habit  of  nesting  in  hollow  trees,  and  lays  even  pale  greenish,  spotless 
eggs  ;  more  commonly  however,  it  quits  its  wild  retreats  in  the 
mountains,  selecting  an  elevated  tower  or  steeple  for  its  nest  ;  and 
here  the  male  passes  much  of  his  time  in  song,  during  the  period  of 
incubation.  His  tones  are  rather  tender  and  plaintive  ;  while  thus 
employed  his  lively  emotions  display  tliemselves  in  action,  ''j  rises 
upwards,  erects  the  feathers  of  his  head,  spreads  his  tail,  and  flutters 
with  his  wings.  They  are  also  daring  in  the  defence  of  their  young  ; 
arrive  in  the  warmer  parts  of  Europe  in  April,  departing  at  the  close 
of  August,  and  like  our  Blue-Bird,  they  faithiuUy  return  to  the  same 
place  where  they  have  once  taken  up  their  residence  :  they  are  en- 
deared and  venerated  even  to  superstition  by  the  inhabitants.  The 
greater  length  of  the  bill,  which  is  however  of  the  same  general  form, 
opposes  its  artificial  association  with  our  Blue-Bird,  though  its  man- 


Lin.) 

lomewhat  depressed, 
t  the  base,  cniiiprpBB- 
bove,  and  somewhat 
ml,  lateral,  rounded, 
vered  by  the  advanc- 
ze  ;  the  tnrHiis  about 
lateral  toe  united  to 
erate  in  size,  the  1st 

if  their  plumage,  and 
luliar  to  the  warmer 
r  migrations  are  con- 
umbers  twice  a  year 
ling  season  associate 
rivulets  and  marshes, 
uctive  Termes.  They 
lin  probably  while  in 
he  I'anipadour  builds 
i  the  higher  branches, 
uiraroo  utters  a  some- 
i  to  the  section  Saxi- 

Thrush,  which  it  so 
g  sometimes  the  same 
pale  greenish,  spotless 

wild  retreats  in  the 
I  pie  for  its  nest  ;  and 
,  during  the  period  of 
[ilaintive ;  while  thus 
es  in  action,  ''j  rises 
Is  his  tail,  and  tluttera 
fence  of  their  young  ; 
departing  at  the  close 
lly  return  to  the  same 
sidence  :  they  are  en- 
the  inhabitants.  The 
he  same  general  form, 
Bird,  though  its  man- 


COTINOAS, 


443 


ners  are  so  strikingly  similar.  To  the  Thrushes  generally,  our  bird 
has  a  near  affinity,  and  his  song  is  nearly  similar  to  that  of  the  Amer- 
ican Robin,  hut  more  tender  and  languid  in  the  delivery.  Besides 
his  other  affniities,  he  seems  allied  to  the  Red-Hreastof  Europe  (.<>?//- 
via  rvlicrola),  as  well  as  to  the  Blue-throaltd  Warbler  (S.siilcica), 
which  are  sufficiently  distinct  from  true  Sylvias. 


Subgenus — SiAi.iA.  (Genus  SiAMA.  Swainson.) 
TJie  BiLi^  rather  robust,  short,  and  clefl  to  the  eyes,  about  as  wide 
as  high  at  the  base  ;  upper  mandible  rounded,  carinated  towards  the 
base,  notched  and  curved  at  the  tip,  the  lower  scarcely  shorter, 
straight,  compressed  at  the  sides.  Tongue  cartilaginous,  shortly 
lacerate  at  the  base,  and  emarginate  at  tlie  point.  NosxniLS  basal, 
open,  oval,  partly  obstructed  by  an  internal  tubercle,  the  nasal  fosse 
extensive  and  depressed.  Tarsus  rather  robust,  a  little  shorter  than 
the  middle  toe  ;  inner  toe  free  ;  the  hind  one  stoutest,  longer  than  the 
nail.  Jt'inifs  ratiier  long  and  acute;  Ist  and  2d  primaries  longest, 
the  3d  scarcely  shorter;  (spurious  feather  about  an  inch  long.) 

The  Blue-Bird  is  familiar  to  the  orchard,  dwells  much  in  trees, 
forming  its  nest  in  their  hollow  trunks,  with  a  coarse  lining  of  dry 
grass  or  hay  ;  it  lays  5  or  6  pale  blue  and  spotless  eggs ;  lives  on  cole- 
opterous insects,  grasshoppers,  worms,  and  berries,  in  tlie  manner  of 
the  Thrush,  and  possesses  the  same  pleasing  and  musical  voice. 
It  does  not  affect  solitude  or  retirement,  oflen  takes  possession  of  an 
artificial  box  near  the  house  or  barn,  and  flits  along  the  public  path, 
in  preference  to  the  woods  or  secluded  retreats. 


r 


BLUE-BIRD. 

(Ampclis  sialis,  "SoiiiB.      Sialia   HVAvoiiu,  Swainson.     SijMa  siuliB, 
Wilson,  i.  p.   50.    pi   :!   fig.  3.   [mnle.]     Saxicola  siatis,  Uonap. 
Ann.  Lye.  ii   p.  88.) 
Sp.  Charact.  — Blue;    uenei.,,   ferruginous  ;  the  belly  whitish. — 
Femnle  dull  blue.  —  Youns!,  dusky,  spotted  with  white  ;  beneath 
greyish  white,  clouded  with  dusky  ;  wings  and  tail  bluish. 
Tins  well  known  .iihI   familiar  favorite  inhaM^  prob- 
ably the  whole  continent  ot    America  to  the  vci  v  line  of 
the  tropics.  Some  appear  to  migrate  in  winter  to  the  Ber- 
iBudas  and  Bahama  islands,  though  m<,       f  lliose  whi-'h 
pass  the  summer  in  tlie  North  only  retire  to  the  Soutlirrii 
States,  or  the  table  land  ■  *"  Mexico.      In  South  Carolina 
and  Grorgia  they  were  r    undant  in  January  and  Tebru- 
ary,  am!  even  on  thf  V,ih  and  28th  ..f  the  former  month, 
the  weather  being   mild,  a  ffw  of  these  wanderers  war- 
bled out  'A\r-r  simple  notes  from  the  naked  limbs  of  the 
long-leaved  pines.     Some  limes  they  eveu  pass  the  winter 
in  Pennsylvania,  or  at  least   make  their  appeamnce  with 
almost   every  relenting  of   'l.c  severity  of  the   winter  or 


«liiW|-  «'«l  nl«.'«.git~-i^— 


I'AiNsoN.     SijMa  siiilis, 
Suzicola  sialis,  IJonap. 

i;  the  belly  whitish.— 
!(1  with  white;  benenth 
a  and  tail  bluish, 
orite  inhiiliiis  prob- 

to  the  viiy  line  of 
n  winter  to  the  Ber- 
lo.-i  ir  those  wlii''h 
itire  to  th<'  Southern 

In  South  Carolina 
January  and  Febru- 
.fthe  former  month, 
leso  wanderers  war- 
naked  limbs  of  the 
jven  pass  the  winter 
leir  appearnnce  with 
ty  of  the   winc^r   or 


Di.vG-ninD. 


445 


wiirm  gleam  of  thawintj  sunshine.  From  this  circum- 
8tiiii''e  of  their  roving  about  in  quest  of  their  scanty  food, 
like  the  hard-prcst^ied  and  hungry  Robin  Red-Breast,  who 
by  degrees  gains  such  courage  from  necessity,  as  to  en- 
ter the  cottage  for  liis  allowed  crumbs  ;  it  has  without 
foundation  been  supposed  that  our  Blue-Bird,  in  the  in- 
tervals of  his  absence,  passes  the  tedious  and  stormy  time 
in  a  state  of  dormancy  ;  but  it  is  more  probable  that  ho  flies 
to  some  slultered  f;lado  and  warm  and  more  ho.'ipitable 
situation,  to  glean  his  frugal  fare  from  the  berries  of  the 
cedar,  or  the  wintry  fruits  which  still  remain  ungather- 
ed  in  the  swamps.  Defended  from  the  severity  of  the 
cold,  he  now  also,  in  all  probability,  roosts  in  the  liol- 
lowp  of  decayed  trees,  a  situation  wli  ho  generally 
chooses  for  the  site  of  his  nest.  In  the  South,  at  this  un- 
promising and  gl(  'Tiy  season,  they  are  seen  to  feed  on  the 
glutinous  '  'rriesi-i  the  mistletoe,  the  green-briar,  and  the 
sumach.  Content  with  their  various  fare,  and  little  affect- 
ed by  the  extremes  of  heat  and  ci  i'l,  they  breed  and  spend 
lie  summer  from  Labrador  to  Natchez,  if  not  to  Mexico, 
where  great  elevntion  produces  the  most  i'mperate  and 
mild  of  dim  s  They  are  also  abundant  at  this  season, 
to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi,  in  the  territories  of  the 
Misso'i  I   and  Arkansas. 

In    ,,o    Tidd)    and  Northern  States,  the  return  of  the 
Blm-Bird  to  Id    '     mts  round  the    barn  and  the  or- 

chard I-  haileu  the  first  agreeable  presage  of  return- 
ing spring,  and  he  i;-  u.  'ess  a  messenger  of  grateful  tid- 
ings t<  he  farinof,  than  iin  agreeable,  familiar,  and  use- 
ful companion  to  all.  Though  sometimes  he  makes  a 
still  earlier  flitting  visit,  from  the  ^'^  to  the  middle  of 
March  he  comes  hither  as  a  permnm  *  resident,  and  is 
now  accompanied  by  his  mate,  who  ncdiately  visits 
the  box  in  the  garden,  or  the  hollow  he  decayed  or- 
38 


i'<»-'. 


ft: 


1  ■! 


i 


IN8E0TIV0R0IT8  DIRD*. 

chard  tree,  which  ha8  w-rved  as  tho  cradle  of  pr'ccding 
geiieriitiotiM  of  his  kindred.     Atlection   and   jcah.usy,  as 
in  thfj  contending  and  rel^  <d  Tlirunhc  s,  have  considcrn- 
ble  influence  over  tho  Blue-Bird.    He  lecks  perpetually 
tho  conipii   y  of  his  mate,  caresses  and  soothes  her  with 
hiH  amorous  song,  to  which  she  fiiiiilly  replies';   and,  lik". 
the  failliiiil  Kook,   seeks  occa!«ion  to  show  hi     gallantry 
by    feeding  her  with  some   favorite  insect.      If  a  rival 
make  his  appearance,  the  attack   is   instantaneous,   the 
intruder  is  driven  with    angry  chattering   from   the   pre- 
cincts  he  has  chosen,  and   he  now  returns  to  warble  out 
his  notes  of  triumph  by  the  side  of  his  cherished  consort. 
The  business  of  preparing  and  cleaning  out  the  old  nest 
or   box  now  commences;    and  even   in  October,   before 
they  bid  farewell  to  their  favorite   mansion,  on  fine  days, 
influenced  by  the  anticipation  of  the  season,  they  are 
ol'ten  observed  to  go  in  and  out  of  the  box  as  if  examin- 
ing ail''  planning  oU  their  future  dotiiicil.     Little  pains, 
however,   are   requisite  for  the   protection  of  the  hardy 
young  ;  and  a  substantiul  lining  of  hay,  and  now  and  then 
a  few  feathers,  is  all   that  is   prepared    for  the   brood  be- 
yond the  natural  shelter  .,.  Mic  chosen  situation.     As  the 
Martin  and  Hous(!   Wren  seek  out  the  favor  and  conven- 
ience of  the   box,  contests  are  not  unfreciuent  with   tlie 
parties  for  exclusive  possession  ;  and  the  latter,  in  vari- 
ous clandestine  ways,  exhibits   his  envy  and   hostility  to 
the  favored  Blue-Bird.     The  eggs  are  5  or  6,   of  a  very 
pale  blue,  and  without  spots.     As  they  are  very  prolific, 
and  constantly  pairo<!,  they  often  raise  2  and  sometimes 
probably  3  broods  in  tho  season  ;  the  male  taking  the 
youngest  under  his  affectionate  charge,  while  the  female 
is  engaged  in  the  act  of  incubation. 

Their   principal   food   consists  of  insects,  particularly 
beetles,   and  other  shelly  kinds ;    they  are   also  fond  of 


tidl'!  of  pr 'Ceding 

mid   jciiliiusy,  as 
jt,  have  coiisidcrn- 

Mccks  perpetually 
(1  Hdothca  licr  with 

rcplicB  ;  and,  like 
»liow  hi-  gnllantry 
isoct.      If  a  rival 

nstantaneous,  the 
ng  from  i\w  pre- 
uruB  to  warble  out 

cherished  consort. 
ag  out  the  old  nest 
in  October,  before 
ifion,  on  fine  days, 
B  season,  they  are 

1)0X  ns  if  cxamin- 

licil.     Little  pains, 

jtion  of  the  hardy 

,  and  now  and  then 

for  the    brood  be- 

Kituation.  As  the 
!  favor  and  conven- 
nfrc<|uent  with  the 
tiie  latter,  in  vari- 
ivy  and   hostility  to 

u  or  6,  of  a  very 
ey  are  very  prolific, 
se  2  and  sometimes 
le  male  taking  the 
re,  while  the  female 

insects,  particularly 
y  are   also  fond   of 


ULUIE-DIRP. 


447 


spiders  and  grasshoppers,  for  which  they  often,  in  com- 
pany with  their  young,  in  auiu'nn,  descend  to  the  earth, 
ia  open  pasture  fields  or  waste  grounds.  Like  our 
Thrushes,  they,  curly  in  spring,  also  collect  the  common 
wire-worm,  or  liilu.^,  for  food,  as  well  as  other  kinds  of 
insects,  which  tiiey  commonly  watch  for,  while  perched 
on  the  fences  or  low  boughs  of  trees,  and  dart  after  them 
to  the  ground  as  soon  as  perceived.  They  arc  not,  iiow- 
ever,  flycatc-iiers,  like  tiie  Si/lrias  and  Mitsiiiaiitts,  but 
are  rather  industrious  searciiers  for  subsistence,  like  the 
Thrusiies,  whoso  habits  they  wholly  resemble  in  their 
mode  of  feeding.  In  the  autumn,  they  regale  tiiemsclves 
on  various  kinds  of  berries,  as  those  of  the  sour  gum, 
wild  cherry,  and  others  ;  and  Inter  in  the  season,  as  win- 
ter approaches,  they  frequent  the  red  cedars  and  several 
species  of  sumach  for  their  berries,  eat  persimmons  in 
the  Middle  States,  and  many  other  kinds  of  fruitH,  and 
oven  merh,  the  latter  of  which  never  enter  into  the  diet 
of  the  proper  Flycatchers.  Tliey  have  also,  occasionally, 
in  a  state  of  confinement,  been  reared  and  fnd  ou  soaked 
bread  and  vegetable  diet,  on  which  they  thrive  as  well  aa 
the  Robin. 

The  song  of  the  Blue-Bird,  which  continues  almost 
uninterruptedly  from  March  to  October,  is  a  soft,  rather 
feeble,  but  delicate  and  pleasing  warble,  often  repeated 
at  various  times  of  the  day,  but  most  frequently  in  early 
«pring,  when  the  sky  is  serene,  and  the  temperature  mild 
md  I  heering.  At  this  season,  before  the  earnest  Robin 
pours  out  his  more  energetic  lay  from  the  orchard  tree  or 
fence-rail,  the  simple  song  of  this  almost  domestic  favor- 
ite is  heard  nearly  alone  ;  and  if,  at  length,  he  be  rival- 
ed, at  the  dawn  of  day,  by  superior  and  bolder  songsters, 
he  still  relieves  the  silence  of  later  hours,  by  hi  unwea- 
ried and  affectionate  attempts  to  please  and  accompany 


448 


INSECTIVOROUS  lilRDS. 


his  devoted  mate.     All  his  energy  is  poured  out  into  this 
simple  ditty,  and   with   an  ecstatic  feeling  of  delight  he 
often  raises  and  quivers  his  wings  like  the  Mocking  Or- 
pheus;  and,  amidst  his  striving  rivals  in  song,  exerts  his 
utmost  powers  to  introduce   variety  into   his  unborrowed 
and  simple  strain.  On  hearkening  some  time  to  his  notes, 
an  evident  similarity  to  the  song  of  the  Thrush  is  observ- 
able, but  the  accents  are  more  weak,   faltering,  and   in- 
clining  to    the  plaintive.     As  in  many  other  instances, 
it  is  nearly  impossible  to  give  any  approximating  idea  of 
the  expression  of  warbled  sounds  by  words,  yet  their  re- 
semblance to  some  quaint  expressions,  in  part,  may  not 
be  useless,  as  an  attempt  to  recall  to  memory  these  pleas- 
ing associations  with  native  harmony  ;  so  the  Blue-Bird, 
often,  at  the  commencement  of  his  song,  seems  tenderly 
to  call    in  a   whistled  tone  'hear  —  'Mar  buty,  bitty  ?  or 
merely  hear  —  bvty,  and  instantly  follows  this  interrogato- 
ry call  with  a  soA  and  wr.vbling  trill.  So  much  is  thia  sound 
like   that  which   they  frequently  utter,  that  on  whistling 
the  syllables  in  their  accent,  even  in  the  cool  days  of  au- 
tumn, when  they  are  nearly  silent,  they  often  resume  the 
answer  in   sympathy.     During  the  period  of  incubation, 
the  male  ')ecomes  much  more  silent,  and  utters  his  notes 
principally  in   the  morning.     More  importantly  engaged, 
in  now  occasionally  feeding  his  mate  as  well  as  himself, 
and  perhaps  desirous  of  securing  the  interesting  occupa- 
tion of  his  devoted^onsort,  he  avoids  '^etraying  the  resort 
of  his  charge   by  a  cautious  and  silent   interest  in  their 
fate.     Gentle,  peaceable,  and  familiar,  when  undisturb- 
ed, his  society  is  courted  by  every  lover  of  rural  scenery, 
and  it   is  not  uncommon  for  the  farmer  to  furnish   the 
Blue-Bird  with  a  box  as  well  as  the  Martin,  in  return  for 
the   pleasure  of  his  company,  the  destruction  he  makes 
upon  injurious  insects,  and  the  cheerfulness  of  his  song. 


s. 

mured  out  into  this 
seling  of  delight  he 
e  the  Mocking  Or- 
in  song,  exerts  his 
to  his  unborrowed 
e  time  to  his  notes, 
3  Thrush  isobserv- 
faltering,  and   in- 
ly  other  instances, 
troximating  idea  of 
rards,  yet  their  re- 
i,  in  part,  may  not 
lemory  these  pleas- 
;  so  the  Blue-Bird, 
ng,  seems  tenderly 
iar  hiity,  hiity  ?  or 
ws  this  interrogato- 
I  much  is  this  sound 
,  that  on  whistling 
he  cool  days  of  au- 
y  often  resume  the 
iod  of  incubation, 
nd  utters  his  notes 
portantly  engaged, 
is  well  as  himself, 
nteresting  occupa- 
etraying  the  resort 
It  interest  in  their 
,  when  undisturb- 
r  of  rural  scenery, 
er  (o  furnish  the 
irtin,  in  return  for 
truction  he  makes 
ilness  of  his  song. 


BLUE-BIRD. 


449 


Confident  in  this  protection,  he  shows  but  little  alarm  for 
his  undisturbed  tenement;  while,  in  the  remote  orchard, 
expecting  no  visitor  but  an  enemy,  in  company  with  his 
anxious  mate,  he  bewails  the  approach  of  the  intruder,  and 
flying  round  his  head  and  hands,  appears,  by  his  actions, 
to  call  down  all  danger  upon  himself  rather  than  suffer 
any  injury  to  arrive  to  his  helpless  brood. 

Towards  autumn,  in  the  month  of  October,  his  cheerful 
song  nearly  ceases,  or  is  now  changed  into  a  single  plain- 
tive  note  of  tshdy-wU,  while  he  passes  with   his  flitting 
companions  over  the  fading  woods  ;   and  as  his  song  first 
brought  the  welcome  intelligence  of  spring,  so  now  his  mel- 
ancholy  plaint  presages,   but   too   truly,  the   silent  and 
mournful  deciy  of  nature.  Even  when  the  leaves  have  fal- 
len, and  the  forest   no  longer  affords  a  shelter  from  the 
blast,  the  faithful  Blue-Bird  still  lingers  over  his  native 
fields,  and  only  takes  his  departure  in  November,  when,  at 
a  considerable  elevation,  in  the  early  twilight  of  the  morn- 
ing, till  the  opening  of  the  day,  they  wing  their  way  in 
small  roving  troops  to  some  milder  regions  in  the  South. 
But  yet,  after  this  period,  in  the  Middle  States,  with  every 
return  of  moderate  weather,  we  hear  his  sad  note  in   the 
fields,  or  in  the  air,  as  if  deploring  the  ravages  of  winter  ; 
and  so  frequent   are   his  visits,  that  he  may  be  said   to 
follow  fair  weather  through  all  his   wanderings  till  the 
permanent  return  of  spring. 

The  Blue-Bird  is  about  74  inciies  long.  Theafrings  remarkably  full 
and  brottd.  Abrve  a  rich  sky-blue.  Inner  vanes  of  the  quills  and  their 
shafts  dusky,  tlie  outer  blue.  Beneath  ferruginous  ;  belly  and  vent 
white.  Bill  and  legs  black.  Inside  of  the  mouth  and  soles  of  the 
feet  yellow ;  the  claws  very  sharp  Iris  golden.  —  The  female  is  of 
much  duller  colors  both  above  and  beneath ;  the  wiiole  back  and 
head,  except  the  wings,  is  almost  of  a  lead-color,  with  faint  tints 
only  of  blue.  —From  an  accidental  injury  to  the  ufjjer  mandible,  1 
have  seen  a  specimen  in  which  the  bill  was  much  lengthened  and 
nearly  crossed  as  in  the  Loxia. 
38* 


i?t 


INSECTTVOROtS   BIRDS. 


J 


Genus.  —  ANTHUS.     (Larks  of  Lin.) 

la  these  birds  the  BI1.L  is  straiffht,  slender,  cyUi.dric,  and  subulate 
liiiwiaidij  the  poimt,  with  the  ed^es  somt^what  inflected  towards  the 
and  at  the  baae  <tntiliutti  of  bristles ;  the  base  of  the  upper 
cninated.  witti  the  pnnt  slightly  notched  and  declining . 
Niwraaui  laaal,  lateral,  iMdf  cimMl  by  a.  membrane.  Feet  slender, 
tarsus  loiiger  than  the  rmiiHte  tute  ;  iiuii^  toe  free  ;  liind  toe  shortest 
wits  the  niiil  ulnaoBt  alwasTB  long,  aad  somewhat  stBuiigjut.  —  Wings 
raoierate,  no  spurious  snnber;  Ist.  iL  and  3d  pnmBO'es  longest; 
secondaries  notciiBjl  at  tip  .  2  of  the-  ■eapulars  nearly  equal  to  the 
lon4Pest  primaries.     Tail  mither  long  mod  cnaarginatB. 

The  femaic.  iuil  ijimoE:  ore  (!■■■%  nmch  like  the  aduil  male, 
who  aaaumeH  somewhat  more  heSnnt  colors  only  imtmg  a.  few 
days  of  tlie  lireeiling  Kteason.  TIm  t— *t  is  amond.  — llaee  hunk 
have  many  of  the  hohim  of  the  WafMfc  aad  also  uf  the  Loilsi ;  t^y 
sing  when  rising  on  rh*  wing  -  •±:'=  saBne  manner  as  the  laSKi. 
They  live  iiabitually  ra  the  iji  ..  -  ipe-a  places,  in  iieidB,  aari 
along  the   gravelly  border  ims  aiui  other  txadies  en   -wmet-. 

while  thus  employed  m  (.(11  __._  their  sole  insect  ibod.  tliey  iwep 
their  tails  vertically  moving  Bke'tta*  Matmcillas ;  tl»ey  also  nest  on 
the  ground,  and  most  of  the  species  leTer  alight  on  trees.  The  spe- 
cies, though  few,  are  spiead  over  t,a»»  wliole  globe. 


BROWN  OR  RED  LARK. 

{Anthus  spinoletta,  Bonap.  -J.  aquaticus,  AuanBON,  pi.  10.  Orn. 
Biog.  i  p.  49.  Alauda  rufa.  Wu.ao\-,  v.  p.  T©.  pi.  4a.  fig.  4. 
[young.]     Phil.  Museum,  So.  5138.) 

Sr.  CnAR.4CT.  —  Beneath  and  line  over  the  eye  white  ;  breast  and 
flanks  spotted  with  blackiA  ;  loil-featherH  nearly  black,  the  fmOber 
one  half  wiiite,  upi^  the  2d  and  often  upon  the  3d,  a  conic  white 
spot ;  hind  nail  long  and  curved.  —  Female  more  spotted  below. 
—  Young  dark-brown  inclining  to  olive,  with  bluckish-brown 
spots  ;  line  over  the  eye  and  beneath  pale  yellowish  rufous,  the 
breast  strongly  spotted.  —  The  oW  male,  for  a  short  time  in  the 
breeding  season,  is  below  of  a  pale  rufous  rose-color. 

This  is  a  winter  bird  of  passage  in  most  parts  of  the 
United  States,  arriving  in  loose,  scatifred  flocks  from  the 
North,  in  the  Middle  and  Eastern  States,  about  the  sec- 


^•m 


o{  Lin.) 

liiidric,  and  subulate 
ifincted  towards  the 
le  base  of  the  upper 
;cfaed  and  declining 
rane.  Feet  slender 
>e  ;  hind  toe  shortest 
it  stmiiigijit-  —  Wings 
d  imraBO-ea  longest ; 
nearly  ecfoal  to  tiie 
note. 

ike  i:be  adult  SMle. 
only  doxam^'B.  few 
[msaui.  —  These  hinhi 
o  of  the  Loirs  ;  ti^y 
anner  as  the  latter 
places,  in  iic>ld8.  aaO 
er  badieB  aj  tnaET : 
iBsct  &od.  they  ht»f 
;  ttey  olao  nest  OD 
t  on  frees.  The  «|»- 
be. 

LK. 

;ouBON,  pi.  10.  Orn. 
.  p.  19.  pi.  4a.  fig.  4. 

ye  white  ;  breast  and 
early  hliick,  the  outer 
the  3d,  a  conic  wliite 
more  spotted  below, 
with  blackish-brown 
yellowish  rufous,  the 
r  a  short  time  in  the 
)se-color. 

most  parts  of  the 
ed  flocks  from  the 
tes,  about  the  sec- 


tlUOWN  OR  RED   LARK. 


451 


ond  week  in  October.  According  to  its  well  known  hab- 
its, it  frequents  open  flats,  commons,  and  ploughed  fields, 
like  a  Lark,  running  rapidly  along  the  ground,  and  tak- 
ing by  surprise  its  insect  prey  of  (lies,  midges,  and  other 
kinds.  Tiioy  also  frequent  the  river  shores,  particularly 
where  gravelly,  in  quest  of  minute  shell-fish,  as  well  as 
aquatic  insects  and  their  larvai.  At  this  time  they  utter 
only  a  feeble  note  or  call,  like  tweet  tweet,  with  the  final 
tone  often  plaintively  prolonged,  and,  when  in  flocks, 
wheel  about  and  fly  pretty  high,  and  to  a  considerable 
distance  before  they  alight.  Sometimes  families  of  these 
birds  continue  all  winter  in  the  Middle  States,  if  the  sea- 
son prove  moderate.  In  the  Southern  States,  particu- 
larly North  and  South  Carolina,  they  appear  in  great 
flocks  in  the  depth  of  winter.  On  the  shores  of  the  San- 
tee,  in  January,  I  observed  them  gleaning  their  food 
familiarly  amidst  the  Vultures,  drawn  by  the  rubbish  of 
thv^  city  conveyed  to  this  quarter.  They  likewise  fre- 
quent the  corn-fields  and  rice-grounds  for  the  same 
purpose.  They  also  migrate  to  the  Bermudas  islands, 
Cuba,  and  Jamaica,  and  penetrate  in  the  course  of  the 
winter  even  to  Mexico,  Guiana,  and  Brazil.  They  are 
again  seen  on  their  return  to  the  North,  in  Pennsylvania 
about  the  beginning  of  May  or  earlier.  It  is  also  curi- 
ous to  remark,  that  nearly  all  the  individuals  which  thus 
flock  to  the  South  to  pass  the  winter  are  young  birds,  as 
it  does  not  appear  that  any  naturalist  in  the  United 
States  is  yet  acquainted  with  the  white-hxevisiei.  or  adult 
bird.  So  strong  is  the  predilection  of  this  species  for 
rocky  coasts,  that  in  Holland  they  are  known  only  to  fre- 
quent the  artificial  break-waters  which  are  made  of  large 
stones. 

The  Red   Lark    (or   Prpit,  from   its  querulous  note,) 
raphes  its  nest  in  mountainous  countries,  even  upon  the 


1': 


3-  m^ 


462 


INSECTIVOROUS    BIRDS. 


Sterile  plains  of  those  which  are  most  elevated,  as  the 
Pyrenees  and  others  ;  more  rarely  in  salt  marshes,  or 
in  tufts  of  grass  on  shelving  rocks  near  the  sea.  This 
fabric  is  made,  in  the  fissures  of  cliffs,  of  dry  grass,  and  a 
little  moss,  lined  with  finer  blades  of  the  former  and  a 
few  long  hairs.  The  eggs  are  4  or  5,  of  a  sullied  white, 
covered  with  small  brown  spots,  collected  chiefly  towards 
the  larger  end.  The  younger  birds,  or  Dusky  Lark, 
breed  on  the  sea-coast  of  the  South  of  England. 

This  species  is  about  7  inches  long.  LegE  chesnut.  Lower  man- 
dible straight  and  livid,  the  upper  blackish.  Eye  hazel.  Above  (in 
tlie  adult)  greyish-brown,  with  a  darker  shade  in  the  centre  of  each 
feather.  Small  coverts  of  the  wings  bordered  and  edged  with  grey- 
ish-white. Spots  of  the  breast,  pale  greyish-brown.  In  the  ycung 
the  spots  below  are  dark  and  conspicuous,  and  the  2  bands  on  tlie 
wings  are  of  a  greyish-brown  ;  upon  the  Ist  and  2d  primaries  there 
is  also  a  large  spot  of  white. 


u 


elevated,  as  the 
salt  marshes,  or 
ir  the  sea.  This 
■  dry  grass,  and  a 
the  former  and  a 
r  a  sullied  white, 
d  chiefly  towards 
or  Dusky  Lark, 
ngland. 

esnnt.  Lower  man- 
e  liazel.  Above  (in 
n  the  centre  of  each 
nd  edged  with  grey- 
rown.  In  the  ycung 
the  2  bands  on  the 
id  2d  primaries  there 


ORDER    FOURTH. 


GRANIVOROUS  or  PASSERINE  BIRDS. 

In  these  the  bill  is  strong,  short,  thick,  more  or  less 
conic,  and  advancing  back  upon  the  forehead  ;  the  ridge 
of  the  upper  mandible  is  usually  samewhat  flattened,  and 
both  portions  of  the  bill  are  generally  without  the  toothed 
notch.  The  foci  are  arranged  with  three  of  the  toes  for- 
ward and  one  backward,  and  the  anterior  digits  are 
divided.     The  wings  are  of  moderate  dimensions. 

The  general  habits  of  this  numerous  order  of  birds 
are  to  live  in  pairs,  until  by  instinct  they  assemble  to- 
gether and  migrate  in  numerous  troops.  According  to 
the  climates  they  happen  to  inhabit,  they  are  either  seden- 
tary, or  birds  of  passage.  The  greater  number  migrate 
periodically,  or  sometimes  only  accidentally  from  coun- 
tries unequally  subjected  to  the  influence  of  frost.  Their 
nourishment  consists  princip.illy  of  grain  and  seeds,  from 
which  they  usually  shell  the  husk.  Inrects  principally 
constitute  their  food  during  the  time  they  are  engaged 
in  raising  their  progeny,  and  their  young  are  fed  wholly 
on  this  kind  of  diet ;  all  of  them,  when  adult,  may  be 
nourished  with  seeds  in  a  state  of  captivity.  Anr^ong  all 
the  feathered  race,  after  the  Pigeons  and  Gallinaceous 
birds,  these  associate  the  most  freely  with  man,  and  are 
very  susceptible  of  being  trained  to  a  domestic  state.  — 


454  GRANIVOROUS  BIROS. 

In  a  few  of  the  European  species  the  moult  is  double, 
but  the  greater  number  of  kinds,  inhabiting  other  coun- 
tries, usually  undergo  this  double  change.  The  males, 
among  some  of  the  species,  put  on  extraordinary  nuptial 
ornaments,  while  others,  on  this  occasion,  are  decorated 
with  a  brilliant-colored  plumage  ;  all  of  them,  however, 
in  the  winter  season,  assume  the  humble  garb  of  the 
female,  These  remarkable  changes  take  place  chiefly 
among  those  species  which  inhabit  the  warmer  countries, 
as  but  few  of  the  species  in  the  United  States,  any  more 
than  in  Europe,  undergo  this  external  transformation. 
Many  of  them  are  distinguished  for  the  melody  of  their 
song ;  and  some  for  their  extraordinary  docility  in  edu- 
cation. 


w 


LARKS.     (Alauda,  Lin.) 

In  these  the  bill  is  straight,  rather  short,  and  in  the  form  almost 
rfon  extended  cone ;  the  upper  mandible  convex  and  entire,  slightly 
cxirved,  and  nearly  of  equil  length  with  the  lower.  Nostrils  at  the 
base  of  the  bill,  oval,  and  covered  by  the  advancing  feathers  of  the 
forehead.  Tongue  bifid.  Fekt,  toes  free,  hind  nail  nearly  straight, 
and  generally  longer  tlian  the  toe.  —  fVings  of  moderate  extent,  th 
spurious  feather  very  short  or  wanting ;  the  2d  and  3d  primaries 
longest,  tlie  first  scarcely  shorter ;  secondaries  emargmated  ;  two  of 
the  scapulars  nearly  as  long  as  the  primaries.  The  tail  is  usually 
forked.  Feathers  of  the  head  more  or  less  elongated  and  capable  of 
erection.  —  Female  and  young  scorcely  different  from  'he  adult  male. 

These  birds  live  in  flocks  or  families,  dwelling  on  the  ground,  on 
w.  h  they  form  their  nests  ;  they  have  als  .  the  habit  of  dusting 
thtiuselves  by  fluttering  on  the  earth;  they  feed  on  seeds,  and 
rarely  on  insects ;  fly  well,  run  with  rapidity,  and  sing  briskly  as 
they  rise  almost  perpendicularly  into  the  air.  The  moult  is  annual. 
Their  flesh  is  esteemed  ;  and  the  species  are  spread  almost  over  the 
whole  globe. 


SHORE  LARK. 


456 


moult  is  double, 
iting  other  coun- 
ige.  The  males, 
lordinary  nuptial 
m,  are  docorated 
'  them,  however, 
ible  garb  of  the 
ike  place  chiefly 
warmer  countries, 
States,  any  more 
,1  transformation. 

melody  of  their 
If  docility  in  edu- 


d  in  the  form  almost 
X  and  entire,  slightly 
er.  No9TRii.s  at  the 
icing  feathers  of  the 
I  nail,  nearly  straight, 
moderate  extent,  th 
2d  and  3d  priinorias 
emarginatcd ;  two  of 
.  The  tail  is  usually 
crated  and  capable  of 
,  from  die  adult  male, 
g  Oil  the  ground,  on 
tlie  habit  of  dusting 
■  feed  on  seeds,  and 
,  and  sing  briskly  as 
The  moult  is  annual, 
pread  almost  over  the 


SHORE  LARK. 

(Alauda  alp  stris,  Lin.  Wilson,  i.  p.  86.  pi.  5.  fig.  4.  [female].  PhiL 
Museum,  No.  5190.) 

Sp.  Chakact.  —  Reddish-grey,  inclining  to  brown;  beneath,  except 
the  sides,  whitish ;  throat  and  stripe  over  the  eye  pale-yellow  ; 
a  broad  patch  on  the  breast,  and  another  under  and  through  each 
eye,  with  the  lateral  tail-feathers  black ;  the  two  outer  exteriorly 
white. — Fenwlc  with  the  front  y el lowiaii,  and  with  black  and 
brown  on  the  top  of  the  head,  the  black  collar  on  the  tliroat  small- 
er, and  the  tail  terminated  by  a  narrow  whitisii  band. 

This  beautiful  spocies  is  common  to  the  north  of  both 
the  old  and  new  continent,  but,  as  in  some  other  instan- 
ces already  remarked,  the  Shore  Lark  extends  its  migra- 
tions much  further  over  America  than  over  Europe  and 
Asia.  Our  bird  was  met  with  in  the  Arctic  regions  by 
the  late  adventurous  voyagers,  and  Mr.  Bullock  saw 
them  in  the  winter  around  the  city  of  Mexico,  so  that 
in  their  migrations  over  this  continent  they  spread  them- 
selves across  the  whole  habitable  Northern  hemisphere  to 
the  very  equator  ;  while  in  Europe,  according  to  the  care- 
ful observations  of  Temmi-  i.x,  they  are  unknown  to  the 
south  of  Gei  many.  Pallas  mi  ,  th  these  birds  round 
Lake  Baikal  and  on  the  Wolga,  >  the  53d  degree  of  lati- 
tude. Westward  they  have  also  been  seen  in  the  inte- 
rior of  the  United  States,  along  the  shores  of  the  i\its- 
souri. 

As  yet  the  nest  of  this  waadering  species  ia  "inkizown 
and  must  probably  be  sought  only  in  the  coldf  t  j.ud 
most  desolate  of  regions.  They  arrive  in  the  Nui  them 
and  Middle  States  late  in  the  fall  or  commencement  of 
winter,  in  New  England  they  are  seen  early  in  October 
and  disappear  generally  on  the  approach  of  the  deep  storms 
of  snow,  though  straggling  parties  are  still  found  nearly 
throughout  the  winter.     In  the  other  States  to  the  South 


'■;} 


il 


I. 


MB 


lylilii^ 


466 


ORANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


they  are  more  common  at  this  season,    and  arc  particu- 
larly numerous  in  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  frequent- 
ing open  plains,  old  fields,  common  grounds,  and  the  dry 
shores  and  banks  of  hays  and  rivers,  keeping  constantly  on 
the  ground,  and  roving  about  in  families  under  the  guid- 
ance of  the  older  birds,  who,  watching  for  any  approaching 
danger,  give  the  alarm  to  the  young  in  a  plaintive  call,  very 
similar  to  that  which  is  uttered   by   the  Sky-Lark  in  the 
same  circumstances.  Inseparable  in  all  their  movements, 
like  the  hen  and  her  fostered  chickens,  they  roost  together 
in  a  close   ring  or  company,  by  the  mere  edge  of  some 
sheltering  weed  or  tuft  of  grass  on  the  dry   and   gravelly 
ground  ;    and,  thickly  and  waimly   clad,  they  abide  the 
frost  and  the   stoim   with   hardy  indifference.     They  fly 
rather  high  and  loose,  in  scattered  companies,  and  follow 
no  regular  time  of  migration,  but  move  onward  only  as 
their  present  resources   begin  to  fiiil.     They  are  usually 
fat,  esteemed  as  food,  and  are  frequently  seen  exposed  for 
sale   in  our  markets.     Their  diet,  as  usual,  consists  of 
various   kinds  of  seeds  which  still  remain  on  the  grass 
and  weeds  they  frequent,   and  they   also   swallow  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  gravel  to  assist  their  digestion.  They 
also  collect  the  eggs  and  dormant  larvfE  of  insects  when 
they  fall  in  their  way.     About  the  middle  of  March  they 
retire  to  the  North,  and  are  seen    about  the  beginning  of 
May  round  Hudson's  Bay,  after   which  they  are  no  more 
observed  till   the  return  of  autumn.     They    are   said  to 
sing  well ;  rising  into  the    air   and  warbling  as  they   as- 
cend, in  the  manner  of  the  Sky-Lark  of  Europe. 

The  lent,  ''  of  the  Shore  Lark  is  something  more  than  7  inches, 
and  the  alar  extent  about  12.  A  broad  fan-shaped  pollion  of  black  on 
the  breast,  in  which  as  well  as  in  the  black  spot  beneath  the  eye,  the 
feathers  are  slenderly  edged  witli  pule  yellow  ;  back  of  tlie  neck  and 
towards  the  Hhoulders  greyish-brown,  tinged  with  obscure  rose-red. 
Lesser  coverts  of  the  wings  bright  cinnamon  ;   greater  wing-coverta 


I    I 


and  arc  particu- 
iieorgia,  frequent- 
Hids,  and  the  dry 
»ing  constantly  on 
s  under  tic  guid- 
r  any  approaching 
)huutivc  call,  very 

Sky-Lark  in  the 
their  movements, 
hey  roost  together 
ere  edge  of  some 
dry  and  gravelly 
i,  they  abide  the 
^rence.  They  fly 
lanies,  and  follow 
c  onward  only  as 

They  are  usually 
/  seen  exposed  for 

usual,  consists  of 
lain  on  the  grass 
30  swallow  a  con- 
ir  digestion.  They 
E  of  insects  when 
[lie  of  March  they 
t  the  beginning  of 
I  they  are  no  more 
They  are  said  to 
bling  as  they  as- 
f  Europe. 

r  more  than  7  inches, 
led  portion  of  black  on 
t  beufath  the  eye,  the 

back  of  tlie  neck  and 
with  obscure  rose-reu. 

greater  wing-coverts 


BUNTINGS.  457 

the  «ame,  interiorly  dusky  and  tipt  with  whitish  ;  back  and  wings 
rufous-grey,  the  feathers  each  with  a  dusi  ■  .  ntre ;  primaries  dusky, 
tipt  and  edged  with  whitiah  ;  secondaries  •  oadly  edged  with  pale 
drab,  and  widely  notched  at  the  tips.  Tail  black  and  forked,  tlie  two 
middle  feathers  reddish-grey  centered  with  dusky,  the  two  outer 
with  the  exterior  webs  white ;  breast  with  a  dusky  vinous  tinge  and 
marked  with  very  faint  greyish  spots.  Sides  streaked  witli  pale  red- 
dish-grey. Belly  and  vent  white.  Bill  dusky.  Tongue  truncate 
an'l  bifid.  Legs  and  claws  black.  Hind-heel  very  long  and  almost 
straight.  Iris  hazel.  —  Above  the  eye-brow  on  either  side  of  the  head 
there  is  a  tuft  of  long  black  feathers  which  the  bird  has,  at  will,  the 
power  of  erecting  like  the  horns  of  the  owl. 


BUNTINGS.  (Emberiza,  Lin.) 
Ii»  these  the  Bill  is  short,  robust,  conio,  somewhat  compressed 
and  without  notcii ;  the  margins  contracted  inward,  a  little  angular 
near  the  base  ;  the  upper  mandible  roun<'ed  above,  acute,  smaller 
and  narrower  than  the  lower  ;  the  palate  ith  a  longitudinal  bony 
tubercle  :  the  lower  mandible  rounded  beneath  and  very  acute.  Nos- 
trils basal,  small,  partly  covered  by  the  feathers  of  the  forehead. 
Tarsus  about  equal  to  the  middle  toe  ;  the  lateral  toes  equal ;  outer 
united  at  base  to  the  middle  one.  Wings,  first  primary  almost  equal 
to  tlie  2d  and  3d  whicli  are  longest.     Tail  even  or  emarginate. 

The  female  differs  from  the  male.  The  i/oun^  resemble  the  female, 
but  are  darker  and  more  deeply  spotted.  The  European  and  North 
American  species  moult  annually.  They  live  in  pairs,  or  move  in 
small  families,  and  feed  on  farinaceous  seeds,  and  sometimes  on  in- 
sects, which  they  kill  previous  to  swallowing.  They  build  amidst 
low  bushes  and  grass  ;  are  somewhat  musical,  and  breed  several 
times  a  year  ;  the  eggs  being  4  to  G.  They  extend  themselves  widely 
in  temperate  climates. 

30 


!!  m 


4M 


(iRANivoROUS  Binn«. 


SNOW-BUxNTINU. 

(Emberixa  nivaU.,  L.n.  W....on,  iii.  p.  36.  pi.  21.  fig.  3.  [rem«l«  . 

winter  dreBHj.     Phil.  Mu«cuni,  No.  5900.) 
Sp  Chaka.  .  .-QuillH  white  on  the  lower  part,  black  upwnr.U;  toil 
black,  the  3  lateral  feathers  white,  tipt  with  blackish      mud  nail 
rather  short  and  curve.l.  -  .Ma/c  ir,   l-.U  dress,  with  the  head 
neok,and  beneath   white. -In  the  female,  young,  and  male  in 
winter  dress,  the  white  parts  are  tinged  with  rufous. 
Tins  messcnj^cr  of  culd   and   stormy   uoalher   chi-flv 
inhabh.s   the  higher   regions  of  the   arctic   circle,   U 
whence,   as  the  severity  of  the  winter  threatens,   lii.  y 
migrate,  indifferently   over  Europe,   Ea-tern    Asia,    and 
the    United    States.     On   their  way  to  the  South,    'bey 
appear  round  Hudson's  Bay    in    September,  and  stay  till 
the   frosts  of  November   again  oblige   them  to  seek  out 
warmer  quarters.     Early  in  December,   they  make  their 
descent   into  the    Northern    States    in    whirling    roving 
flocks,  either  imi  .ediately  before,  or  soon  after,  an  inun- 
dating fall  of  sue  w.     Amidst  the   drifts,    and  as  they  ac- 
cumulate with  t)  e  blast,  flocks  of  these  iUwarsfogrl,  or 
7,ut;.ueather  bird  ,  of  the  Swede  ,   like  the  spirits  of  the 
Avr.rin   are  to  be  scon  flitting  about  in  restless  and  hungry 
xr.'..at.s,  at  times  resting   on  the   wooden   fencp«,  though 
bKi  ,'or  an  instant,  as,   like  the  congenial  Tartar  hordes 
of  !!ieir  natal  region.s,  they  appear  now  to  have  no  other 
object  in  view,  but  an  escape  from  famine,  and  to  carry 
on  a  general  system  of  forage  while  thi"/   happen  to  stay 
in  the  vicinity.    At  times,  pressed  by  Hunger,  they  alight 
near  the  door  of  the  cottage,  and   approach  the  barn,  or 
even  venture  into  the  out-houses  in  quest  of  dormant 
insects,  seeds,  or  crumbs  wherewith  to   allay  their  hun- 
ger ;    they  are   still,   however,  generally  plump  and  fat, 
and  in  some  countries  much  esteemed  for  the  table.     In 
fine   weather  they  appear   less  restless,  somewhat  more 


BNO      -BUNTIN 


459 


!l.  Tig.  a.  [ft-malaiu 

5900.) 

,  black  upwordu  ■,  tail 
binokitili  Uiml  nail 
•ess,  with  the  hfaH 

young,  and  male  in 
I  rufous. 

weather  cliif'fly 
ctic  circle,  I'runi 
r  threatens,  tii(  y 
a-tern   Asia,   and 

the  South,  iioy 
jber,  and  stay  till 
them  to  seek  out 

they  make  their 

whirling  roving 
on  after,  an  inun- 
i,  and  as  they  ac- 
3C  illwarsfogfl,  or 
3  the  spirits  of  the 
estless  and  hungry 
en  fences,  thn\igh 
lial  Tartar  hordes 

to  have  no  other 
nine,  and  to  carry 
ley  happen  to  stay 
hunger,  they  alight 
jroach  the  barn,  or 
quest  of  dormant 
to  allay  their  hun- 
illy  plump  and  fat, 
i  for  the  table.  In 
ss,  somewhat  more 


familiar,    and   o<  ca»K>p      v,  even   at   this    season,   they 
chant  oil'    a  few  unconmcted   notes   as   they   <urvey  the 
happier  t.ice  of  nature.     At  the  period  of  incubation  they 
are  said  to    in^   agr     ably,   '   it   .ppear  to  seek  out  the 
nrnst  desolni*    regions  of  the  cheerless  north  in  whicii  to 
waste  the  sweetness  of  their  melody,  unheard  by  any  ear 
but  that  of  til    r  mates.     In  the  dreary  wastes  of  (■       n- 
land,  the  naki      l.  ipland  Alps,   and    the  scarcely  haoita- 
ble  "^i   '    berjf.-n,   bound   with  eternal  ice,  they   pass  tli 
season  of  reproduction,  seeking  out  the  fissures  of  i    i 
on  the  mountains  in  which  to  fix  tlieir  nests,  about  tl 
month  (iC  May   or   .June      The  exterior  of  this  fabric 
made  of  dry  "rass,  with  feathers,  and    the  lining  is  ^^ 
ally  obtained  fr>in  the  scattered  down  of  the  Arctic  Fox. 
'he  eggs  are  said  to  be  5,  obtuse,   whitish,  marked  with 
numerous  spots  of       own  and  grey.     A   (oav   are  known 
to  breed  in  the  al  ilivities  of  the  White  Mountains 

of  New  Hampshi  •  nest  is  here  fixed  on  the  ground 

in  the  shelter  of  low  ,)ushes,  and  formed  nearly  of  the 
same  tnaterials  as  that  of  the  Common  Song-Sparrow.* 
In  Europe  these  birds  sometimes  migrate  in  winter  in 
such  numbers  into  Sweden,  Siberia,  Russia,  and  the 
Scottish  Highlands,  as  nearly  to  cover  the  country  for  a 
great  extent.  They  are  less  numerous  in  Britain,  and 
chiefly  remain  in  the  JVorth ;  they  also  visit  Germany, 
Holland,  France,  and  some  parts  of  Italy.  At  times 
they  proceed  as  far  south  in  the  United  States  as  the 
state  of  Moryland.  They  are  here  generally  known  by 
the  name  of  the  White  Snow-bird,  to  distinguish  them 
from  the  more  common  dark-bluish  Sparrow,  so  called. 
They  vary  in  their  color,   acccording   to  age  and  season. 


*  For  tliia  intcrciiting  i  iroimation,  I  am  inilobtod  to  '"right  lie  Ksq.  who  acci- 
dentally founil  a  noat  of  f.iia  apocios,  about  the  middloof  July  (ISDi;,  then  containing 
young. 


t  'i 


m  \ ' 


fffi 


400 


OHANIVOBOUB  niRDS. 


and  have  always  a  great  prcdoniinaiico  of  white  in  their 
pluniugo. 

Tho  Suow-Biiiuings  are  seen  in  spring  to  asM-mble 
in  Norway  and  its  islands  in  great  numbers;  and,  after  a 
stay  of  al)OUt  three  weeks,  they  disappear  for  the  season, 
and  migrate  across  the  arctic  oct  an  to  the  furthest  known 
land.  On  their  return  in  winter  to  tho  Scottish  High- 
lands their  flights  are  said  to  be  immense,  mingling,  by 
an  aggregating  close  flight,  almost  into  the  form  of  a  ball, 
so  as  to  present  a  very  fatal  and  successful  mark  for 
the  fowler.  They  arrive  lean,  but  soon  become  fat;  in 
Austria  they  are  caught  in  snares  or  traps,  and,  when 
fed  with  millet,  become  equal  to  tlie  Ortolan  in  value 
and  flavor.  When  caged,  they  siiow  a  very  wakeful  dis- 
position, instantly  hopping  about  in  the  night  when  a  light 
is  produced.  Indulgence  in  this  constant  train  of  action, 
and  perpetual  watchfulness,  may  perhaps  have  its  influ- 
ence on  this  species,  in  the  selection  of  their  breeding 
places  within  the  arctic  regions,  where,  for  months,  they 
continue  to  enjoy  a  perpetual  day. 

The  food  of  these  birds  consists  of  various  kinds  of 
seeds,  and  the  larvm  of  insects  ami  minute  shell-fish  ;  the 
seeds  of  aquatic  plants  are  also  sometimes  sought  by  them, 
and  I  have  found  in  their  stomachs  those  of  the  Ruppia, 
species  of  Polygonum,  and  gravel.  In  a  state  of  confine- 
ment they  shell  and  eat  oats,  millet,  hemp-seed,  and 
green  peas,  which  they  split.  They  rarely  perch,  and, 
like  Larks,  live  much  on  the  ground. 

The  Snow-Bunting  is  about  74  inches  in  length.  'Hie  old  male  in 
summer  dress  has  the  head,  neck,  and  all  the  lower  parts,  as  well  as 
the  lesser  wing-coverts,  and  the  inferior  half  of  the  quills  of  a  pure 
white.  Upper  part  of  the  back,  the  3  secondary  feathers  of  the 
wings  neatest  to  the  body,  the  bastard  wing,  and  the  upper  half 
of  the  quills,  black.  The  3  lateral  feathers  of  the  tail  white,  with 
black  marks  towards  their  enas,  the  4th  white  on  the  upper  part  of 


n^m 


>f  white  in  their 


ing  to  asapmble 
crs ;  and,  after  a 
r  for  the  .icason, 
c  fiirllu-Mt  itnown 
B  Scottish  High- 
w,  mingling,  by 
hefurni  of  a  ball, 
jcessful  mark  for 

become  fat ;  in 
nips,  and,  when 
Ortolan  in  value 
very  wakeful  di^- 
liglit  when  alight 
It  triiin  of  action, 
|)a  have  its  influ- 
if  thfiir   breeding 

for  months,  they 

various  kinds  of 
He  shell-fish ;  the 
s  sought  by  them, 
le  of  the  lluppia, 
I  state  of  confine- 
hcmp-seed,  and 
irely  perch,  and. 


th.  'I'lie  old  male  in 
wer  parts,  as  well  as 
'  the  quills  of  a  pure 
dary  feathers  of  the 
and  the  upper  half 
tlie  tail  white,  with 
on  the  upper  part  of 


^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


Ui 


110 


Ik 
22 

1.8 


1.25      1.4   1  1.6 

■^ 

6"     

^ 

1       W  ^'^    ^  //^^y 


0/1 


•mlLui. 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


; 


% 


L. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


1 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


TS 


SNOW-BUNTINO.  4^1 

the  outer  vane  ;  the  other  tail-feathers  black.  Bill  yellow,  blackish 
towards  tiie  point.  Feet  and  claws  black.  Iris  deep  brown.  —  In 
the  female  all  the  wliite  of  the  head,  neck,  and  tiie  region  of  the  ears 
shaded  witli  chesnut-brown  inclining  to  tawny  ;  a  sort  of  half  collar 
on  the  breast  of  the  same  color.  The  black  feathers  of  the  back  and  the 
secondaries  nearest  to  the  body  are  all  terminated  with  rufous-white ; 
the  quills  and  middle  tail-feathers  are  edged  and  terminated  with 
whitish ;  the  rest  of  the  plumage  is  as  in  the  male. 

lyintcr  plumage ;  the  adult  male  in  autumn  is  clad  in  the  livery  of 
the  female.  All  the  black  feathers  of  the  back,  the  wings,  and  the 
tail,  have  then  a  wide  border  of  ferruginous-grey  ;  the  head,  neck, 
temples,  and  the  breast  are  stained  with  liglit  rusty ;  upon  the  rump 
and  tail-coverts  are  spread  some  touches  of  brown  and  rulous.  The 
greater  part  of  the  rufous  and  reddish-cinereou;;  tints  at  length  dis- 
appear by  tiie  action  of  the  air,  and  by  the  v^earing  of  the  ends  of  the 
feathers,  so  that  the  male  by  spring  appears  such  as  he  is  described 
above. 

37(6  young  of  the  year,  such  as  they  appear  when  emigrating  in 
autumn,  have  the  crown  the  color  of  cinnamon,  the  auriculars,  throat, 
and  wide  collar  on  the  breast  of  a  deep  rufous,  the  flanks  the  same 
but  paler ;  the  eyebrows  and  fore  part  of  the  neck  of  a  whitish  cine- 
reous ;  back  of  tlie  neck  greyish-rufous  ;  the  black  featliers  above 
are  deeply  bordered  witli  daik-rufous ;  only  the  middle  of  the  wing 
and  its  lower  parts  of  a  pure  white  ;  the  quills  and  middle  tail-feath- 
ers bordered  with  pale  rufous ;  the  three  lateral  tail-feathers  have 
each  a  large  black  spot.  Tlio  bill  yellowish.  —  It  vi'ries  some- 
times to  pure  white,  yellowish  white,  or  with  the  plumage  irreg- 
ularly marked  with  brown  and  black. 


BLACK-THROATED  BUNTING. 

(Emberizaamcricana,  \\iLso:i,'\..  p.  54.  pi.  .3.  fig.  2.  [male].  Frinirilla 
americuna,  Bonap.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  51152.) 

Sp.  CifARACT.  —  The  breast,  line  over  the  eye,  and  a*  the  lower  an- 
gle of  the  bill,  yellow ;  chin  white  ;  throat  with  a  black  patch ; 

above,  chiefly   dull   ferruginous  varied  witli   blackish Female 

with  little  or  no  black  on  the  breast,  nor  yellow  over  the  eye. 

These  birds  arrive  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  England, 
from  the  South,  about  the  middle  of  May,  and  abound  in 
the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  where  they  seem  to  prefer 
39» 


402 


GRANIVOROUS  niROS. 


level  fields,  building  their  nests  on  the  ground,  chiefly 
of  fine  withered  grass.  The  eggs  arc  5  and  white,  with 
specks  and  lines  of  dark  brown  or  blackish.  They  also 
inhabit  the  prairies  of  Missouri,  the  state  of  New  York, 
the  remote  northern  regions  of  Hudson's  Bay,  and  are 
not  uncommon  in  this  part  of  New  England,  dwelling 
here,  however,  almost  exclusively  in  the  high,  fresh  mead- 
ows near  the  salt  marshes.  Their  song,  simple  and  mo- 
notonous, according  to  Wilson,  consists  only  of  five  notes, 
or  rather  two  ;  the  first  being  repeated  twice  and  slowly, 
the  second  thrice  and  rapidly,  resembling  Is/isp  tship,  tshe 
tshc  tshe*  ;  with  us  their  call  is  'tic  'tic  — tshe  tahe  tshe 
tship,  and  tship  tship,  tshe  tshe  tshe  tship.  From  their  ar- 
rival nearly  to  their  departure,  or  for  two  or  three  months, 
this  note  is  perpetually  heard  from  every  level  field  of  grain 
or  grass  ;  both  sexes  also  often  mount  to  the  top  of  some 
low  tree  of  the  orchard  or  meadow,  aii<l  tiiere  continue  to 
cherup  forth  in  unison  their  simple  ditty  for  an  hour  at 
a  time.  While  thus  engaged,  they  may  be  nearly  ap- 
proached without  oxliibiting  any  appearance  of  alarm  or 
suspicion,  and  though  the  species  appears  to  be  numer- 
ous, they  live  in  harmony,  and  rarely  display  any  hos- 
tility to  the  birds  around  them  or  amongst  each  other. 
In  August  they  become  mute,  and  about  the  beginning 
of  September  depart  for  the  South,  wintering  probably 
in  some  part  of  Mexico,  as  they  are  not  seen  in  the 
Southern  States  at  any  period  of  the  winter.  Their  food 
consists  of  seeds,  eggs  of  insects,  and  gravel,  and  in  the 
early  part  of  summer,  they  subsist  much  upon  caterpillars 
and  small  coleopterous  insects  ;  they  are,  also,  one  among 
the  many  usual  destroyers  of  the  ruinous  canker-worm. 

This  species  is  about  6  inches  in  lengtli.      Tiie  upper  part  of  the 
head   is  of  a   dusky  greenisli-yellow ;    the   neck  dark   ash ;  inside 


*  Tlii>  no*r   I  beliovo,  moro  properly  belongs  to  the  Grass  Finch. 


-""^- 


e  ground,  chiefly 
5  and  white,  with 
kish.  They  also 
te  of  New  York, 
m's  Bay,  and  are 
ngland,  dwelling 
high,  fresh  mead- 
:,  simple  and  mo- 
only  of  five  notes, 
twice  and  slowly, 
g  ts/isp  tship,  tske 

—  tshe  tshe  tshe 
p.  From  their  ar- 
)  or  three  months, 
ovel  field  of  grain 
3  the  top  of  some 
there  continue  to 
tty  for  an  hour  at 
ay  be  nearly  ap- 
ancc  of  alarm  or 
ars  to  be  numer- 
'  display  any  hos- 
ngst  each  other, 
ut  the  beginning 
Dtering  probably 
not  seen  in  the 
liter.  Their  food 
;ravel,  and  in  the 

upon  caterpillars 
i,  also,  one  among 
us  canker-worm. 

lie  upper  part  of  the 
ck  dark   ash;  inside 


he  Gross  Finch. 


LAPLAND  LONGSPUR. 


463 


Bhoulders  of  the  wing  yellow.  Wings  dimky-brown,  edged  with 
paler;  lesser  coverts  and  whole  shoulder  of  the  wing  bright  bay. 
Belly  and  vent  dull  wliite.  Bill  bluish,  dusky  above.  Legs  and 
feet  light  brown.    Iris  hazel. 


Subgenus.  —  Plectrophanes.     Bonap. 

In  these  the  liind  nail  is  long  and  sometimes  almost  straight.  The 
tubercle  of  IUh  palatf,  not  very  conspicuous.  First  and  second  pri- 
maries longest. —  Though  they  moult  only  annually,  the  plumage 
assumes  a  difference  from  age  and  exposure,  as  the  tips  of  the  feath- 
ero  wear  away.  —  They  live  in  open  countries,  plains,  and  mountains, 
in  desert  regions,  and  never  seek  the  slielter  of  tha  thicket  or  the 
forest ;  they  likewise,  in  common  witli  Larks,  which  they  resemble 
in  habits,  and  the  length  of  the  hind  nail,  run  with  rapidity. 


LAPLAND  LONGSPUR. 

{Emberiza  lajiponica,  Nilsso.v.  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  ii.  p.  L  pi.  13. 
fig.  1.  [male.]  fig.  2.  [young  female.] 

Sp.  CiiAHACT.  —  Quills  l)lack  ;  2  outer  tail-feathers  bi,,  v  sh-black, 
with  a  white  spot  at  tip  ;  hind  nail  very  long,  straight.  — Mult 
male,  head  and  breast  black;  beneath  white ;  neck  above  bright 
rufous.  — Mule  in  winter,/cma/e  and  young,  blackish  skirted  with 
rufous,  beneath  white. 

Tins  species  generally  inhabits  the  desolate  arctic  re- 
gions of  both  continents.  In  the  United  States  a  few 
stragglers  from  the  greater  body  show  themselves  in  win- 
ter in  the  remote  and  unsettled  parts  of  Maine,  Miciiigan, 
and  the  North-Wcstern  Territory.  Large  flocks  also  at 
times  enter  the  Union,  and  contrary  to  their  usual  prac- 
tice of  resting  and  living  wholly  on  the  ground,  occa- 
sionally alight  on  trees.  In  Europe,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  inclement  season,  they  penetrate  into  Ger- 
many, France,  England  and  Switzerland,  but  in  all  these 
countries  the  old  birds  are  never  seen.  Flocks  like 
clouds  descend  sometimes  into  the  north  and  middle  of 
Germany  in  the  fall  and  winter,  and  rarely  in  the  spring. 


|V 


.,. 


I 


JtdM 


464 


OHANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


They  leave  the  colder  arctic  deserts,  in  the  autumn,  and 
are  found  around  Hudson's  Bay  in  winter,  not  mak- 
ing their  appearance  there  before  November.  Near  Sev- 
ern river  tliey  haunt  the  cedar  trees,  upon  whose  berries 
they  now  principally  feed.  They  live  in  large  flocks,  and 
are  so  gregarious  that  when  separated  from  their  own 
species,  or  in  small  parties,  they  usually,  in  Europe,  as- 
sociate  with  the  common  Larks,  or,  in  America,  they 
join  the  roving  bands  of  Snow-Birds.  They  feed  princi- 
pally on  seeds,  and  also  on  grass,  leaves,  buds,  and  in- 
sects. They  breed  on  small  hillocks  in  open  marshy 
fields,  and  the  nest  is  loosely  constructed  of  moss  and 
grass,  and  lined  with  a  few  feathers.  The  eggs  are  5  or 
6,  yellowish  rusty,  somewhat  clouded  with  brown.  The 
Longspur,  like  the  Lark,  sings  only  as  it  rises  in  the  air, 
in  which,  suspended  aloft,  it  utters  a  few  agreeable  and 
melodious  notes. 

The  mal'c  of  this  species  is  about  7  inches  long  ;  and  12  in  alar  ex- 
tent. Bill  yellow,  dark  at  the  point.  Iris  hazel,  and  the  feet  dusky. 
The  fore  part  of  tlie  neck,  throat,  and  breast  are  black,  the  hind-head 
bright  reddish-rusty  ;  a  white  line  runs  from  the  base  of  tlie  bill  to 
the  eye,  behind  which  it  widens  and  descends  on  the  sides  of  the  neck 
Bomewhat  round  the  breast.  Belly  and  vent  white.  Back  and  scap- 
ulars brownish-black,  the  feathers  skirted  with  rusty  ;  smaller  wing- 
coverts  blackish,  margined  witii  white,  the  greater  coverts  edged 
v/ith  rufous  and  tipped  with  white,  forming  2  whi'e  bands  across  the 
wings.  Tail  24  inches,  rather  forked,  and  blackish,  the  outer  feath- 
er on  each  side  with  a  white  spot.  Hind  nail  nearly  an  inch  long.  — 
Ferralc  a  little  smaller,  with  the  top  of  the  head,  shoulders,  back,  and 
wing-coverts  brownish  black,  edged  with  rusty  ;  sides  of  the  head 
blackish  and  rusty.  Line  over  the  fye  tinged  with  rusty ;  throat 
white,  encircled  with  brown;  the  rest,  below,  wliite.  —  The  dress 
of  the  young  and  uutuinnal  birds  vary  more  or  less. 


TANAOHAS. 


466 


in  the  autumn,  and 
winter,   not  mak- 
LMubcr.    Near  Sev- 
ipon  whose  berries 
in  large  flocks,  and 
ed  from  their  own 
illy,  in  Europe,  as- 
in  America,  they 
They  feed  princi- 
ives,  buds,  and   in- 
ks in  open  marshy 
icted  of  moss   and 
The  eggs  are  5  or 
with  brown.     The 
it  rises  in  the  air, 
few  agreeable  and 

)ng ;  and  1*2  in  alar  ex- 
ie\,  and  the  feet  dusky, 
re  black,  the  hind-head 
the  base  of  the  bill  to 
on  the  sides  of  the  neck 
white.  Back  and  scap- 
h  rusty  ;  smaller  wing- 
greater  coverts  edged 
whi»e  bands  across  the 
ickish,  the  outer  feath- 
nearly  an  inch  long.  — 
id,  shoulders,  back,  and 
isty  ;  sides  of  the  head 
red  with  rusty ;  throat 
iw,  wliite.  —  The  dress 
or  less. 


TANAGIIAS. 

In  these  the  IJili.  is  short,  robust,  hard,  in  the  form  o<  a  flattened 
cone  and  Himiewhat  depressed  at  the  base;  the  upper  niandibla 
bluntly  keeli'd,  curved  and  notclied  near  tlie  tip,  longer,  wider,  and 
projecting  over  the  lower;  the  inferior  mandible  inflected  at  the 
edges,  JVosrniLs  basal,  rounded,  open,  partly  covered  by  the  feath- 
ers of  the  frontlet.  To.ngue  short,  sharp,  and  cleft  at  tip.  Tarsus 
rather  longer  than  the  middle  toe ;  inner  toe  united  at  base  to  the 
middle  one;  hind  toe-nail  largest. —  Wi.ngs  of  moderate  dimensions; 
the  3  first  primaries  nearly  of  equal  lengtliand  longest.  —The  female 
and  ,yo«H«-difler  much  from  the  male  in  complete  plumage,  whichis 
■ubjectto  great  changes  according  to  the  season.  The  moult  is  half- 
yearly,  and  the  general  colors  of  the  species  peculiarly  brilliant. 

These  are  active,  but  not  very  cautious  birds,  leading  a  solitary 
life,  or  roving  about  only  in  families,  and  frequenting  shady  and 
recluse  woods.  They  are  sudden  and  capricious  in  their  movements, 
seldom  alighting  on  the  ground,  flying  briskly,  and  progressing  by 
hops.  Their  voice  is  sometimes  rather  musical,  though  not  gener- 
ally agreable.  They  build  in  trees ;  feed  indiflferently  on  seeds, 
berries,  and  insects,  which  last  they  seize  on  the  wing,  or  collect  in- 
dustriously from  the  brandies  of  trees.  —  Tliey  ore  peculiar  to  Amej- 
ca,  and  chiefly  tropical. 

Subgenus.  —  Pvranga. 

The  upper  mandible  with  an  obtuse  tooth  on  either  side  near 
the  middle. 


SCARLET  TANAGER  or  BLACK-WINGED  SUM- 
MER  RED-BIRD. 

(Tanagra  rubra,  Lin.  Wilson,  ii.  p.  42.  pi.  11.  fig.  3.  [male]  and 
fig.  4.  [female].     Phil.  Museum,  No.  C128.) 

Sp.  Charact,  —  Scarlet-red;  wings  and  emarginate  tail  black  ;  the 
base  of  the  plumage  ash,  then  white.  —  Female,  ymmg,  and  om- 
tumnal  male,  dull  green,  i:i  the  latter  inclining  to  yellow  ;  beneath 
yellow  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky. 

This    splendid  and  transient  resident,   accompanying 
fine  weather  in  all  his  wanderings,  arrives  from  his  win- 


460 


cnANIVOROUS  niRDS. 


ter  station  in  tropical  America,  from  the  licginning  to 
the  middle  of  May,  and  extends  his  migrations  probably 
to  Nova  Scotia  as  well  as  Canada.  With  the  shy,  unso- 
cial and  suspicious  habits  of  liis  gaudy  fraternity,  he 
takes  up  iiis  abode  in  the  deepest  recess  of  the  forest, 
where  timidly  flitting' from  observation,  he  darts  from  tree 
to  tree  like  a  flasliing  meteor.  A  gaudy  sylph,  conscious 
of  his  brilliance,  and  the  exposure  to  which  it  subjects 
him,  he  seems  to  avoid  remark,  and  is  only  solicitous  to 
be  known  to  his  humble  mate,  and  hid  from  all  beside. 
He  therefore  rarely  approiiehes  the  habitations  of  men, 
unless  perhaps  the  skirts  of  the  orchard,  where  he  some- 
times however,  builds  his  nest,  and  takes  a  taste  of  the 
early  and  inviting,  though  forbidden  cherries. 

Among  the  thick  foliage  of  tho  tree  in  which  ho  seeks 
support  and  shelter,  from  the  lofty  branches,  at  times,  we 
hear  his  almost  monotonous  tsJiij)  witcv,  tshiji-'idec,  or 
tshukarhr,  tshukadcc  repeated  at  short  intervals,  and  in  a 
pensive  under-tone,  heightened  by  the  solitude  in  which 
he  delights  to  dwell.  The  same  note  is  also  uttered,  by 
the  female,  when  the  retreat  of  herself  and  young  is  ap- 
proached ;  and  the  male  occasionally  utters  in  recogni- 
tion to  his  mate,  as  they  perambulate  the  branches,  a  low 
whispering  'tail  in  a  tone  of  caution  and  tenderness.  But, 
besides  these  calls  on  the  female,  he  has  also  during  the 
period  of  incubation,  and  for  a  considerable  time  after,  a 
more  musical  strain,  resembling  somewhat  in  the  mellow- 
ness of  its  tones  the  song  of  the  fifing  Baltimore.  The  syl- 
lables to  which  I  have  barkened,  appear  like  'tshoove 
'wait 'wait,  'vrhowit  wait,  and  'wait,  'vchowit  vca  wait,  with 
other  additions  of  harmony  for  which  no  words  are  ade- 
quate. This  pleasing  and  highly  musical  meandering 
ditty  is  delivered  for  hours,  in  a  contemplative  mood,  in 
the  same  tree  with  his  busy  consort.  If  surprised,  they  flit 


/ 


± 


the  l)cginning  to 
ligratioiis  probably 
Villi  the  shy,  iinso- 
uily  rratcrnity,  he 
:ces:i  of  the  I'orest, 
he  darts  from  tree 
ly  sylph,  conscious 
)  which  it  subjects 
s  only  solicitous  to 
lid  from  all  beside, 
labitatioiis  of  men, 
•d,  where  he  some- 
ikcs  a  taste  of  the 
lerries. 

in  which  ho  seeks 
iches,  at  times,  we 
■itcc,  tshiji-'idec,  ,ir 
intervals,  and  in  a 

solitude  in  which 
is  also  uttered,  by 
r  and  young  is  ap- 
utters  in  recogni- 
se branches,  a  low 
d  tenderness.  But, 
las  also  during  the 
Table  time  after,  a 
hat  in  the  mellow- 
altimore.  The  syl- 
pear  like  'tskoove 
6 wit  vca  wait,  with 
10  words  are  ade- 
isical  meandering 
smplative  mood,  in 
surprised,  they  flit 


SCARLET  TANAGEK. 


467 


together,  but  soon  return  to  their  favorite  station  in  the 
spreading  boughs  of  the  shady  oak  or  hickory.  This 
song  has  some  resemblance  to  that  of  the  Red-eyed  Vi- 
reo  in  its  compiiss  and  strain,  though  much  superior,  the 
'wait  wait  being  whistled  very  sweetly  in  several  tones, 
and  with  emphasis,  so  that,  upon  the  whole,  our  Pi/ran- 
ga  may  be  considered  as  duly  entitled  to  various  excel- 
lence, being  harmless  to  the  farmer,  brilliant  in  plumage, 
and  harmonious  in  voice. 

The  nest  of  this  beautiful  bird  is  built  about  the  mid- 
dle of  May,  on  the  horizontal  branch  of  a  shady  forest 
tree,  commonly  an  oak,  though  sometimes  in  a  tree  in 
the  orchard.  It  is  but  slightly  put  together,  and  usually 
composed  of  broken  rigid  stalks  of  dry  weeds,  or  slender 
fir  twigs,  loosely  interlaced  together,  and  partly  tied  with 
narrow  .strips  of  Indian  hemp  {Ajjoripmm),  some  slender 
grass  leaves,  and  pea-vine  runners  (Amphicarpa),  or  oth- 
er frail  materials  ;  the  interior  is  sometimes  lined  with  the 
slender,  wiry,  brown  stalks  of  the  Canadian  cistus  {Ilcli- 
anthvmiim) ;  or  with  slender  pine  leaves  ;  and  the  whole 
of  the  substances  is  so  thinly  platted,  as  readily  to  ad- 
mit the  light  through  their  interstices,  thus  forming  a 
very  clean  and  airy  bed  for  the  brood,  well  suited  for  the 
mildness  and  warmth  of  the  season  in  which  they  are 
produced.  The  eggs,  3  or  4,  are  of  a  dull  blue,  spotted 
with  two  or  three  shades  of  brown  or  purple  most  numer- 
ous towards  the  larger  end.  They  only  sojourn  long 
enough  to  rear  their  single  brood,  which  are  here  fledged 
early  in  July,  leaving  us  already  for  the  South  about  the 
middle  or  close  of  August,  or  as  soon  as  the  young  are 
well  able  to  endure  the  fatigue  of  an  exiensive  migration 
in  company  with  their  parents.  The  female  shows  great 
solicitude  for  the  safety  of  her  only  brood,  and  on  an  ap- 
proach to  the  nest  appears  to  be  in  great  distress  and 


ill 


w 


I 


fsm 


468 


nnANivoRoufl  birds. 


apprcliension.  When  they  are  released  from  her  more 
immediiitc  protection,  the  male,  at  first  cautious  and  dis- 
tant, now  attends  and  feeds  them  with  activity,  being 
altogether  indifferent  to  that  concealment  which  his 
gaudy  dress  seems  to  require,  from  his  natural  enemies. 
So  attached  to  his  now  interesting  brood  is  the  Scarlet 
Tanager,  that  he  has  been  known,  at  all  hazards,  to  fol- 
low for  lialf  a  mile  one  of  his  young,  submitting  to  feed 
it  attentively  through  the  bars  of  a  cage,  and,  with  a 
devotion  which  despair  could  not  damp,  roost  by  it  in 
the  branches  of  tiie  same  tree  with  its  prison  ;  so  strong, 
indeed,  is  this  innate  and  heroic  feeling,  that  life  itself 
is  less  cherished  than  the  desire  of  aiding  and  supporting 
his  endearing  progeny. 

The  food  of  the  Scarlet  Tanager,  while  with  us,  con- 
sists chiefly  of  winged  insects,  wasps,  hornets,  and  wild 
bees,  as  well  as  smaller  kinds  of  beetles  and  other  shelly 
tribes  ;  they  probably  also  sometimes  feed  on  seeds,  and 
are  particularly  partial  to  whortleberries,  and  other  kinds 
which  the  season  affords. 

About  the  commencement  of  August  the  male  begins  to 
moult,  and  then  exchanges  his  nuptial  scarlet  for  the 
greenish  yellow  livery  of  the  female.  At  this  period  they 
leave  us,  and  having  passed  the  winter  in  the  celibacy 
indicated  by  this  humble  garb,  they  arrive  again  among 
us  on  its  vernal  renewal,  and  so  soon  after  this  change, 
that  individuals  arc  at  this  time  occasionally  seen  with 
the  speckled  livery  of  early  autumn,  or  with  a  confused 
mixture  of  green  and  scarlet  feathers  in  scattered  patches. 

The  length  of  tliis  species  ia  about  CJ  inclies  ;  and  lOJ  in  alar  di- 
mensions. The  plumage  of  the  male  is  of  a  brilliant  scarlet,  except 
the  wings  and  tail,  which  are  black.  Th«  tail  is  forked,  and  some- 
times minutely  tipt  with  white  ;  the  inner  edges  of  the  quills  are  also 
nearly  while.  Bill  yellowish  horn-color.  Legs  and  feet  bluish-grey. 
Iris  cream-color.  —  The  female  is  more  green  above  than  the  autum- 
nal male. 


SUMMER  RED-niRD. 


409 


?d  from  hor  more 
t  cniilious  and  dis- 
itli  activity,  l)eing 
lincnt  uhicli  his 
s  natural  oncmies. 
•00(1  is  the  Scarlet 
ill  lia/ar<lH,  to  foU 
Hiibmittin^  to  feed 
cajre,  ami,  with  a 
inj),  roost  by  it  in 
prison  ;  so  strong, 
tig,  that  life  itself 
ng  and  supporting 

h^hilc  with  us,  con- 
hornets,  and  wild 
!s  and  fttlior  shelly 
feed  on  seeds,  and 
!S,  and  other  kinds 

the  male  begins  to 
iai  scarlet  for  the 
Vt  this  period  they 
sr  in  the  celibacy 
•rive  again  among 
after  this  change, 
sionally  seen  with 
r  with  a  confused 
scattered  patches. 

's  ;  and  lOJ  in  alar  di- 
rilliant  scarlet,  except 
is  forked,  and  some- 
!S  uf  the  quills  are  also 
i  and  feet  bluish-grey, 
ibove  than  the  autum- 


SUMMER  RKD-BTRD. 

{Tanagra  iBstira,  Gm.  Wilson,  i.  p.  9.'>.  pi. '6.  fijf.  ;i.  fmalej.rand 
t'llf.  4.  [female].  Audubon,  pi.  U.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  ZVi.  Phil. 
MuseuMi,  No.  (iI34.) 

Sp.  CiiABACT.— Vermilion-red;  inner  vanes  and  tips  of  the  miills 
tinged  with  brown ;  the  tail  oven.  —  female,  young,  and  autum- 
nal male,  yellow-olive,  below  brownish-yellow  ;  the  moulting 
young  spotted  with  buH". 

TniH  brilliant  and  transient  resident,  like  the  former 
species,  passes  the  greatest  part  of  the  year  in  tropical 
America,  from  whence  in  his  gaudy  nuptial  suit,  prepar- 
ed by  nature  for  the  occasion,  he  presents  himself  with  his 
humble  mate  in  the  Southern  States  in  the  latter  end  of 
April  or  by  the  first  of  May.  In  Penn.sylvania  they  arc 
but  rarely  seen,  though  in  the  warm  and  sandy  barren 
forests  of  New  Jersey  several  pairs  may  usually  be  ob- 
served in  the  course  of  every  season  ;  farther  north  they 
are  unknown,  ceding  tho.se  regions  apparently  to  the 
scarlet  species.  They  are  not  confined  to  any  particular 
soil,  though  often  met  with  in  bushy,  barren  tracts,  and 
are  consequently  common  even  to  the  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi in  Louisiana  and  the  territory  of  Arkansas,  as  well 
as  Mexico  ;  they  also  breed  near  the  banks  of  that  river 
around  Natchez. 

The  nest  is  built  in  the  woods  on  the  low  horizontal 
branch  of  a  tree,  often  in  an  evergreen  10  or  12  feet  from 
the  ground  ;  like  that  of  the  former,  it  is  slightly  put  to- 
gether, and  made  of  broken,  tough,  and  fibrous  weeds, 
and  lined  with  fine  grass.  The  eggs  are  from  3  to  5, 
and  of  a  light  blue  color,  ac  .,  .'ing  to  Wil.son.  Both 
parents  assist  in  incubation,  a  id  the  young  are  fledged 
by  the  middle  or  latter  end  of  June.  They  onlv  raise  a 
single  brood  in  the  season  ;  and  towards  the  middle  or 
close  of  August,  the  whole  party  disappear  on  their  way 
40 


:« 
■p 


470 


ORANIVOROUII  niRDR. 


to  the  Soutli  ;    though  tho  young  rcmnin  Inter  than  the 
old  nntl  more  restless  birds. 

The  nolo  of  tho  mnle,  like  that  of  the  Bnltimore  Bird, 
is  said  to  be  n  strong  and  sonorous  whistle,  resembling 
the  trill  or  musical  shako  on  tho  fife,  and  is  frequently 
repeated.  The  note  of  tho  fcmnlo  is  more  of  a  chatter- 
ing, and  appoars  nInioHt  like  tlio  rapid  pronunciation  of 
fshifki/-tii/di/-tu/c,  tshii ky-tukky-lul;,  and  is  ciiicfly  ut- 
tered in  alarm  when  any  person  approaches  the  vicinity 
of  her  nest.  From  the  similarity  of  hor  color  to  the  foliage 
of  the  trees,  slic  is,  however,  rarely  seen,  and  usually 
mute  ;  while  the  loquacity  an<l  brilliance  of  the  male  ren- 
der him,  as  he  flits  timidly  and  wildly  through  the  branch- 
es, a  most  distingui.slu'd  and  btnutiful  object. 

The  food  of  the  Summer  Rod-Bird  is  very  similar  to  that 
of  the  preceding  species  ;  bugs,  beetles,  and  stinging  bees 
make  part  of  his  repast,  as  well  as  flies  and  cynips  of  vari- 
ous kinds,  after  which  they  often  dart  about  until  hindered 
by  the  approach  of  night.  This  habit,  however,  is  prob- 
ably necessary  from  the  almost  nocturnal  manners  of 
some  of  these  insect  tribes.  After  the  period  of  incuba- 
tion, and  until  tlioir  departure,  whortleberries  and  other 
kinds  of  berries  form  no  inconsiderable  part  of  their  food. 

The  male  of  this  species  is  1\  Indies,  tlie  nlar  extent  about  12.  He 
ig  of  a  rich  vermilion  color,  most  brilliant  below,  except  the  inner 
vanes  and  tips  of  the  wings,  which  are  tinged  with  brown.  The  legs 
and  feet  arc  pale  greyish-blue,  inclining  to  purple.  The  iris  light 
hazel.  —  The  Female  is  above  of  a  brownish  yellow-olive,  below 
brownish-yellow. 


tin  later  than  tho 

ic  Btiltitnorc  Bird, 
IiIhIIo,  resembling 
and  is  frequcntij 
nore  of  a  chattcr- 

pronuncintion  of 
iind  is  cliicdy  ut- 
nches  the  vicinity 
:olor  to  the  foliage 
seen,  and  usually 
!c  of  the  male  rcn- 
rough  the  branch- 
object. 

very  similar  to  that 
,  and  stinging  bees 
and  cynips  of  vari- 
K)ut  until  hindered 

however,  is  prob- 
urnal  manners  of 
!  period  of  incuba- 
dierries    and  other 

part  of  their  food. 

If  extent  about  13.  He 
low,  except  tlie  inner 
with  brown.  The  legs 
urple.  The  iris  light 
1  yellow-olive,  below 


LOL'ISIANA  TANAOER. 


471 


LOUtSIANA    TANAGER, 

(fanagraludoeiciana,  Wii.son,  ili.  p.  27.  pi.  JO.  tig.  I.     I'hil.  Mii- 
•eum,  ^fo.  «*t(i.) 

Sr.  CwAHAcT.  —  YcIIdw  ;  anterior  purl  of  Ihn  hend  orunij^e-dcntlet ; 
back,  wingH,  iiiiil  tiiil  bliick  ;  wiiijfs  with  2  yellow  ImnilH. 

This  species  was  first  made  known  by  tho  exploring 
party  of  Lewis  and  Clark.  It  is  a  frequent  inhabitant  of 
the  extensive  prairies  or  grassy  plains  of  Upp(?r  Missouri, 
and  is  s(>en  occasionally  as  low  as  the  cantonment  of 
Major  Long,  or  but  a  little  beyond  the  line  of  settlements. 
They  are  continually  flitting  over  these  vast  downs,  oc- 
casionally alighting  upon  the  stems  of  tall  weeds,  or  the 
bushes  which  border  only  the  streams,  and  in  which,  as 
well  as  in  the  grass,  they  build  their  nests.  From  their 
almost  terrestrial  habits,  it  is  evident  they  must  derive 
their  food  chiefly  from  the  insects  they  find  near,  or  on 
the  ground,  as  well  as  from  the  seeds  of  the  herbage  in 
which  they  principally  dwell  ;  they  also  probably  feed 
on  the  grasshoppers  with  which  these  plains  abound  ; 
and  are  upon  the  whole  a  common  and  numerous  species 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  remaining  in  that  country  near- 
ly until  the  approach  of  October.  For  amusement,  they 
are  frequently  shot  with  how  and  arrows  by  the  Indian 
boys,  in  defect  of  more  important  game.  Thou^-h  I  have 
seen  many  of  these  birds  throughout  tho  seasnr,  I  have 
no  recollection  of  hearing  them  utter  any  modulated  o: 
musical  sounds  ;  and  they  appeared  to  me  like  Sparrows, 
shy,  flitting,  and  almost  silent. 

The  length  of  this  bird  is  about  GJ  inches.  Bill  yellowish  horn- 
color.  Legs  greyish-blue.  Tail  rliglilly  forked,  und  edged  with  dull 
whitish.  —  The /cm«/c  or  youji^bird  had  the  wings  and  back  brown- 
ish. 


i 


I 


472 


GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


FINCHES.      (FiuNGiLLA,  Lin.) 

In  these  birds  the  bill  is  ijhort,  robust,  conic  on  all  sides,  and 
generally  without  notch;  uppor  mandible  wider  than  the  lower, 
somewhat  turgid,  and  a  little  inclined  at  tip;  without  keel,  depress- 
ed at  the  upper  part,  and  ollen  f.-olonged  into  an  angle  entering  the 
feathers  of  tJie  forehead.  Nostiuls  basal,  round,  covered  by  the 
feathers  of  the  frontlet.  Tongue  thick,  acute,  compressed,  and  bifid 
at  tip.  Feet,  tarsus  shorter  than  tlie  middle  toe  ;  toes  disconnected 
to  the  base  ;  hind  nail  largest.  —  Wings  short ;  Ist  and  2d  primaries 
but  little  shorter  than  the  13d  or  4th,  which  is  longest. 

The  7nale  differs  from  the  female  principally  in  the  breeding  sea- 
son. Tiie  young  m  the  2d  season  resemble  the  adult ;  and  the  Eu- 
ropean and  North  American  species  generally  moult  only  once  in 
the  year;  those  of  warmer  climates  usually  undergo  a  double 
moult. 

These  birds  live  on  all  sorts  of  seeds  and  grain,  which  tftey  shell 
before  swallowing  ;  at  times  they  also  add  insects  to  th<.ir  fare;  they 
inhabit  all  parts  of  the  world,  and  are  particularly  numerous  in  the 
warmer  regions ;  they  are  prolific,  raising  several  broods  in  the  sea- 
son, and  disploy  often  considerable  art  in  the  fabrication  of  their  nests, 
which  are  usually  built  in  trees  and  bushes.  They  flock  together  in 
considerable  numbers,  and  migrate  in  bands;  live  in  woods  and 
thickets,  and  are  familiar  often  in  gardens  and  orchards ;  many  alight 
also  on  he  ground,  in  quest  of  their  multifarious,  but  principally  veg- 
etable food.  Of  all  the  winged  tribes,  after  Pigeons  and  Gallinace- 
ous birds,  these  are  the  most  easily  accustomed  to  the  domestic  state, 
and  many  are  esteemed  for  the  vigorous  music  of  their  song,  which 
is  often  a  loud  and  fifing  trill ;  some  of  them  have  likewise  been 
taught  to  perform  a  variety  of  actions  evincing  an  extraordinary  de- 
gree of  docility.*  The  North  American  species  are  divided  into  4 
subgenera  by  Prince  C.  Bonaparte,  which  all,  at  the  same  time,  pass 
insensibly  into  each  other. 

§  I.  With  the  palate  rather  prominent,  and  sometimes  with  the 
rudiment  of  a  tubercle. 


*  For  an  account  of  wliicli  see  the  Introduction,  pp.  121,  SQ. 


OS. 

LA,  Lin.) 

,  conic  on  all  sides,  and 
!  wider  than  the  lower, 
p  ;  without  keel,  depress- 
nto  an  angle  entering  the 

I,  round,  covered  by  the 
ite,  compressed,  and  bifid 
H  toe  ;  toes  disconnected 
ort ;  Ist  and  2d  primaries 
IS  longest, 

ally  in  the  breeding  sea- 
'.  the  adult ;  and  the  Eu- 
ally  moult  only  once  in 
ually  undergo  a  double 

I  grain,  which  iney  shell 
nsects  to  thiir  fare  ;  they 
cularly  numerous  in  the 
everal  broods  in  the  sea- 
fabrication  of  their  nests, 
,  They  flock  together  in 
ids ;  live  in  woods  and 
d  orchards ;  many  alight 
ious,  but  principally  veg- 
Pigeons  and  Gallinace- 
led  to  the  domestic  state, 
isic  of  their  song,  which 
lem  have  likewise  been 
;ing  an  extraordinary  de- 
lecies  are  divided  into  4 

II,  at  the  same  time,  pass 

arid  somctivies  with  the 


action,  pp.  91 ,  !29. 


LA7ULI  FINCH. 


473 


Subgenus.  —  Spiza.     (Bonap.) 

With  the  edges  of  the  lower  mandible  narrowed  in. 

t    Species  allied  to  Tanagra.     IVilh  the  bill  aoinewlmt  curved. 


LAZULI  FLNCH. 

{FringUla  amama,  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  CI.  pi.  6.  fig.  5.     Emherixa 

amcena,  Say.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  5919.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  Verdigris-blue;    beneath  white;  breast  pale  red- 

disJi  ferruginous;    wings  with  2  white  bars;  the  bill  notched. — 

Young  iind  female  ? 

For  the  first  notice  of  this  beautiful  bird  we  are  in- 
debted to  Mr.  Say,  who  met  with  it  ir  ing's  expedition. 
It  was  observed,  though  rarely  in  tin.  summer  months, 
along  the  banks  of  the  Arkansas,  near  to  the  base  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  frequenting  the  bushy  valleys,  keeping 
much  in  the  grass  after  its  food,  and  but  seldom  alight- 
ing on  the  trees  or  shriibs.  It  greatly  resembles  the  In- 
digo Bird  ;  yet  its  note  is  wholly  different. 

Thf  length  of  this  Finch  is  5J  inches.  Head,  neck,  and  rump, 
brighl  verdigris-blue;  the  back  brownish-black,  mixed  with  blue  and 
with  touohep  of  rusty-brown.  Superior  part  of  the  breast  pale  ferru- 
ginous, inclining  to  rose-red  ;  lower  part  of  the  breast,  belly,  and  infe- 
rior tail-coverts  wiiite ;  quills  blackish,  obscurely  margined  with 
blue  e.xternally ;  under  wing-coverts  whitish  with  some  mixture  of 
blue.  Tail  slightly  notched,  blackish,  edged  with  blue  on  the  outer 
\  lines,  and  with  white  on  the  inner  webs  at  tip.  The  dress  of  the 
female  and  young  is  unknown, 


INDIGO  BIRD. 

(Fringilla  eyanca,  Wilson,  i.  p.  100.  pi.  6.  fig.  5.  [male].  Bonap.  ii. 
pi.  11.  fig.  3.  [female].  Audubon,  pi.  74.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  277. 
Phil.  Museum,  No.  (3002.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Bright  blue  with  a  green  reflection;  wings  and 
tail  dusky,  tlie  latter  edged  with  blue.  —  Feinalehiowniah  flaxen, 

40* 


4 )  . .;; 


ii 


Mm. 


474 


GRANIVOROnS  BIRDS. 


i 


beneatli  pale  yellowisli-white.  —  Yoiintr  and  autumnal  male,  ns 
the  female,  but  more  tinged  witli  bluish. 

Tins  very  beautiful  and  rather  familiar  messenger  of 
summer,  after  passing  the  winter  in  tropical  America, 
towards  the  loth  of  May,  decked  in  iiis  brilliant  azure 
livery,  of  the  nuptial  season,  again  joyfully  visits  his  natal 
regions,  in  the  Middle  States  ;  and  about  a  week  or  ten 
days  later  his  lively  trill  in  the  garden,  orchard,  or  on 
the  top  of  the  house,  its  chimney,  or  vane,  is  first  heard 
in  this  part  of  New  England.  Still  later,  accompanied  by 
his  mate,  lie  passes  on  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  probably  to 
the  precincts  of  Labrador.  After  raising  and  training 
their  only  brood,  in  an  uniform  and  more  humble  dress, 
the  whole  family,  in  color  like  so  many  common  Spar- 
rows, begin  to  retire  to  the  South  from  the  fir.st  to  the 
middle  of  September.  Tlicy  are  also  known  in  Mexico, 
where,  as  well  as  in  the  Southern  States  to  the  penin- 
sula of  Florida,  they  probably  breed  and  pass  tlie  sum- 
mer as  with  us.  There  is  rea.son,  however,  to  believe 
tliat  they  are  less  abundant,  if  seen  at  all,  to  the  west  of 
the  Mississippi ;  but  yet  they  are  met  with  in  the  Western 
States  up  to  the  alluvial  lands  of  that  great  natural  boun- 
dary. 

Their  food  in  the  early  part  of  the  season,  as  well  as 
that  of  their  young  for  a  considerable  time,  is  chiefly 
insects,  worms,  and  caterpillars,  as  woll  as  grasshoppers, 
of  which  they  are  particularly  fond.  They  likewise  eat 
seeds  of  various  kinds,  and  are  readily  reared  in  a  cage 
on  the  usual  diet  of  the  Canary. 

Though  naturally  shy,  active,  and  suspicious,  particu- 
larly the  brilliant  male,  they  still,  at  this  interesting  pe- 
riod of  procreation,  resort  chiefly  to  the  precincts  of  hab- 
itations, around  which  they  are  far  more  common  than  in 
the  solitary  woods,  seeking   their  borders,  or  the  thickets 


%A».w, 


"■^"-Li"w_ii!iwi^^twiaiWii«'«o'iiiwL>ii]iwwaaiww 


id  autumnal  male,  as 

liar  messenger  of 
tropical  America, 
his  brilliant  azure 
illy  visits  his  natal 
out  a  week  or  ten 
1,  orciiard,  or  on 
ane,  is  first  heard 
■,  accompanied  by 
,  and  probably  to 
sing  and  training 
ore  humble  dress, 
y   common    Spar- 

I  the  first  to  the 
mown  in  Mexico, 
ites  to  the  penin- 
nd  pass  tlie  sum- 
wever,  to  believe 
all,  to  the  west  of 
til  in  the  Western 
rciit  natural  boun- 

season,  as  well  as 
e  time,    is  chiefly 

II  as  grasshoppers, 
They  likewise  eat 
'  reared  in  a  cage 

ispicious,  particu- 
iiis  interesting  pe- 
!  precincts  of  hab- 
c  counnon  than  in 
;ra,  or  the  thickets 


'i-TW- 


INDIGO  BIRD. 


475 


by  the  sides  of  the  road  ;  but  their  favorite  resort  is  the 
garden,  where,  from  the  topmost  bough  of  some  tall  tree, 
which  couimands  the  whole  wide  landscape,  the  male 
regularly  pours  out  his  lively  chant,  and  continues  it  for 
a  considerable  length  of  time.  Nor  is  this  song  confined 
to  the  cool  and  animating  dawn  of  morning,  but  it  is 
renewed  and  still  more  vigorous  during  the  noon-day 
heat  of  summer.  This  lively  strain  seems  composed  of 
a  repetition  of  short  notes,  commencing  loud  and  rapid, 
and  then,  slowly  falling,  they  descend  almost  to  a  whisp- 
er, succeeded  by  a  silent  interval  of  about  half  a  minute, 
when  the  song  is  again  continued  as  before.  The  most 
common  of  these  vocal  expressions  sounds  like  fa/ic  tahe 
tshe  —  t.-ihv  t.ifitc  tihf.c  —  <.s//e  t^hl  (she.  The  middle  sylla- 
bles jire  uttered  lispingly  in  a  very  peculiar  manner,  and 
the  three  last  gradually  fall  ;  sometiuies  it  is  varied  and 
shortened  into  t.s/ien  tsliia  tshea  tshr^h,  the  last  sound 
being  sometiuies  doubled.  This  shorter  song  is  usually 
uttered  at  the  time  that  the  female  is  engaged  in  the 
cares  of  incubation,  or  as  the  brood  already  appear,  and 
when  too  great  a  display  of  his  music  might  endanger 
the  retiring  security  of  his  family.  From  a  young  or 
imperfectly  moulted  male,  on  the  summit  of  a  weeping 
willow,  I  heard  the  following  singularly  lively  syllables, 
tic  tie  tic  .'a  lee,  repeated  at  short  intervals.  While  thus 
prominently  exposed  to  view,  the  little  airy  minstrel  is 
continually  on  the  watch  against  any  surprise,  and  if  he  b« 
steadily  looked  at  or  hearkened  to  with  visible  attention, 
in  the  next  instant  he  is  ofi'to  seek  out  some  securer  ele- 
vation. In  the  village  of  Cambridge,  i  have  seen  one  of 
these  azure,  almost  celestial  musicians,  regularly  chant 
to  the  inmates  of  a  tall  dwelling-house  from  the  summit  of 
the  chimney,  or  the  point  of  the  forked  lightning-rod.  I 
have  also  heard   a  Canary,  within  hearing,   repeat  and 


1« 


476 


GRANIVOROUH  BIRDS. 


imitate  the  slo.. ly  lispin"  trill  of  the  Indigo  Bird,  whose 
warble  indeed,  often  greatly  resembles  that  of  this  species. 
The  female,  before  hat(  hing  her  brood,  is  but  seldom 
seen,  and  is  then  scarcely  distinguishable  from  a  common 
Sparrow  ;  nor  is  she  ever  to  be  observed  beyond  the  hum- 
ble bushes  and  weeds  in  which  she  commonly  resides. 

The  nest  of  our  bird  is  usually  built  in  a  low  bush, 
partly  concealed  by  rank  grass  or  grain  ;  I  have  also 
seen  one  suspended  in  a  complicated  manner  in  a  trel- 
lised  grape-vine  in  a  garden  ;  and,  being  left  undisturbed, 
it  built  near  the  same  spot  the  succeeding  year.  When 
in  a  bush,  the  nest  is  suspended  betwixt  two  twigs,  pass- 
ing up  on  either  side.  Externally  it  is  composed  of 
coarse  sedge-grass,  some  withered  leaves,  and  lined  with 
fine  stalks  of  the  same,  and  the  slender  hair-like  tops  of  the 
bent-grass  (yl;'^»Y)s//.<),  with  a  very  few  cow-hairs,  though 
sometimes  they  make  a  substantial  lining  of  hair.  The 
nest  which  I  saw,  in  the  vine,  was  composed  outwardly 
of  coarse  strips  of  bass-mat,  weeds,  and  some  strings 
picked  up  in  the  garden,  and  lined  with  horse-hair  and  a 
few  tops  iif  bent-grass.  The  eggs,  about  5,  are  greenish 
white,  and  without  any  spots.  (Wilson  speaks  of  a  blotch 
of  purple  at  the  great  end.)  Tlic  young  here  scarcely 
leave  the  nest  before  the  end  of  July,  or  the  first  week  in 
August ;  and  they  raise  probably  but  a  single  brood  in 
the  season.  They  appear  to  show  great  timidity  about 
^heir  nest,  and  often  readily  forsake  it  when  touched,  or 
when  an  egg  is  abstracted.  Their  usual  note  of  alarm, 
when  themselves  or  their  young  are  approached,  is  a 
sharp  ts!,ij»,  quickly  and  anxiously  repeated,  resembling 
almost  the  striking  of  two  pebbles.  They  will  not  forsake 
their  young,  however  ready  they  may  be  to  relinquish 
their  eggs  ;  and  ihey  have  been  known  to  feed  their  brood 
very  faithfully  through  the  bars  of  a  cage  in  which  they 
were  confined. 


■yi^ 


PAINTED  BUNTING  OR  FINCH. 


477 


iidigo  Bird,  whose 
int  of  tliis  species. 
Oil,  is  but  seldom 
lie  from  ca  common 
1  beyond  the  hum- 
iinionly  resides. 
It  in  a  low  bush, 
ain  ;  I  have  also 
manner  in  a  trel- 
g  loft  undisturbed, 
iing  year.  When 
Ki  two  twigs,  pass- 
t  is  composed  of 
es,  and  lined  with 
lair-like  tops  of  the 
cow-hairs,  though 
ing  of  hair.  The 
mposed  outwardly 
and  some  strings 
h  horse-hair  and  a 
lut  5,  are  greenish 
speaks  of  a  blotch 
ing  here  scarcely 
tr  the  first  week  in 
a  single  brood  in 
reat  timidity  about 

when  touched,  or 
ual  note  of  alarm, 

approached,  is  a 
leated,  resembling 
ey  will  not  forsake 
y  be  to  relinquish 
to  feed  their  brood 
age  in  which  they 


The  Ipnpth  of  thia  species  is  from  5i  to  C  inches,  and  7  to  8  in 
alar  iliniensions.  Above,  the  body  is  of  a  briglit  sky-blue,  deepening 
on  tlie  liciul  luid  tliroat  to  un  ultramarine  ;  the  rest  of  the  blue,  by 
reflection  in  certain  lights,  appears  of  a  luminous  verdigris-irreen. 
Wings  and  tail  dusky,  the  former  edged  with  bluish-grey,  the  latter 
with  blue  ;  the  tail  forked,  beneath  presenting  a  pale  silvery  reflec- 
tion;  coverts  of  the  wings  black,  broadly  edged  and  tipt  with  blue, 
lesser  coverts  blue  and  black  at  the  base,  lining  of  the  wing  blue, 
near  the  body  grey,  only  tinged  with  that  color.  I'jiper  mandible 
black,  the  lower  paler  towards  the  point,  (in  young  birds  pale  horn- 
color.)  Legs  and  feet  dusky.  —  Fcmalciit' ii  flaxen  color  tinged  with 
pale  ferruginous,  the  wings  and  tail  dusky-brown,  the  latter  edged 
with  greyish-blue.  Cheeks  and  below  pale  ferruginous-white,  darker 
at  the  sides ;  about  the  rump,  lower  part  of  the  back,  and  ujtper  wiag- 
coverts  tinged  with  pale  bluish-green;  the  lower  mandible  very 
pale. 


PAINTED  BUiNTING  or  FINCH. 

(Fringilla  ciris,  Temm.  Audubon,  pi.  53.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  279, 
Emheriza  ciris,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  68.  pi.  24.  fig.  1.  [male]  and  fig. 
3.  [female].  Phil.  Museum,  No.  6062  and  C0G3.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Vermilion-red;  head  and  neck  above  purplish- 
blue  ;  back  yellowish-green ;  wings  dusky-red  ;  lesser  coverts 
purple  ;  the  greater,  and  the  tail,  green.  —  Female,  and  yming 
of  the  first  season,  green-olive;  beneath  Naples  yellow.  [The 
young  gradually  change  until  the  4th  or  3th  year  .=] 

This  splendid,  gay,  and  docile  bird,  known  to  the 
Americans  as  the  Nonpareil,  and  to  the  French  Louisi- 
anians  as  the  Papr,  inhabits  the  woods  of  tiie  low 
countries  of  the  Southern  States,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
sea,  and  along  the  borders  of  the  larger  rivers,  from  North 
Carolina  to  Mexico.  They  arrive  from  their  tropical 
quarters  in  Louisiana  and  Georgia  from  the  middle  to 
the  20th  of  April.  Impatient  of  cold,  they  retire  to  the 
South  early  in  October,  and  are  supposed  to  winter  about 
Vera  Cruz.  For  the  sake  of  their  sonj.'  as  well  as  beauty 
of  plumage,   they   are  cpmmonly   domesticated   in   the 


478 


OHANIVOROUS  BIRDa. 


houses  of  the  French  inhabitants  of  New  Orleans  and  its 
vicinity  ;  and  some  have  succeeded  in  raising  them  in 
captivity,  where  plenty  of  room  was  allowed  in  an 
aviary.  In  England  they  have  been  known  to  build  and 
lay  their  eggs  in  tlic  orange  trees  of  a  menagerie.  They 
arc  familiar  also  in  the  gardens  and  orchards,  where  their 
warbling  notes  are  almost  perpetually  heard  throughout 
the  summer.  Their  song  much  resembles  that  of  the 
Indigo  Bird,  but  their  voice  is  more  feeble  and  concise. 
Soon  reconciled  to  the  cage,  they  will  sing  even  a  few 
days  afte-  being  caught.  Their  food  consists  of  rice, 
insects,  and  various  kinds  of  seeds  ;  they  collect  also  the 
grains  of  the  ripe  figs,  and,  frequenting  gardens,  build 
often  within  a  few  paces  of  the  house,  being  particularly 
attached  to  the  orange/ies. 

Their  nests  are  usually  made  in  tlie  hedges  of  the 
orange,  or  on  the  lower  branches  of  the  same  tree,  like- 
wise occasionally  in  a  bramble  or  thorny  bush.  Exter- 
nally they  are  formed  of  dry,  withered  grass,  blended  with 
the  tenacious  silk  of  caterpillars,  lined  with  hair,  and 
internally  finished  with  fine  fibrous  roots.  The  eggs  are 
4  or  5,  white,  or  pearly,  and  marked  with  dark  purplish 
brown  spots.  In  the  mildest  climates  in  which  they  pass 
the  summer,  they  rai'sc  two  broods  in  the  season.  They 
are  commonly  caught  in  trap-cages,  to  which  they  are 
sometimes  allured  by  a  stuffed  bird,  which  they  descend 
to  attack  ;  and  they  have  been  known  to  survive  in  do- 
mestication for  upwards  of  ten  years. 

The  Nonpareil  is  about  5|  inches  long,  and  85  in  alar  extent. 
Back  and  scapulars  glossy  yellow,  stained  with  green,  and  in  old 
birds  with  red.  Tail  slightly  forked,  purplish  brown  (generally 
green).  Legs  and  feet  leaden-grey.  Bill  black  above,  plain  grey- 
ish-blue below.  Iris  hazel. —  Female  a  little  less — In  the  mule,  in 
the  2d  season,  the  blue  on  the  head  appears ;   in  the  next  year  the 


iljUMiMllii|i,lfl<><W>WMIwroiiiKKWI|]B«WI 


3w  Orleans  and  its 
n  raising  them  in 
US  allowed  in  an 
nown  to  build  and 
nicniiirerie.  Tiiey 
;liards,  where  their 

heard  throughout 
iiii)los  that  of  the 
eeble  and  concise. 
II  sing  even  a  few 
d  consists  of  rice, 
ley  collect  also  the 
ting  gardens,  build 

being  particularly 

the  liedges  of  the 
lie  same  tree,  like- 
)rny  bush.  Exter- 
^rass,  blended  with 
ed  with  hair,  and 
its.  The  eggs  are 
with  dark  purplish 
in  which  they  pass 
the  season.  They 
to  which  they  are 
'hich  they  descend 
I   to  survive  in  do- 

md  8}  in  alar  extent, 
'ith  green,  and  in  old 
ish  brown  (generally 
ick  above,  plain  grey- 
less —  In  the  male,  in 
in  the  next  year  the 


■rnp 


WniTE-CROWNED  BrNTING  OR   FINCH. 


479 


yellow  i8  seen  on  the  back  and  rump,  as  well  as  the  red  below  in 
spots;  the  colors  are  completed  only  in  the  4th  year. 

Note.  Those  who  have  kept  these  birds  in  England  are  of  opinion 
that  they  gain  their  complete  and  varied  plumage  sooner  even  than 
the  third  year. 


f  t  Spccie»  o/Fringilla,  allied  to  Emberizn. 

WHITE-CROWNED  BUNTING  on  FINCH. 

(Fringilta  leucophnjs,  Temm.      Emberiza  leucop/irys,  Wii.so.v,  iv, 

p.  49.  pi.  31.  fig.  4.  [male].     Phil.  Museum,  No.  6587.) 
Sp.  Chahact.  —  The  head  white,  line  surrounding  tiie  crown  and 

through  each  eye  black  ;  beneatli  pale  asli ;    vent  pale  ociireoua  ; 

chin  white ;  wings  dusky,  witli  2  white  bands. 

This  rare  and  handsome  species  is  very  little  known  in 
any  part  of  the  United  States,  a  few  stragglers  only  being 
seen  about  the  beginning  of  winter,  and  again  in  May  or 
earlier,  on  their  way  back  io  their  Northern  breeding- 
places,  said  to  be  in  the  country  round  Hudson's 
Bay,  which  they  visit  from  the  South  in  May,  and 
construct  their  nests  in  June  in  the  vicinity  of  Albany 
fort  and  Severn  river.  These  are  fixed  on  the  ground,  or 
near  it,  in  the  shelter  of  the  willow  trees  which  they 
glean,  probably  with  many  other  birds,  for  the  insects 
which  frequent  them.  The  eggs,  4  or  5  in  number,  are 
said  to  be  of  a  dusky  or  chocolate  color.  Their  flight  is 
short  and  silent,  but,  probably,  near  the  nest,  like  our 
familiar  Song-Sparrows,  they  sing  with  melody.  As 
they  depart  from  the  Bay  in  September,  it  is  probable 
that  they  winter  in  the  Canadian  provinces,  otherwise 
as  passengers  further  south,  they  would  be  seen  more 
abundantly  in  the  United  States  than  they  are.  Indeed 
as  they  approach  this  part  of  New  England  only  in  small 
desultory  parties  in  the  winter,  as  in  November  and 
December,  it  is  evident,  that  they  only  migrate  a  short 
distance  in  quest  of  food,  and  return  to  the  North  at  the 


480 


0RANIV0ROII8  DIROa. 


approach  of  fino  weather.  While  here  they  appear  silent 
and  solitary,  and  are  not  difficult  to  approach.  Their 
food,  as  usual,  is  seeds  of  grasses,  insects,  and  their  larva'. 
The  length  of  this  species  is  74  inches  ;  alar  extent  about  10. 
The  back  streaked  with  dark  rusty-brown  and  pale  bluinh-white  ; 
tlic  wings  dusky,  edged  broadly  with  brown  ;  2  wliite  bands  pro- 
duced on  tlie  wing  by  the  broad  wliite  tips  of  the  greater  and  lesser 
wing-coverta ;  tertials  black,  edged  with  brown  and  wliite.  Rump 
and  tail  coverts  drab  tinted  with  lighter.  Tail  long,  rounded,  dusky, 
broadly  edged  with  drab ;  belly  wliite ;  vent  pale  oclireoiis.  Bill 
cinnamon-brown.  Legs  and  feet,  about  the  color  of  the  bill,  but 
lighter.  Iris  reddish-hazel. —In  the /cmnVc  the  white  on  tlie  head 
is  less  pure,  the  black  smaller  in  extent,  and  the  ash  on  the  breast 
darker  ;   she  is  also  somewhat  les.^. 


LARK  FINCH, 

(FringiHa  gravimacea,  Say.  Bosap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  H.  pi.  5.  fig.  3. 

Pliil.  Museum,  No.  C2S8.) 
Sp.  Chakact.  —  Head  striped  with  black  and  whitish  ;  tail  rounded. 

the  lateral  feathers  partly   white  ;    a  white  patch  on  the  wing  ; 

above  greyish-brown  with  dusky  spots. 

For  this  species  we  are  again  indebted  to  Mr.  Say, 
who  observed  it  in  abundance  near  the  Council  Bluffs  and 
the  neighbouring  country  of  the  Missouri  in  the  spring  as 
well  as  in  the  month  of  June.  It  appears  to  be  wholly 
confined  to  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi,  and  probably 
extends  to  Mexico.  They  frequent  the  prairie  grounds, 
and  seldom  if  ever  alight  on  trees  ;  they  sing  sweetly, 
and,  like  Larks,  have  the  habit  of  continuing  their  notes 
while  on  the  wing. 

This  species  is  CJ  inches  long.  On  the  top  of  the  head  there  are 
2  widish  dark  lines,  passing  into  ferruginous  behind  and  separated 
from  each  other  by  a  light  grey  line  ;  another  whitish  line  extends 
from  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible  over  the  eye  to  the  sides  of  the 
neck  ;  another  small,  interrupted,  almost  similarly  colored  line  passes 
from  the  bill  beneath  the  eye  ;    a  broadish  space  of  umber  extends 


■  i'>y'iwiM»iiiit.()ii)ii>lli>iil»i»U!Mi'i'!^ 


1 


hey  appear  silent 
pproach.  Their 
,  and  their  larvte. 

lar  extent  about  10. 
pale  bluinli-wliite  ; 
2  wliite  bimdff  pro- 
e  greiiter  and  leBser 
I  and  wliite.  Riimp 
mg,  rnunded,  diiaky, 
pale  ocbreous.  Bill 
olor  of  llie  bill,  but 
>  white  on  the  head 
le  ash  on  the  breast 


i.  p.  n.  pi.  5.  fig.  3. 

rilitiBb  ;  tall  rounded, 
patcli  on  the  wing  ; 

)tcd  to  Mr.  Say, 
Council  BlulTs  and 
i  in  the  spring  as 
Diirs  to  be  wlwlly 
ppi,  iuid  probably 
prairie  grounds, 
hey  sing  sweetly, 
inuing  their  notes 

if  the  head  there  are 
lehind  and  separated 
whitish  line  e.xtends 
ye  to  the  sides  of  the 
ly  colored  line  passes 
ice  of  mnber  extends 


--j'-eS^/ISSW!®--'' 


WIIITE-TIinOATKn  SPARROW. 


481 


from  the  mouth  over  the  nuriculars;  and  tlii-n  from  the  base  of  th» 
lower  mandible  extends  another  broad,  curving,  white  line  ascending 
towards  the  ears  ;  another  very  dark,  unequal  line  stretches  from  the 
same  mandible  along  the  sideH  of  the  thrn.it,  which  last  with  the 
chin  is,  apparently,  of  a  cream  while.  The  neck  and  breast  dull 
cinereous,  a  dusky  brownish  spot  on  the  latter  ;  belly  and  vent  nearly 
white.  Above  cinereous  umber-brown,  the  back  feathers  centred 
with  a  more  dusky  hue,  and  the  \.'ings  and  tail  edged  with  very  pale 
brown  ;  2d  primary  longest ;  a  wliite  angular  spot  on  the  wing.  A 
white  spot  on  nil  tlie  tail-feathers  but  the  2  central  ones,  increasing 
in  size  to  the  outer.  Bill  pale  horn-color.  Legs  and  feet  pale  yel- 
lowish-brown.    Iris  dark-brown.  —  The  female  is  duller  in  color. 


WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW. 

(Fringilla  pennaijlrnnica,  Lath.  Aipubon,  pi.  8.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p. 
42.  F.  albicoUis,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  5L  pi.  'Hi.  fig.  2.  [male],  Phil. 
Museum,  No.  6486.; 

Sp.  (/iiARACT.  —  The  head  striped  with  dusky  and  white  ;  a  yellow 
line  from  the  nostril  to  the  eye  ;  shoulder  of  the  wing  edged  with 
greenish-yellow  ;  cheeks  and  breast  cinereous ;  throat  and  belly 
white  ;  above  varied  with  dusky,  bay,  and  light  brown.  —  Female, 
below,  and  stripes  on  the  head,  light  drab. 

Tnis  large  and  hand.^omc  Sparrow  is  seen  in  tliis  part 
of  Massachusetts,  only  as  a  transient  visitor  at  the  ap- 
proach of  winter,  or  in  spring,  about  the  first  week  in 
May.  In  the  Middle  and  Southern  States,  they  pass  the 
inclement  season,  and  appear  there  as  a  numerous  spe- 
cies. A  flock  even  of  these  birds  has  been  observed  in 
the  state  of  Now  York  in  the  month  of  January.  In 
their  hibernal  resorts,  they  are  seen  in  bands,  and  show 
a  predilection  for  thickets,  swamps,  small  streams,  and 
the  borders  of  ponds,  where,  among  the  tall  and  bleach- 
ing weeds,  they  continue  to  collect  the  seeds,  and  proba- 
bly insect  larva;,  which  constitute  their  usual  fare.  While 
here  they  keep  much  on  the  ground,  and  seek  out  cool 
and  shady  situations,  scratching  up  the  fallen  leaves  in 
41 


l^i- 


l!;:' 


489 


ciHANivonous  ninns. 


quost  of  worms  and  other  insectH,  nnd  are  at  tliis  time 
ofliMi  very  unsuspicious,  allowiiiff  a  near  approncli  with- 
out betraying  any  alarm  ;  but  wiien  in  large  flocits,  they 
move  about  in  timorous  haste  as  soon  as  approached. 
About  tiie  ir»th  of  April,  they  leave  the  Middle  States, 
and  prol»ab!y  retire  to  the  high  northern  latitudes  to 
breed,  having  been  seen  in  Newfoundland  in  summer  ; 
but  of  their  nest  and  eggs  we  arc  ignorant.  At  the  pe- 
riod of  breeding,  the  male  is  probably  musical,  as  already 
in  the  early  spring,  before  their  departure  to  the  North, 
on  fine  mornings,  they  are  heard  to  whisper  forth  a  few 
sweet  and  clear  notes,  as  in  a  reverie  of  the  approaching 
happiness  of  their  more  lively  and  interesting  condition. 
The  leiiglli  of  tliiH  spocieH  in  iibnut  7  iiiclifB  ;  tlie  alar  dimensions 
9  to  94.  A  Htriix-  of  wliitf  or  wliiliHJi  passfs  from  the  base  of  the 
upper  iiiamlililc  to  tlic  liiiul-lieiiil,  wliicli  in  bordered  on  either  side 
by  a  Htripe  of  l)rowniHh-bluck  ;  nnollier  pale  line  panses  over  the  eye, 
becoming  yellow  between  that  and  the  nostril ;  this  line  is  again 
borrlured  by  a  narrow  stripe  of  brownish-black  proceeding  from  the 
lower  angle  of  the  eye.  Tail  Hoinewliul  wedge-sliaped.  Legs  pale 
flesh-color.     Dill  bluish  horn-color,  pale  beneath.     Iris  hazel. 

BAY-WINGED  or  GRASS  FTNCII. 

{Fringilla  graminca,  Gmei..  Audubon,  pi.  94.  Orn.  Biog.  j.  p.  473. 

Embcriza  gramiiicn,  Wilson,  iv.  p.  51.  pi.  31.  fig.  5.) 
9v.  Chaiiact.  —  Breast  and  flanks  spotted  with  brown;  lesser  wing- 
coverts  bay  ;  the  '2  outer  tail-feathers  partly  white ;  above  brown- 
ish-grey, varied  with  dusky. 

This  plain-looking  Finch  chiefly  frequents  dry  pas- 
tures and  meadows,  and  is  often  seen  perched  on  the 
fences  and  in  the  orchard  trees ;  it  also  frequently  ap- 
proaches the  public  roads  and  gathers  its  subsistence 
tamely  from  various  sources.  It  is  abundant  in  the  Mid- 
dle States,  where  many  pass  the  whole  year,  yet  great 
numbers  also  winter  in  the  southern   parts  of  the  Union, 


mm- 


are  at  this  time 

iipproacli  with- 

rge  flocks,   they 

aa   approached. 

Middle   Htntcs, 

;rii    latitudes   to 

iiiid  in  Miimmer  ; 

mt.     At  the  pe- 

sical,  as  already 

ire  to  the  North, 

spcr  forth  a  few 

the  approaching 

psting  condition. 

tlie  alar  dimenHions 
om  the  base  of  the 
ered  on  eillier  side 
|)iisBe8  oviT  the  ey*, 
thiH  line  is  again 
iroceeding  from  the 
-shaped.  Legs  pale 
Iris  hazel. 

INCH. 

•rn.  Biog.  i.  p.  473. 
pi.  31.  fig.  5.) 
:>ro\vn ;  lesser  wing- 
■hite ;  above  brown- 

qucnts  dry  pas- 
perched  on  the 
■io  frequently  ap- 
;  its  subsistence 
dant  in  the  Mid- 
year, yet  great 
rts  of  the  Union, 


wiwiiiwira 


BAY-WINQEU  FINCH. 


489 


proceeding  as  far  as  the  maritime  diMtricts  of  Georgia. 
From  the  commencement  of  April  to  the  beginning  of 
June,  they  sing  with  a  clear  and  agreeable  note,  scarcely 
inferior  to  that  of  the  Canary,  though  less  loud  and  vari- 
ed. On  ilit'ir  first  arriviil,  as  with  the  Song  Sparrow, 
their  notes  are  often  given  in  an  under  tone  of  consider- 
able sweetness.  Their  song  begins  at  early  dawn,  and 
is  again  [leculinrly  frecpient  after  sun-set  until  dark, 
when,  from  the  fence  of  some  elevated  pasture-field,  in 
the  cool  of  the  summer  evening,  when  other  songsters 
have  retired  to  rest,  the  Grass  Sparrow,  more  than 
usually  wakeful,  after  a  silence  which  has  perhaps  con- 
tinued nearly  through  the  warmer  part  of  tlu!  day,  pipes 
forth  his  clear  and  .slender,  though  now  almost  monoto- 
nous song,  near  to  the  favorite  spot  where  his  mate  hatches 
or  fosters  her  tender  brood  ;  and  from  all  the  neighbour- 
ing meadows,  at  this  silent  hour,  as  the  lust  rays  of  the 
sun  are  reflected  from  the  dusky  horizon,  we  hear  a  con- 
stant repetition  of  an  echoing  and  shrill  tsh  'tsh  'tshe  te 
tsMtc  t.ihetr,  with  warbling  tones  blended  and  varied,  at 
the  beginning  and  close  of  this  simple,  rather  pensive, 
but  agreeable  ditty.  They  are  more  common  in  fields 
than  thickets,  and  run  along  the  ground  in  the  manner 
of  the  Lark.  They  likewise  frequent  ploughing  fields, 
searching  on  the  ground  for  insects,  and  are  very  fond  of 
dusting  them-selvcs  and  basking  in  dry  places. 

The  nest  is  built  on  the  ground,  in  tufted  grass,  sunk 
below  the  surface,  well  concealed,  and  formed  principally 
of  withered,  wiry  grass,  also  lined  with  the  same  and 
some  hair.  The  eggs,  4  or  ">,  arc  flesh-colored  white, 
with  2  or  3  shades  of  reddish-brown  confluent  spots, 
chiefly  disposed  at  the  greater  end.  Being  nearly  seden- 
tary, they  raise  probably  several  broods  in  the  season. 
Sometimes  when  ctarted  from  the  nest,  the  female  simu- 


."M 


¥■' 


-r,;.iS*SSfe.^S**&1S«^*3«RK 


484 


r.RANIVOROI'R   IIIHDB. 


Ifltps  UinenoMX  wtt'-  reiniirkal>l<'  «|pxlority  so  na  very 
readily  to  draw  ufl'  tin  atlcntioii  of  li<<r  ciioniicM  or  in- 
frudors.  The  young  ore  easily  rninrd  Iroiii  the  iit-Hf,  and 
become  very  tame,  clean,  and  domcHtic,  but  readily  quar- 
rel with  each    '♦'i<>r. 

Till-  li'iijrtli  of  till-  <JrnH«  Fincli  ia  nlioul  (i  or  (ij  iiiclieit,  rtkI  lOj  in 
ainr  cliiiifniiionii.  Prijimrie*  eAgvA  with  wliitUli.  Tiiil  portly  wedg- 
ed, lhi>  outer  fentlu'r  iiIiiiuhI  wholly  wliite,  exct-pt  loworilH  thi-  hane 
of  tliH  inner  wvh  1  the  iie.xt  le.itlitT  while  on  tlie  outer  vane,  and 
(»ometiine§)  alio  with  a  spot  of  the  lanie  color.  HreiiHt  nnd  flunk* 
while,  tinged  with  very  pule  hrown.  and  opotled  with  dnrk  pointed 
gpols  iihuiji  tiie  HhartH  ot  tlie  leiitiier»  ,  helly  ii'id  vnt  wiiite  ;  2d  and 
3d  priniariei  longest.  Hill  iiltove  <liiHky,  notched  nenrthetip;  be- 
neath paler.  J.eijrs  and  feel  pale  tlexh-ccdor.  Tarsus  \  ol  uu  iiicll.  — 
FciHiilc  hardly  diHlinguiHliahle  from  the  male  ;  the  iiputa  of  the  breaat 
■oinewhat  fewer  and  Hnmller. 


AMBIGUOUS  SPARROW. 

( Fringilla  "ambigua,  NobIii. ) 

Obikrv. —  Dusky  brownish-grey,  varied  with  edgings  of  brownish- 
white  ;  below  yellowiaii-white,  faintly  spotted  with  dull  grey  ; 
rump  grey;  chin  without  spots;  tail  immaculate,  cuneiform; 
3d  primary  much  longer  than  the  6th ;  legi  and  feet  very  ro- 
bust.    A  young  bird.     Adult.' 

Or  this  very  distinct,  and  plain,  mouse-colored  Spar- 
row, I,  at  present,  know  scarcely  any  thing,  excepting 
that  it  was  shot  in  this  vicinity  (Camhridgo)  in  tlic  early 
part  of  the  summer  of  18U0.  The  specimen  is  in  fresh 
plumage;  and  in  its  general  color,  both  above  and  below, 
with  the  very  unusual  length  and  pointedncss  of  the 
wings,  and  the  distinct  graduation  of  the  feathers,  it 
might,  without  looking  at  the  bill,  be  at  once  taken  almost 
for  the  common  Pewee.  The  only  American  species, 
to  which  it  bears  any  affinity,  is  the  Cinereous  Finch  of 
Aoonalashka,  nnd  the  Dusky  Grosb.  '  "i  reriuant,  but 
it  is  still  sufficiently  different. 


mm 


AMUI«i;Ot'8  MI<AWKU\V. 


485 


ly    so    p.M    very 

t'lictiiii'i*  or  iii- 

n  tho  iifHt,  and 

ut  rcailily  quur- 

iiichea,  and  lO^  in 

'I'liil  partly  wcdg- 

tt  tiiwnrilH  lliit  l)aiie 

R  outer  viitif,  and 

liroiiHt  niid  tluiikn 

with  fiiirk  pninted 

•'lit  \vliiti>  ;  2(1  nnd 

I  nciir  the  tip ;  be- 

HUH  \  of  (111  iiioli.  — 

Hpula  of  the  breoat 


l((iiig»  of  browniHU- 

d  with   dull  grey  ; 

culatp,  cuneiform; 

and  feet  very  ro- 

le-colored  Spar- 
tliin;^,  excepting 
Igo)  in  the  early 
iiincn  is  in  fresh 
ibovc  and  below, 
ntcdnoss  of  the 
the  feathers,  it 
ice  taken  almost 
nierican  species, 
lereotis  Finch  of 
><    rermant,  but 


This  hird  iH  in  fact  a  coni^onur  oi  the  Cow-Trftcpial, 
an  litvriii;  yet  it  dilTers  essoiMiaily  from  »-'"  young  of 
that  Npccios,  not  only  in  tho  colors  of  the  plumagi-,  htit  in 
thill  of  the  hill  nnd  h'>{»,  which  are  not  Mack.  The  bill 
i.s  also  narrower  ut  tho  sides.  The  size  is  ikewise  much 
smaller.  May  not  this  be  ilie  oifspriiiir  of  the  white  and 
more  sparingly  spotted  ox>j,  deposited,  occasionally  in  tho 
netts  of  the  Cow  Bird's  nurses  I  i  saw  one  of  those 
fouuiilinj(H  soon  after  hutchiiijr,  this  summer,  in  the  nost 
'•fa  WMson's  Thrush  ;  it  was  then  clothed  in  a  pale  al- 
most whitiih-gny  down,  nnd  already  differed  from  tho 
ordinary  parasite  ;  but  the  nest  was  robbed  .soon  after 
this  occurrence,  and  I  am  yet  unable  to  oiler  any  thing 
certain  upon  the  subject,  exceptinj^,  that  the  (iggs  are 
easily,  nnd  certainly,  recognizable  from  all  others. 

Th«  r,ou(r.\Viii^iMl  or  Mousf-nolorcd  Hpiirrnw  is  (ii  inrlieti  in  length. 
Lenglli  of  the  cloHed  wing  from  the  guinmit  of  tlic  Hhoulder  to  the 
point  3^1,  (or  I  of  an  inch  longer  than  in  the  preceding  gptoie».) 
TarsuH  1  inch,  (in  tin-  Iluy-wingcd  Spirrow  J  of  an  inch.)  Bill 
yellowisli-lirown,  rutlicr  long  nnd  robiist,  without  notch.  I.egH  and 
feet  very  Htoiit,  piili-  l>rowii ;  the  clawn  ohort,  thick,  nnd  rather 
blunt.  Above,  of  an  almost  tniiforin  brownish-grey,  the  tail  only  being 
:•  ihade  deeper  ;  most  of  the  featheis  below  the  neck  ond  down  •■)  the 
rump  are  Juift  st-nHibly  terminated  by  a  slight  edge  of  dull  brownish- 
white  ;  the  coverts,  tertiaW,  and  wing-feathers  more  broadly  margin- 
ed with  the  same  ;  the  Ist  primary  longest,  the  2d  and  3d  but  little 
shorter  ;  the  lib,  5th,  and  (ith  rapidly  decreasing;  the  1st  longer  than 
the  5th  by  |  of  an  inch  !  (in  tho  preceding  species  the  Ist  and  5th  ore 
not  very  different  in  length.)  Inner  lining  of  the  wing  dusky.  Toil 
plain  dusky-grey  and  cuneiform.  Beneath  pale  yellowish-white, 
the  chin  without  spots,  below  to  the  belly  thickly  clouded  with  shad- 
ed ill-detined  pale  dusky  spots.    The  rump  almost  plain  dark  grey. 

The  long  wings,  stout  legs,  and  plain  color,  ot  once  distinguish  this 
from  nil  other  North  American  Sparrows.    The  specimen  is,  however, 
a  young  bird,  and  may  undergo  some  alteration  of  plumage. 
41* 


W 


m 


V'' 


mtmm' 


COMMON  SONG-SPARROW. 

(Fringilla  melodia,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  125.  pi.  10.  fig.  4.  Audubon, 
pi.  25.  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  128.  F.fanciata?  Gmel.  Phil.  Museum, 
NO.C373.) 

Sp.  Ciiaract.  —  Crown  chesnut,  divided  by  a  greyish  line;  breast 
and  flanks  spotted  with  blackish-brown ;  tail  cuneiform,  unspot- 
ted ;  1st  primary  shortest:  body  above  varied  with  blackish, 
chesnut,  and  olive-grey. 

This  t"amiliar  and  almost  domestic  bird  {•?  one  of  the 
most  common  and  numerous  Sparrows  in  the  United 
States;  it  is,  also,  with  the  Blue-Bird,  which  it  seems  to 
accompany,  one  of  tlie  two  earliest,  sweetest,  and  mo3t 
enduring  warblers.  Though  many  pass  on  to  the  South- 
ern States  at  the  commencement  of  winter,  yet  a  few 
seem  to  brave  the  colds  of  New  England,  as  long  as  the 
snowy  waste  does  not  conceal  their  last  resource  of  nutri- 
ment. When  the  inundating  storm,  at  length,  arrives, 
they  no  longer,  in  the  sheltering  swamps,  and  borders 
of  bushy  streams,  spend  their  time  in  gleaning  an  insuf- 
ficient subsistence,  hut  in  the  month  of  November,  begin 
to  retire   to  the  warmer  stales  ;   and  here,  on  fine  days. 


■'v-^f!fii!~'<i'ai!nmm?^^'<mi!:m»r'-m%%ViSx^Xi  ri-/k^i^«*-»f!!VK^mtlsKm%'i:!'S>»>l»^m:!!!m^^!X~ 


IROW. 

10.  fig.  4.  Audubon, 
Gmel.    Pliil.  Museum, 

a  greyish  line ;  breast 

tail  cuneiform,  unspot- 

varied  with  blackish, 

bird  is  one  of  the 
Dws  ill  the  United 
,  which  it  seems  to 
sweetest,  and  most 
ss  on  to  the  South- 
winter,  yet  a  few 
land,  as  long  as  the 
st  resource  of  nutri- 

at  length,  arrives, 
amps,  and  borders 
1  gleaning  an  insuf- 
of  November,  begin 

here,  on  fine  days. 


'T' 


COMMON  SOKO-PPARROW. 


487 


even  in  January,  whisper  forth  their  usuaf"  strains.  As 
early  as  the  4th  of  March,  the  weather  being  mild,  the 
Song-Sparrow  and  the  Blue-Bird  here  jointly  arrive,  and 
cheer  the  yet  dreary  face  of  nature  with  their  familiar 
songs.  The  latter  flits  restlessly,  through  the  orchard 
or  neighbouring  fields;  the  Sparrow,  more  social,  fre- 
quents the  garden,  barn-yard,  or  road-aide  in  quest  of 
support,  and  from  the  top  of  some  humble  bush,  stake, 
or  taller  bough,  tunes  forth  his  cheering  lay,  in  fre- 
quent repetitions,  for  half  an  hour  or  more  at  a  time. 
These  notes  have  some  resemblance  to  parts  of  the  Ca- 
'nary's  song,  and  are  almost  uninterruptedly  and  daily 
delivered,  from  his  coming  till  the  commencement  of 
winter.  When  he  first  arrives,  while  the  weather  is  yet 
doubtful  and  unsettled,  the  strain  appears  contemplative, 
and  often  delivered  in  a  peculiarly  low  and  tender  whisper, 
which,  when  hearkened  to  for  some  time,  will  be  found 
more  than  usually  melodious,  seeming  as  a  sort  of  reverie, 
or  innate  hope  of  improving  seasons,  which  are  recalled 
with  a  grateful,  calm,  and  tender  delight.  At  the  approach 
of  winter,  this  vocal  thrill,  sounding  like  an  Orphean 
farewell  to  the  scene  and  season,  is  still  more  exquisite, 
and  softened  by  the  sadness  which  seems  to  breathe  al- 
most with  sentiment,  from  the  decaying  and  now  silent 
face  of  nature.  Our  songster,  never  remarkable  for 
sprightliness,  as  the  spring  advances,  delivers  his  lay 
louder  and  more  earnestly.  He  usually  begins  with  a  tsh' 
tsh'  iske  te  tshete  tshete,  and  blends  in  a  good  deal  of 
quivering  notes.  Individuals  also  excel,  and  vary  their 
song  from  time  to  time  with  very  agreeable  effect;  and 
it  is  only  because  our  familiar  vocalist  is  so  constantly 
heard  and  seen,  that  so  little  value  is  set  upon  his 
agreeable,  cheerful,  and  faithful  perforn^ance.  When 
not  attached  to  the  garden,  our  Sparrow  seems  fond  of 


11  % 


m 


m 


488 


GRANIVOROVS  BIRDS. 


frequenting  low  bushy  meadows,  streams,  swamps,  and 
watery  situations,  which  afford  him  ready  shelter,  and 
his  usual  food  of  worms,  insects,  larva;,  and  seeds.  Such 
situations  are  also  their  favorite  resorts,  when,  in  gregari- 
ous and  miscellaneous  flocks  with  other  congeneric  kinds, 
they  aro  seen  to  crowd  the  sheltered  marshes  of  the  South- 
ern States.  They  are  also  commonly  seen  nimbly  running 
along  the  ground,  and  gliding  through  low  thickets  in  quest 
of  their  insect  fare  ;  and  in  fine  weather  they  dust  them- 
selves, and  bask  in  the  sun.  They  often  likewise  frequent 
the  water,  being  fond  of  washing  ;  and  sometimes  are 
seen  to  swim  across  small  streams,  particularly  when  dis- 
abled from  flying,  by  a  gun-shot  wound. 

This  species  appears  to  abound  from  Canada  to  the 
Southern  States,  and  breeds  probably  more  or  less  in 
all  the  intermediate  region.  It  builds  usually  on  the 
ground,  a  little  below  the  level,  under  a  tuft  of  grass,  or  in 
a  low  bush,  and  occasionally  in  an  evergreen,  as  the  red 
cedar,  4  or  -5  feet  from  the  ground.  Sometimes  pushed 
for  a  situation  of  sufiicient  concealment  from  enemies,  I 
have  known  it  make  a  nest  in  the  hole  of  a  decayed  trunk, 
5  or  G  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  usuplly  formed  of  a 
considerable  portion  of  fine  dry  grass,  neatly  put  togeth- 
er, and  mostly  lined  with  horse-hair.  The  eggs,  4  or  5, 
are  greenish  or  bluish-white,  thickly  spotted  with  one  or 
two  shades  of  brown,  the  spots  sometimes  larger,  and 
chiefly  disposed  towards  the  larger  end  ;  at  other  times, 
very  small  and  numerous,  scattered  over  the  greater  part 
of  the  surface.  They  are  very  prolific,  raising  as  many 
as  3  broods  in  a  season,  the  young  being  occasional- 
ly hatched,  in  the  Middle  States,  from  the  close  of 
April  to  the  end  of  August.  They  are  very  solicitous 
for  the  safety  of  their  young,  keeping  up  at  this  time 
often  a  tiresome  chirping ;    and  on   the  destruction   of 


<ie>m 


mmm 


SAVANNAH  SPARUOW. 


489 


ni9,  swamps,  and 
eady   slicltcr,  and 
and  seeds.    Such 
when,  in  gregari- 
congcneric  kinds, 
shes  of  the  South- 
in  nimbly  running 
V  thickets  in  quest 
',r  they  dust  tliem- 
likcwise  frequent 
id  sometimes   are 
icularly  when  dis- 
I. 

m  Canada  to  the 
more  or  less  in 
i  usually  on  the 
tuft  of  grass,  or  in 
rgrcen,  as  the  red 
lometimes  pushed 
*  from  enemies,  I 
■  a  decayed  trunk, 
iplly  formed  of  a 
leatly  put  togeth- 
rhe  eggs,  4  or  5, 
)otted  with  one  or 
imes  larger,  and 
1  ;  at  other  times, 
!r  the  greater  part 
i,  raising  as  many 
aeing  occasional- 
om  the  close  of 
•e  very  solicitous 
g  up  at  this  time 
le  destruction   of 


the  female  and  most  of  her  young,  T  have  known  the  re- 
maining male,  with  unceasing  and  anxious  attention, 
raise  a  solitary  survivor  of  his  ruined  family,  with  the 
most  devoted  affection.  As  they  keep  the  youi.tr  and 
their  habitation  so  very  clean,  and  arc  so  prolific,  it  is  a 
matter  of  surprise,  that  they  do  not  re-occupy  the  premis- 
es ;  instances  are,  however,  not  wanting  in  which  they 
have  been  known  to  raise  two  broods  i>i  the  same  nest. 
Both  parents  join  in  the  duty  of  incubation,  and  alter- 
nately feed  each  other  while  so  en'Tasrcd. 

Tlie  Song-Sparrow  is  aliout  (i^  inches  long,  nnd  SJ  in  alar  extent. 
Head  chesnut and  dusky,  obscurely  divided  by  a  grey  line  ;  line  over 
the  eye  ash,  becoming  nearly  white  towards  tlie  bill ;  stripe  from  the 
lower  niandibh),  opening  of  the  mouth,  and  posterior  angle  of  the 
eye,  dark  cJiesnut.  IJreast  and  flanks  pointedly  spotted  with  cliesnut, 
the  spots  centered  with  black.  Chin,  belly,  and  vent  white,  the  last 
obscurely  and  faintly  spotted  with  pale  chesnut.  Tail  2J  inches 
long,  brown,  the  upper  feathers  centered  with  dusky.  Wings  pale 
dusky,  coverts  dusky-brown  and  bay,  edged  with  greyish-wliito,  ter- 
tials  darker ;  under-coverts,  or  lining,  and  the  ridgo  of  tlie  shoulder 
white  ;  3d  and  4th  primaries  longest ;  1st  primary  much  shorter  than 
the  (>th.  Legs  flesh-colored.  Iris  hazel.  Bill  above  dusky,  below 
purplish.  —  The  female  scarcely  differing  in  plumage. 


SAVANNAH   SPARROW. 

(Fringilla  Savanna,  Wilson,  iv.  p.  72.  pi.  34.  fig.  4.  [male],  and 
iii.  p.  .55.  pi.  22.  fig.  3.  [female.]  Fringilla  hiemalis?  Gmei,. 
Lath.  Pennakt,  No.  254.  [young.]  Phil.  Museum,  No.  6583, 
6584.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Line  over  the  eye  and  ridge  of  the  wings  yellow  ; 
breast  and  flanks  spotted  with  blackish  ;  tail  emarginate,  extend- 
ing about  an  inch  beyond  the  tips  of  the  closed  wings ;  1st  pri- 
mary equal  to  the  2d  :  above  varied  with  blackish,  brown  and 
grey,  or  white.  —  Female  darker. —  loung'  without  the  yellow 
marks,  and  with  the  spots  of  the  breast  greyish-dusky. 

This  Sparrow,   allied  to  the  preceding,    but  far   less 
familiar,  is  commonly  seen  in  this  part  of  New  England 


i-;»  t 


490 


GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


fiotn  April  to  October  ;  migrating  towards  the  South  in 
severe  weather,  though  many  pass  the  whole  winter  in 
the  Middle  States.  In  Georgia  and  West  Florida  they 
are  rather  numerous  at  this  season,  migrating  in  quest  of 
food  probably  from  the  West ;  and  the  whole  species  gen- 
erally show  a  predilection  for  the  warm  and  sheltered 
vicinage  of  the  sea,  where  the  seeds  and  insects  they  feed 
on  are  most  abundant.  On  their  first  arrival  in  Massa- 
chusetts, they  frequent  the  sandy  beaches  and  shores  of 
the  bays  in  quest  of  Cicindclee  and  other  coleopterous  in- 
sects, which  frequent  such  situations  ;  and  they  are  at  this 
time  exceedingly  fat,  though  their  moult  is  not  completed. 
In  summer  this  shy  and  timid  species  lives  wholly  in  pas- 
ture or  grass  fields,  and  often  descends  to  the  ground  in 
quest  of  food.  Its  nest,  also  laid  in  the  grass,  very 
similar  to  that  of  the  Song-Sparrow,  is  usually  built  about 
the  close  of  April. 

In  the  month  of  March,  in  Georgia,  I  observed  these 
Sparrows  in  the  open  grassy  pine  woods,  on  the  margins 
of  small  swamps  or  galls.  On  being  suddenly  surprised, 
they  often  flew  off  a  little  distance,  and  then,  if  followed, 
descended  to  the  ground  and  ran  and  hid  closely  in  the 
tall  tufts  of  grass.  Their  notes,  at  this  time,  were  very 
long,  piping,  and  elevated,  and  resembled  often  tshe  tship 
(ship  tship  tship  tshiji  tship,  then  tshn  ch'  tsh'  tsh'  tsh'  tsh' 
and  tsh'  tsh'  tsh'  tsh'  tsh'.  Some  of  these  notes  were  as 
fine  and  lively  as  those  of  the  Canary,  loud,  echoing, 
and  cheerful.  At  times,  this  species  also  utters  a  note 
almost  exactly  similar  to  the  chirpings  of  a  cricket,  so 
that  it  might  easily  be  mistaken  for  that  insect. 

The  length  of  this  specieB  is  about  6  inches,  and  9  in  alar  dimen- 
sions. (The  female,  about  5^  inches  long.)  The  head  is  dusky- 
brown,  with  some  shades  of  bay,  and  divided  indistinctly  in  tlie  cen- 
tre by  a  yellowish-wiiite  line.      The  rest  of  the  plumage  above  is  a 


1 


irds  the  South  in 
!  whole  winter  in 
tVest  Florida  they 
grating  in  quest  of 
ivhole  species  gen- 
irm  and  sheltered 
il  insects  they  feed 
.  arrival  in  Massa- 
hcs  and  shores  of 
er  coleopterous  in- 
[ind  they  are  at  this 
t  is  not  completed. 
ives  wholly  in  pas- 
>  to  the  ground  in 
n  the  grass,  very 
usually  built  about 

I  observed  these 
Is,  on  the  margins 
uddenly  surprised, 
1  then,  if  followed, 
hid  closely  in  the 
lis  time,  were  very 
ed  often  tshe  tship 
h'  tsh'  tsh'  tsh'  tsh' 
lese  notes  were  as 
•y,   loud,  echoing, 

also  utters  a  note 
[s  of  a  cricket,  so 
lat  insect. 

,  and  9  in  alar  dimen- 

The  head   is  dusky- 

ndistinctly  in  the  cen- 

he  plumage  above  is  a 


COMMON  8NOW-BIKD. 


491 


mixture  of  dusky  brownish-Mock,  with  grey,  white,  or  bay  ed{ring» 
to  the  feathers,  tlie  white  edgings  chiefly  on  the  upper  purl  of  the 
back.  Wings  and  tail  dusky,  edged  with  whitish,  the  tail  only  2 
inches  long,  with  the  feathers  pointed.  Chin  wliite  ;  sides  of  the 
neck,  breast,  and  flanks  with  dark  pointed  spots  edged  wilii  bay. 
Belly  white.  Inner  ridge  of  the  wings  touched  with  pale  yellow ; 
tertials  very  dark  ;  (the  black  predon)in.ttes  much  more  in  this 
than  in  tho  preceding  species.)  Legs  pale  flesh-color,  the  hind  claw 
long  and  sharp.  Bill  above  dusky,  below  purplish,  inclining  to  yel- 
low, notched  slightly  near  tlie  point.  —  Male  with  more  white  on  the 
chin,  breast,  and  sides  of  the  face. 

Note.  There  is  little  doubt,  but  that  the  young  of  this  species 
is  the  F.  hicmalis  of  Gmelin  and  Pennant,  though  the  wing-coverts 
are  not  edged  with  real  white  ;  Wilson's  name,  however,  must  re- 
main, as  the  Linna3an  hiemalisiB  also  a  synonyme  of  the  Snow-Bird. 


COMMON  SNOW-BIRD. 

(Fringilla  nivalis,  hiii.    (F.  Iiudsonia),  Wii.bok,  ii.  p.   129.  pi,   16. 

fig.  6.  [in  winter  plumage,]     f.  Aie»na/js,  Audubon,  pi,  13.     Orn. 

Biog.  i.  p.  72.     Pliil,  Museum,  No.  0532.) 
Sp.  CiiARACT.  —  Bluish-black,  inclining  to  grey;  belly  and  lateral 
tail-feathers  white. 

This  hardy  and  very  numerous  species,  common  to 
both  continents,  pours  in  {locks  from  the  northern  re- 
gions into  the  United  States  about  the  middle  of  October, 
where  their  appearance  is  looked  upon  as  the  presage  of 
approaching  winter.  At  this  season  they  migrate  into 
the  Southern  States  in  great  numbers,  and  seem  to  arrive 
in  augmenting  hosts  with  the  progress  of  the  wintry 
storms  and  driving  snows,  before  which  they  fly  for  food 
rather  than  shelter ;  for,  even  during  the  descent  of  the 
whitening  inundation,  and  while  the  frightful  tempest  still 
rages  without  abatement,  these  hardy  and  lonely  wander- 
ers are  often  seen  flitting  before  the  blast  ;  and,  seeking 
advantage  from  the  sweeping  current,  descend  to  collect 


P' 


499 


ORANIVOnoUS  BIRDS. 


a  scanty  pittance  from  the  frozen  and  exposed  ground, 
or  stop  to  collect  the  seeds,  which  still  remain  upon  the 
unshorn  weeds,  rising  through  the  dreary  waste.  At 
such  times  they  are  also  frequently  accompanied  by  the 
Snow  Bunting,  the  humbly  dressed  Yellow  Bird,  and 
the  querulous  Chicadee.  Driven  to  straits,  however,  by 
hunger,  they  at  length  become  more  familiar,  and  are  now 
seen  about  the  barns  and  out-houses,  spreading  them- 
selves in  busy  groups  over  the  yard,  and  even  approach- 
ing the  steps  of  the  door  in  towns  and  cities,  and  glean- 
ing thankfully  from  the  threshold  any  crumbs  or  acciden- 
tal fragments  of  provision.  Amidst  all  this  threatening 
and  starving  weather,  which  they  encounter  almost  alone, 
they  are  still  lively,  active,  and  familiar.  The  roads, 
presenting  an  accidental  resource  of  food  for  these  north- 
ern swarms,  are  consequently  more  frequented  by  them 
than  the  fields.  Before  the  severity  of  the  season  com- 
mences, they  are  usually  only  seen  moving  in  families  ; 
and  the  parents,  watchful  for  the  common  safety,  still 
continue  by  reiterated  chirpings  to  warn  their  full-grown 
brood  of  every  approach  of  danger,  and,  withdrawing 
them  from  any  suspicious  observation,  wander  off  to  se- 
curer ground.  At  this  time  they  frequent  the  borders  of 
woods,  seek  through  the  thickets  and  among  the  fallen 
leaves  for  their  usual  food  of  seeds,  and  dormant  insects, 
or  their  larv.-e.  Their  caution  is  not  unnecessary,  for  on 
the  skirts  of  the  larger  flocks  the  famished  Hawk  prowls 
for  his  fated  prey,  and  descending,  with  a  sudden  and 
successful  sweep,  carries  terror  through  all  the  wander- 
ing and  retreating  ranks. 

In  the  latter  end  of  March  or  beginning  of  April,  as 
the  weather  begins  to  be  mild,  they  reappear  in  flocks 
from  the  South,  frequenting  the  orchard  trees,  or  retreat- 
ing to  the  shelter  of  the  woods,    and  seem  now  to  prefer 


COMMON  SNOW-UIRD. 


493 


!  exposed  ground, 
I  roniJiiti  upon  the 
reary  waste.  At 
;ompanied  by  the 
iTellow  Bird,  and 
ails,  however,  by 
liliar,  and  arc  now 

spreading  them- 
id  even  approach- 
cities,  and  glean- 
runibs  or  acciden- 
I  this  threatening 
inter  almost  alone, 
liar.  The  roads, 
;)d  for  these  north- 
3quented  by  tiiem 
r  tlie  season  com- 
iving  in  families  ; 
imon  safety,  still 
n  their  full-grown 
and,  withdrawing 
wander  off  to  sc- 
ent the  borders  of 

among  the  fallen 
:1  dormant  insects, 
nncccssary,  for  on 
shed  Hawk  prowls 
th  a  sudden  and 
[h  all  the   wander- 

iining  of  April,  as 
reappear  in  flocks 
d  trees,  or  retreat- 
ecm  now  to  prefer 


the  shade  of  thickets  or  the  sides  of  hills,  and  frequently 
utter  a  <'ew  sweet,  clear,  and  tender  notes,  alnio.it  similar 
to  the  touching  warble  of  the  European  Rol)in  Red- 
breast. The  jealous  contest  for  the  selection  of  mates 
already  ai.so  takes  place ;  soon  after  which  they  retire, 
mostly  to  tiie  remote  northern  or  arctic  regions  to  breed ; 
though,  according  to  Wilson,  many  also  remove  only  to 
the  high  ranges  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  whore,  in  the 
interior  of  Virginia,  and  towards  the  western  sources  of 
the  Susquehanna,  they  also  breed  in  great  numbers; 
fixing  their  nests  on  the  ground,  or  among  the  grass,  the 
pairs  still  associating  in  near  communion  with  each  other. 

In  Europe  this  species  dwells  almost  wholly  among  the 
wild  recesses  of  the  Alpine  Mountains  of  Swit/erUiud, 
the  Pyrenees,  and  the  high  northern  chains  on  the  limits 
of  the  region  of  perpetual  ice  !  In  the  winter,  less  driv- 
en by  necessity,  or  less  encouraged  by  the  inviting  scope 
of  an  extensive  continent,  they  there  only  migrate  into 
the  mountainous  countries,  a,nd  rarely  descend  into  the 
plains.  Their  food  is  also  observed  to  be  insects,  pine 
seeds,  and  those  of  aquatic  plants.  They  likewise  nest 
upon  the  rocks,  or  in  their  crevices,  and  lay  3  to  5  eggs,  of 
a  pale  green,  scattered  with  irregular  touches  and  points 
of  cinereous,  blended  with  spots  of  dark  green. 

The  Snow-Bird  is  64  to  7  inches  long.  The  general  color  is  bluish 
or  leaden  black,  inclining  to  grey  ;  the  lower  parts  from  the  breast  to 
the  tail  white.  ^Three  secondary  quills  next  the  body  edged  with  pale 
brown,  the  primaries  with  white.  Tail  dusky,  emarginate.  Bill 
and  legs  jwle  yellowish  flesh-color  in  winter ;  in  summer  the  bill  is 
black,  and  the  feet  brown.  Iris  bluish-black.  —  Femaie  and  young 
tinged  with  brown.  —  By  the  wearing  of  the  edges  of  the  feathers, 
in  the  course  of  the  season,  the  male  becomes  of  a  deeper  and  clearer 
color. 

48 


•mm 


494 


URANIVOBOUB  BIKUS. 


SAVANNA    FINCH,  or  YELLOW-SHOULDERED 
SPARROW. 

(FringiHa  savanarum,  Omel.  Latxam,  i.  p.  443.  No.  31.  and  Sy- 
nopsis, iii.  p.  UIO.  So.  27.  F.  passerina,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  70.  pi.  24. 
fig.  5.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  6685.) 

Sp.  CiiAHAcT.  —  lireast  pale  brownigh-yellow  ;  line  over  the  eye, 
■boulder,  and  lesser  wing-coverls  yellow ;  tail-featliers  rather 
pointed,  the  outer  portly  whitish. 

This  small  Sparrow  is  a  summer  resident  in  the  United 
States,  and  is  likewise,  according  to  Sloanc,  a  common 
species  in  the  savannas  or  open  glades  of  the  island  of 
Jamaica.  From  what  little  is  known  of  it,  as  a  bird  of 
the  United  States,  it  appears  to  remain  on  the  sheltered 
plains  of  the  sea-coast  of  New  York  and  New  Jer.sey  un- 
til the  very  commencement  of  winter.  It  is  also  observ- 
ed in  the  lower  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  and  about  the  mid- 
dle of  May  or  later,  they  are  occasionally  seen  in  the 
gardens  of  this  vicinity,  on  their  way  apparently  to  some 
other  breeding  station.  On  these  occasions  they  perch 
in  slieltered  trees  in  pairs,  and  sing  in  an  agreeable  voice 
somewhat  like  that  of  the  Purple  Finch,  though  less  vig- 
orously. In  the  West  Indies,  they  live  much  on  the  ground, 
and  run  like  Larks,  flying  low  when  flushed,  and  soon 
alighting.  Their  nest  is  likewise  fixed  on  the  ground, 
among  the  grass,  where  they  collect  their  usual  fare  of 
seeds  and  insects.  It  ;  made  of  loose,  dry  stalks  of  dead 
grass,  and  lined  with  hair  and  root-fibres.  The  eggs, 
5,  are  of  a  greyish-white,  spotted  with  brown,  and  the  fe- 
male has  been  observed  sitting  as  late  as  the  1st  of  Au- 
gust. They  probably  retire  to  the  West  Indies  or  Mexi- 
co to  pass  the  winter,  as  they  are  not  seen  at  this  season 
in  any  of  the  Southern  States. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  from  4^  to  5  inches,  olar  extent  about 
8.     Upper  part  of  the  head  blackish,  divided  by  a  slight  pole  line  ; 


-~-!-Jj~(. 


«V-SIIOULDERED 

).  443.  No.  81.  and  Sy- 
^'iLDON,  iii.  p.  7G,  pi,  24. 

w ;    line  over  the  eye, 
tv;    tail-feathura  rather 

;idcnt  in  the  United 

Sloane,  a  common 
Ics  of  the  island  of 
I  of  it,  as  a  bird  of 
in  on  the  sheltered 
ind  New  Jersey  un- 
it is  .ilso  observ- 

and  about  the  mid- 
iionally  seen  in  the 

apparently  to  some 
jcasions  they  perch 
1  an  agreeable  voice 
ich,  though  less  vig- 
much  on  the  ground, 
1  flushed,  and  soon 
ted  on  the  ground, 

their  usual  fare  of 
i,  dry  stalks  of  dead 
t-fibres.  The  eggs, 
h  brown,  and  the  fe- 
e  as  the  1st  of  Au- 
/^est  Indies  or  Mexi- 

seen  at  this  season 

nches,  alnr  extent  about 
d  by  a  slight  pole  line ; 


mf^mmi^m 


"^mm^'^-^- 


TREE  SPARIIOW. 


405 


hind-head  and  neck  with  toiinhes  of  dunky-brown  and  white;  cheeki 
browni«h.white ;  buck  varied  with  blackidi,  brown,  and  pale  ash ; 
shoulders  of  the  wings  above  and  below,  and  lesser  coverts  of  the 
same,  olive-yellow  ;  primaries  and  tail,  drab,  the  feathers  of  the  laf. 
ter  rather  pointed  ;  breast  without  s|)ots,  yellowish-white  with  a 
tinge  of  brown.  Belly  an.l  vent  white.  Legs  flesh-rolor.  Bill  dui- 
ky,  pale  bluish-white  below.  — The  two  sexes  are  nearly  alike. 


TREE  SPARROW. 

(Frinffilla  canadensis,  Lath.  I\  arborea,  Wilson, ii.  p.  123.  pi.  16. 
fig.  3.   Phil.  Museum,  No.  »)575.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Crown  bright  bay  ;  stripe  over  the  eye,  sides  of  th« 
neck,  chin,  and  breast,  pale  ash  ;  wings  with  two  white  bars  ;  bUl 
black,  the  lower  mandible  yellow  ;  legs  and  feet  dusky  ;  1st  pri- 
mary shorter  than  the  3th  and  '.id. 

This  handsome  winter  Sparrow  arrives  from  the 
northern  regions  in  New  England  about  the  close  of  Oc- 
tober, witluirawing  from  Hudson's  Bay  and  the  neigh- 
bouring countries  some  time  in  the  month  of  September. 
The  species,  consequently,  like  many  more  of  our /V/m^i/- 
las,  only  measures  his  speed  by  the  resources  of  subsist- 
ence he  is  able  to  obtain,  and  thus  straggling  southward, 
as  the  winter  advances,  he  enters  Pennsylvania  only 
about  the  beginning  of  November  ;  there,  as  well  as  in 
the  maritime  parts  of  Massachusetts,  and  perhaps  as  far 
south  as  Virginia,  the  Tree  t^parrow  is  often  seen  as- 
sociated with  the  hardy  Snow-Birds,  gleaning  a  similar 
kind  of  subsistence  ;  and  when  the  severity  of  winter  com- 
mences, leaving  the  woods,  gardens,  and  uplands  in 
which  ho  is  an  occasional  visitor,  he  seeks  in  company 
the  shelter  of  some  bushy  swamp,  thickly  .shaded  brook, 
or  spring.  Near  Fresh  Pond,  in  this  vicinity,  they  are 
at  that  season  numerous,  and  roost  together  near  the 
margin  of  the  reeds,  almost  in  the  society  of  the  Black- 
birds, who  seek  out  a  similar  place  of  warmth  and  shelter 
as  the  chilling  frosts  begin  to  prevail. 


400 


URANIVOROUB  BIRUH. 


At  Jlii«  cool  and  gloomy  scnson,  and  down  to  the  close 
of  the  first  week  in  November,  nn  thoy  \m»n  from  branch 
to  brnncli,  and  play  capriciouHly  round  each  other,  they 
keep  up  almost  perpetually  a  low  and  pleasant  lirpiid  war- 
ble, not  much  unlike  that  of  the  Yellow  Bird  (Fringilla 
<m//s),  but  less  variol  SometiuK-M  two  or  threiMit  the 
same  time  will  tune  up  s'torrdit  s'irredil  wrrt,  and  s'wai- 
dit  s'waidit  wrrt,  accompanied  by  some  tremulous  trilling 
and  variation,  which  thi  tigh  rather  sad  and  querulous, 
is  heard  at  this  silent  season  with  peculiar  delight.  In 
summer,  during  the  breeding-time,  it  is  likely  they  ex- 
press considerable  melody. 

According  to  Mr.  Ilutchins,  they  breed  around  the 
Ilud.'ion's  Bay  settlements,  making  a  nest  in  tli.  herbage, 
formed  externally  of  mud  and  dry  grass,  and  lined  with 
soft  hair  or  down,  probably  from  vegetables,  ir  the  man- 
ner of  the  Yellow  IJml  The  eggs,  about  i),  are  said  to 
be  pale  brown,  marked  with  darker  spots  of  the  same 
color.  About  the  beginning  of  April,  they  leave  the 
Middle  States  for  their  summer  quarters,  and  arrive 
around  Severn  river  in  May  ;  they  also  probably  prop- 
agate in  Newfoundland,  wher  :  they  have  been  observ- 
ed. With  us,  they  are  still  see.i  in  numbers  to  the  19th 
of  April. 

The  Tree  Sparrow  is  about  6  to  6J  inches  long,  at  the  most,  and  9 
to  94  in  alar  extent.  —  The  whole  ni)per  part  nf  tiie  liead  bright  bay 
without  any  dividing  line  ;  sometimes  this  color,  however,  isHlightly 
skirted  with  grey  ;  stripe  over  the  eye  white  at  its  commencement 
near  the  mandible,  backwards  fading  into  pale  ash-color  ;  the  centre 
of  the  breast  marked  with  an  obscure  spot  of  dark  drown  jiartly  hid- 
den beneath  tlie  other  feathers.  From  the  lower  angle  of  the  bill, 
and  behind  the  eye,  proceeds  a  small  stripe  of  cliesnut.  Sides  under 
the  wings  and  towards  the  belly  pale  brown.  The  back  varied  with 
brownish  black,  bay,  and  drab  ;  lower  part  of  the  back  and  rump 
pale  greyish-brown ;  lesser  wing-coverts  deep  ash-color ;  wings 
dusky,  the  primaries  edged  with  dull  white  a»  well  as  the  tail,  the 


Awfc '.  I  -^ 


niiPi'iNo  HrAitiiow. 


407 


1  down  to  the  close 
y  |)ns!H  from  liranch 
i(i  each  other,  they 
)lea!4iint  liquid  war- 
ow  llird  ( I'rhigilla 
two  or  threes  nt  the 
'///  wrft,  and  s'wai- 
c  IreuiulouH  trilling 
mi\  and  querulous, 
culinr  doii)r|it.  In 
t  is  likely  they  cx- 

l)rcc(l  n round  the 
lest  in  ill.  herbage, 
188,  and  lined  with 
tallies,  ir  the  man- 
bout  /j,   are  said  to 

spots  of  the  same 
ril,  they  leave  the 
arters,  and  arrive 
ilso  probably  prop- 
have  been  observ- 
unibsrs  to  the  19th 

)ng,  at  tht!  most,  and  0 
of  tlip  head  bright  bay 
or,  )iowever,  is  Hhghtly 
at  its  comnienceinent 
!  ash-color  ;  the  centre 
[Inrk  drown  partly  hid- 
wt'f  angle  of  the  bill, 
chesnut.  Sides  under 
The  hack  varied  with 
if  the  back  and  rump 
ep  ash-color ;  wings 
a  well  as  the  tail,  the 


leeondaries  with  pale  brown  ,  the  Ut  and  2d  row  of  coverts  brondly 
edged  with  bright  bay  and  lipl  with  irltite.  Tail  iliinky,  (iirked,  more 
Ihiin  iii  iiirhi-H  long;  centre  of  the  belly  and  vent  white.  Hill  black, 
the  under  iimndible  yellow  below  the  tip,  |  of  an  inch  long.  Legs 
dusky  brown,  feet  ahnost  black, and  robust. 


CHIPPING  SPARROW. 

(Frin<;ilhi  sociaUs,  Wilson,  ii.  p.  r.'7.  pi.  Ifi.  fig.  5.     Phil.  Museum. 

No.  6.'i7i.) 

8p.  Cinn.itT.  — The  4  first  primaries  nearly  of  a  length;  frontlet 
black  ;  crown  chesnnt  :  chin  and  line  f)Ver  the  eye  whitish  ■ 
breast  and  sides  of  the  neck,  pale  ash  ;  bill  black  ;  legs  and  feet 
slender,  pale  flesh-color ;  hind  nail  shorter  than  tlie  toe, 

Tni.s  species,  with  the  Soiia-Sparrow,   is  probably  the 
most  numerous,  common,  and  familiar  bird    in  the    Unit- 
ed States  ;    inhabiting  from  Labrador  to  the  table  land  of 
Mexico,  and    we.stward  to  the   banks  of  the  Missouri. 
Aware  of  the  many  parasitic   enemies  of  the   feathered 
race  which  it   has  to  encounter,  who  prowl   incessantly, 
and  particularly  in  quest  of  its  eggs,  it  approaches  almost 
instinctively    the  precincts  of  houses,  barns,  and  stables, 
and  frequently  ventures  into  the  centre  of  the  noisy  and 
bustling  city  to  seek,  in  the  cultivated  court,  an   a.^ylum 
for  its  expected  progeny.     Soon  sen.siblo  of  favor  or  im- 
munity, it  often  occupies  with  its  nest  the  thick   shrubs 
of  the  garden    within   a  few   yards  of  the   neighbouring 
habitation,  by  the  side   perhaps  of  a  frequented  walk,  in 
the  low  rose-bush,  the  lilac,  or   any  other  familiar  plant 
affording  any  degree  of  shelter  or   security,  and  will  at 
times   regularly  visit  the   threshold,  the   piazza,  or  farm 
yard    for  the   crumbs  which  intention  or  accident  may 
afford  it.     On  other  occasions,   the   orchard   trees   are 
chosen  for  its  habitation,  or  in  the  lonely  woods,  an  ever- 
green, cedar,  or  fir  is  selected  for  the  purpose.    It  makes 
no  pretensions   to  song,  but  merely  chips,  in  complaint, 
42* 


nRANIVOROI'H   HIRDII. 


when  molnMed,  or  moiintini^  tlip  low  hon((h«  of  some  or- 
clianl  troo  or  sliruh,  utti^rs  a  quickly  nrticulntiul  nscend- 
ing  'tnh  'tsh  7.<A  't.ih  'tsh  t*hi-  tshr,  iiiinoBt  like  the  jing- 
ling of  fiirthingH,  and  a  little  roiKcmblini?  the  fiiint  war- 
ble of  the  ('fiimry,  lint  without  nny  of  itn  variety  or  loud- 
ness. This  note,  such  ns  it  in,  is  contiuuud  often  fur  half 
nn  hour  at  a  time,  but  is  little  louder  than  the  ciiirping 
of  n  cricket,  and  uttered  by  the  male  while  attending  his 
brooding  mate.  For  many  weeks,  through  the  summer, 
and  during  fine  weather,  this  note  is  often  given  from 
time  to  time  in  the  night  like  the  reverie  of  a  dream. 

The  nest  of  the  Chipping  Bird  varies  sometimes  con- 
siderably in  its  materials  and  composition.  The  external 
layer,  seldom  so  thick,  but  that  it  may  be  readily  seen 
through,  is  composed  of  dry  stalks  of  withered  grass,  and 
lined  more  or  less  with  horse  or  cow  hair.  The  eggs 
are  4  and  5,  of  a  bright  though  not  deep  grconish-blue 
color,  with  a  few  spots  of  dark  and  lighter  brown  chiefly 
disposed  at  the  greater  end.  They  are  usually  narrowed 
considerably  at  the  small  end,  though  occasionally  they 
are  almost  oblong.  The  Cuckoo  destroys  many  eggs  of 
this  timid,  harmless,  and  sociable  little  bird,  as  their 
nests  are  readily  discovered,  and  numerous;  on  such  oc- 
casions, the  little  sufferer  expresses  great  and  unusual 
anxiety  for  the  security  of  her  charge,  and  after  being 
repeatedly  robbed,  the  female  sits  closely  sometimes  up- 
on perhaps  only  two  eggs,  desirous  at  any  rate  to  escape, 
if  possible,  with  some  of  her  little  offspring. 

Towards  the  close  of  summer,  the  parents  and  their 
brood  are  seen  busily  engaged  collecting  seeds  and  in- 
sects, in  the  neighbouring  fields  and  lanes,  and  now  be- 
come .so  numerous,  as  the  autumn  advances,  that,  flitting 
before  the  path  on  either  side  as  the  passenger  proceeds, 
they  almost  resemble  the   falling  leaves  of  the  season, 


tnjjliJt  of  dome  or* 
rticulntod  nftccnd- 
Dst  like  the  jing* 
iiii{  tlin  fiitnt  wnr- 
itH  variety  or  loud- 
iu(!(l  often  for  lialf 

tlinii  the  chirping 
hilc  nttendiiig  hU 
)ugh  the  Nummer, 
often  given  from 
ie  of  a  dream, 
es  somotiincs  con- 
ion.  Tlio  external 
ly  1)0  readily  Hcen 
ithercd  grnstH,  and 
V  hair.  The  eggs 
lecp  greenish-bluo 
liter  brown  chiefly 
I  uKually  narrowed 

occasionally  they 
•oys  many  eggs  of 
tie  bird,  as  their 
iroua ;  on  such  oc- 
7reat  and  unusual 
,  and  after  being 
nely  sometimes  up- 
iny  rate  to  escape, 
)ring. 

parents  and  their 
ing  seeds  and  in- 
unes,  and  now  be- 
inces,  that,  flitting 
assenger  proceeds, 
res  of  the  season, 


rfllD  OR  RUHII  HPARftt 


40U 


rustling  heforo  the  cheorloss  blast  ;  and  finally,  nn  their 
food  fails,  and  the  first  snows  begin  to  appear,  advertis- 
ed of  the  threatening  famini',  they  disappear  and  winter 
in  the  Hoiithern  dtates.  In  the  month  of  January,  in 
Georgia,  during  the  continuance  of  the  cool  weather,  and 
frosty  nights,  I  fretjuently  heard,  at  dusk,  a  confused 
chirping  or  piping,  like  that  of  frogs,  and,  at  length,  dis- 
covered the  noise  to  proceed  from  dense  flocks  of  the 
Chipping  S|)arrows,  roosting  or  huddling  near  together  in 
a  pile  of  thick  brush ;  where,  with  the  Song-Sparrow, 
also,  they  And  means  to  pass  the  cool  nights. 

This  Hpecici  ii  about  5  to  SJ  inchei  inlenj^h,  and  H  in  alar  extent. 
Tlie  frontlet  is  nearly  black  ;  chin  and  line  over  the  eye  whitiih  ; 
crown  chegnut ;  the  breast  and  sides  of  the  neck  pale  ash ;  rump 
dark  cinereous ;  belly  and  vent  white.  Back  varied  with  brownish- 
black  and  hay.  Wiiiirs  duuky,  broadly  edged  with  bright  chesnut. 
Tail  dusky,  forked,  edged  with  yellowish-white.  Bill  in  winter 
black,  in  Huininer  the  lower  mandible  is  flesh-colored.  Legs  and 
feet  pale  flesh-color,  tarsus  |  of  an  inch.  — The  female  has  lesi 
black  on  the  frontlet,  and  tlie  bay  duller. 


FIELD  OR  RUSH  SPARROW. 

(Fringillii  jitncorum,  Nobis.  Sylvia  juncorum,  L\th.  ii.  p.  611. 
Little  Urown  Sparrow,  Catksbv,  Car.  i.  p.  35.  F.  pnsilla,  WiL- 
80.N,  ii.  p.  121.  pi.  It),  fig  2.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  6360.) 

3p.  Ciiaract.  —  The  1st  primary  shorter  than  the  tjth  ;  crown  ches- 
nut; body  above  varied  with  bay,  drab,  and  o  little  dusky; 
cheeks,  throat,  and  breast,  pale  brownish  drab  ;  bill  and  slender 
legs,  brownish  cinnamon-color,  the  latter  paler ;  hind  noil  aa 
long  as  the  toe. 

Tuis  small  species,  in  size  and  general  color,  is  scarcely 
distinguishable  from  the  Chipping  Sparrow  ;  it  is  how- 
ever much  brighter,  inclining  more  to  bay  above,  and 
the  tail  is  about  half  an  inch  longer  in  relative  propor- 
tion. 


i 


500 


ORANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


The  Small  Brown  Sparrow  arrives  in  Pennsylvania 
and  New  England  from  the  Southern  States,  where  it 
passes  the  winter,  in  the  beginning  of  April.  It  is  wi'h 
us  a  shy,  wild,  and  retiring  species,  partial  to  dry  hills 
and  pastures,  and  open,  bushy,  secluded  woods,  living 
much  in  trees.  In  autumn,  indeed,  the  pair  accompa- 
nied by  their  brood  in  small  flitting  flocks,  leave  their 
native  wilds,  and  glean,  at  times,  in  the  garden  or  orch- 
ard ;  yet  but  little  is  now  seen  of  them,  as  they  only  ap- 
proach cultivated  grounds  a  few  weeks  before  their  de- 
parture. These  Sparrows,  if  indeed  they  are  the  same  as 
those  described  by  Wilson,  in  winter,  flock  together  in 
great  numbers  in  the  Southern  States,  and  mingling  with 
the  Chipping  Birds,  and  other  species,  they  now  line  the 
roads,  fences,  and  straggling  bushes,  near  the  plantations 
in  such  numbers,  as,  with  tlieir  sober  and  brown  livery, 
to  resemble  almost  ashowei  of  rustling  and  falling  leaves, 
continually  haunting  the  advancing  steps  of  the  travel- 
ler, in  hungry,  active  flocks,  driven  by  the  storms  of 
winter  into  this  temporary  and  irksome  exile.  But,  no 
sooner  does  the  return  of  early  spring  arrive,  than  they 
flit  entirely  from  the  Southern  wilds,  to  disperse  in  pairs 
and  seek  out  again  their  favorite  native  regions  of  the 
North. 

The  nest  of  this  species,  built  on  the  ground,  in  the 
mere  shelter  of  some  grassy  tuft  or  accidental  small  bush, 
is  made  often  wholly  of  the  fine  stalks  of  dried  grass ; 
sometimes  it  is  lined  also  with  horse-hair.  The  eggs,  5 
or  6,  are  so  thickly  sprinkled  with  ferruginous  as  to  ap- 
pear almost  wholly  of  that  color.  They  raise  usually 
two  broods  in  a  season  in  the  Middle  States. 

Our  little  bird  has  a  pretty  loud  and  shrill  note,  which 
may  be  heard  at  a  considerable  distance,  and  possesses 
some  variety  of  tone   and  expression.     Sometimes   it  is 


DS. 

ives  in  Pennsylvania 
em  States,  wlierc   it 

of  April.  It  is  wi*h 
3,  partial  to  dry  hills 
eluded  woods,  living 
1,  the  pair  accompa- 
g  flocks,  leave  their 
I  the  garden  or  orch- 
lem,  as  they  only  ap- 
r-eks  before  their  de- 

they  are  the  same  as 
ter,  flock  together  in 
is,  and  mingling  with 
es,  they  now  line  the 
,  near  the  plantations 
jer  and  brown  livery, 
ng  and  falling  leaves, 

steps  of  the  travel- 
:n  by  the  storms  of 
iome  exile.  But,  no 
ing  arrive,  than  they 
,  to  disperse  in  pairs 
native  regions  of  the 

a  the  ground,  in  the 
iccidental  small  bush, 
•talks  of  dried  grass  ; 
;e-hair.  The  eggs,  5 
ferruginous  as  to  ap- 
They  raise  usually 
e  States. 

ind  shrill  note,  which 
stance,  and  possesses 
on.     Sometimes   it  is 


FIEt-n  OR  RUSH  SPARROW. 


501 


something  like  twe  twee  twdi,  tw  'tw  'tw  'tw  'im  'tw,  begin- 
ning loud  and  slow,  and  going  up  and  down,  shrill  and 
quick,  with  a  reverberating  tone  almost  as  rapid  as  the 
drumming  of  the  Ruffed  Grous.  At  other  times  the  sound 
appears  like  tc  tie  fie  lie  de  d'  d'  a"  d'  d'  d'  dr',  rapid  and 
echoing  ;  then  wrrt  wert  weed  wnt  th  'd  'd  'd  'd  'd  'd,  also 
wcet  wect  weit  wect,  wV  wV  wt'  ivt'  frr;  the  whole  of 
these  notes  rising  and  running  together  into  a  short  trill, 
something  like  the  song  of  the  Canary,  but  less  varied, 
and  usually  in  a  querulous  or  somewhat  plaintive  tone, 
though  towards  the  close  of  summer,  I  have  heard  indi- 
viduals, nearly  as  musical  and  warbling  as  the  Common 
Yellow-Bird.  These  tones  are  also  somewhat  similar  to 
the  reverberations  of  the  Chipping  Bird,  but  quite  loud 
and  sonorous,  and  without  the  changeless  monotony  of 
that  species.  In  fact,  our  bird  would  be  worthy  a  place 
in  a  cage  as  a  songster  of  some  merit.  Like  most  of  the 
Sparrows,  the  food  of  this  species  consists  of  seeds  and 
insects,  and  they  also  search  the  leaves  and  branches 
at  times  in  quest  of  moths,  of  which  they  appear  fond. 

The  Field  Sparrow  is  about  ."ij  inches  long.  (In  the  New  Eng- 
land male  bird)  the  head  is  simply  chesnut  without  any  dividing 
line,  and  the  brownish  tint  beneath  very  obscure,  the  color  being 
more  of  a  dirty  white ;  the  l)elly,  breast,  and  vent  lire  almost  pure 
white.  Above  chesnut  predominates,  thoiigh  the  feathers  are  edged 
with  drab,  and  lined  in  the  centre  with  dusky  ;  greater  wing-coverts 
edged  and  tipt  with  brownish-white ;  rump  drab,  inclined  to  brown. 
Tail,  from  the  insertion  of  tiie  rump  nearly  3  inches,  dusky,  forked, 
and  edged  with  whitish.  First  primary  shorter  than  the  tith,  the  3d 
longest.  Bill  reddish  cinnamon-color,  a  hard  knob  in  the  upper 
mandible  as  in  Emhrriza.  Legs  and  feet  pale  yellow,  scarcely  in- 
clining to  brown,  the  tarsus  \  of  an  inch. 


II- 

Mk 


\> 


\K. 


502 


GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


SWAMP  SPARROW. 

(Fringilla  georgiana,  Lath.  i.  p.  460.  No.  86.  F.  palustris,  Wil- 
son, iii.  p.  4S>.  pi.  22.  Rg.  1.  [male].  Audubon,  pi.  64.  Orn.  i. 
p.  ;W1.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  (ioCi).) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Tlie  1st  primary  shorter  than  the  (3th  ;  front  black- 
ish ;  crown  bay,  undivided  ;  line  over  the  eye,  sides  of  the  neck, 
and  breast,  ash-color;  bill  robust,  dusky,  the  lower mandil)le  yel- 
lowish towards  the  base  ;  legs  and  feet  very  stout,  the  hind  nail 
longer  than  the  toe ;  tarsus  J  of  an  inch. 

The  aquatic  habitsof  this  common  though  little  known 
species  is  one  of  its  mo-t  remarkable  peculiarities.     In 
New    England    they  arrive   from    the    Southern    States, 
where  they  winter,   about  the  middle  of  April,   and  take 
up  their  summer  residence   in  the   swamps  and  marshy 
meadows,   through   which,    often,    without   flying,    they 
thread  their  devious  way   with   the  same  alacrity  as  the 
Rail,   with    whom   they   are   indeed  often   associated  in 
neighbourhood.     In  consequence  of  this  perpetual  brush- 
ing through  sedge   and    bushes,  their  feathers  are  fre- 
quently so  worn  that  their  tails  appear  almost  like  those 
of  rats,  and  are  very  often  flirted  in  the  manner  of  the 
Wagtail.     Occasionally,  however,  they  mount  to  the  tops 
of  low  bushes  or  willow  trees  and   chant  forth  a  few  trill- 
ing, ratlier  monotonous  minor  notes,  resembling,  in  some 
measure,  the  song  of  the  preceding  species,  and  appearing 
like   iwe  tin'  tw'  tw'  tw'  tw  twe,  and  twV  ttn'l  'tw  tw'  twe, 
uttered  in  a  pleasant  and  somewhat  varied  warble.  These 
notes  are  uttered  with  considerable  effort,  and  sometimes 
with  a  spreading  of  the  tail.     In  the  spring,  on  their  first 
arrival,    this   song   is  delivered   with  much   spirit,    and 
echoes  through  the  marshes  like   the  trill  of  the  Canary. 
The  sound  now  resembles  the   syllables  'tw  'tw  'tw  'twee 
'twee  'tw  'twe  'twe,  or   'tshp  'Ishp  'tshe  'tsh  'Ish  'tsh  'tsh, 
beginning  loud,  sweet,   and  somewhat  plaintive,  and  the 


T' 


SWAMP  SPAnROW. 


503 


V. 

5.  F.  palustris,  Wil- 
lUBON,  pi.  64.    Orn.  i. 

ti  the  Ctli ;  front  black- 
eye,  sides  of  the  neck, 
he  lower  in.inclil)le  yel- 
ery  stout,  the  hind  nail 

though  little  known 
I  peculiarities.     In 

Southern  States, 
of  April,  and  take 
vvamps  and  marshy 
ithout  flying,  they 
me  alacrity  as  the 
jften  associated  in 
lis  perpetual  brush- 
ir  feathers  are  fre- 
\r  almost  like  those 
the  manner  of  the 
y  mount  to  the  top  > 
int  forth  a  few  trill- 
esembling,  in  some 
cies,  and  appearing 
wP  tw'l  'tw  tw'  twS, 
tried  warble.  These 
fort,  and  sometimes 
;pring,  on  their  first 

much  spirit,  and 
trill  of  the  Canary, 
les  'tw  'tw  'tw  'twee 
he  'tsh  'Ish  'tnh  'tsh, 
It  plaintive,  and  the 


song  is  continued  till  late  in  the  morning,  and  after  sun- 
set in  the  evening.  This  reverberating  tone  is  again 
somewhat  similar  to  that  of  the  Chipping  Sparrow,  but 
far  louder  and  more  musical.  In  the  intervals  he  de- 
scends into  the  grassy  tussucks  and  low  bushes  in  quest 
of  his  insect  food,  as  well  as  to  repose  out  of  .sight ; 
and,  while  here,  his  movements  are  as  silent  and  secret 
as  those  of  a  mouse.  The  rice  plantations  and  river 
swamps  are  their  favorite  hibernal  resorts  in  Louisiana, 
Georgia,  and  the  Carolinas ;  here  they  are  very  numer- 
ous, and  skulk  among  the  cauus,  reeds,  and  rank  grass, 
solicitous  of  concealment,  and  always  exhibiting  their 
predilection  for  watery  places.  In  the  breeding-season, 
before  the  ripening  of  many  seeds,  they  live  much  on  the 
insects  of  the  marshes  in  which  they  are  found,  particu- 
larly the  smaller  coleopterous  kinds,  Carabi  and  Curcu- 
lioncs. 

Thsy  form  their  nosts  in  the  ground,  often  in  the  shel- 
ter of  some  dry  tussuck  of  sedge  or  other  rank  grass,  in 
the  midst  of  the  watery  marsh  in  which  they  dwell. 
Their  eggs  are  4  or  5,  of  a  dirty  white,  spotted  with  red- 
dish brown.  They  probably  raise  2  or  3  broods  in  the 
season,  being  equally  prolific  with  our  other  Sparrows. 
They  express  extreme  solicitude  for  their  young,  even 
after  they  are  fully  fledged  and  able  to  provide  for  them- 
selves ;  the  young  also,  in  their  turn,  possess  uncommon 
cunning  and  agility,  running  and  concealing  themselves 
in  the  sedge  of  the  wet  meadows.  They  are  quite  as 
difiicult  to  catch  as  field  mice,  and  seldom  on  these  emer- 
gencies attempt  to  take  wing.  We  have  observed  one 
of  these  sagacious  birds  dart  from  one  tussuck  to  another, 
and  at  last  dive  into  the  grassy  tuft  in  such  a  manner,  or 
elude  the  grasp  so  well,  as  seemingly  to  disappear  or 
burrow  into  the  earth.     Their  robust  legs  and  feet,  us 


504 


GHANIVOROUS  BIRriS. 


i 

I 


m  ii 


well  as  long  claws,  seem  purposely   provided   to   accele- 
rate this  clinging  and  running  on  the  uneven  ground. 

The  length  of  the  Swamp  Sparrow  is  nliout  6  inohes;  (1  have 
measured  young  birds  54,)  and  aboi-t  8  in  alar  dimensions.  The 
crown  bright  bay,  margined  behind  and  in  Iront  with  blackish  ;  back 
of  the  neck  dark  grey  ;  the  anterior  poitioii  of  the  line  passing 
over  the  eye  is  whitish,  inclining  to  ash  ;  riiin  whitisli ;  a  stripe  of 
blackish  proceeds  from  the  lower  mandible,  and  another  from  the 
posterior  angle  of  the  eye.  Back  blackish-brown,  the  feathers  mar- 
gined with  light  bay,  and  some  touches  of  yellowish-white  ;  wing- 
coverts  briglit  bay  and  a  little  black,  without  any  edgings  of  whitish. 
Wings  and  tail  dusky,  the  primaries  edged  with  brownish-white,  the 
secondaries  with  bay ;  3d  and  4th  primaries  the  longest.  Belly  and 
vent  brownish-white  (in  the  female  nearly  white).  Bill  dusky,  the 
lower  mandible  yellowish  below.  Iris  dark  hnzel.  Legs  very  stout 
and  long,  and,  as  well  as  the  feet,  pale  brownish  horn-color ;  claws 
strong  and  sharp.  —  Yuuiig  spotted  with  black  and  olive-brown,  not 
bay,  the  breast  also  streaked  with  dusky. 

SHORE  FINCH. 

(Fringilla  *litloralis,  Nobis.     Oriohis  eaudacntus,  Lath.   Orn.  i.  p. 

\m.   No.    43.     l\   caudueuta,   Wilson,  iv.  p.  70.  pi.  U.  fig.  3. 

Phil.  Museum,  No.  6442.) 
Sp.  Chahact.  —  Two  stripes  of  brownish-orange,  inclining  to  buff 

on  each  side  of  the  head  ;    breast  pale  buff  with  small  blackish 

spots  ;  tail  wedge-shaped  with  the  feathers  acute. 

The  Shore  Finch  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  low  islands 
and  marshy  sea-coasts  from  New  York  to  Georgia,  living 
on  small  .shrimps,  marine  insects,  and  probably  grass- 
seeds,  moving  through  the  rank  herbage  nearly  with  the 
same  agility  and  timidity  as  the  Swamp  Sparrow,  to 
which,  in  the  structure  of  the  feet  and  stoutness  of  the 
bill,  it  bears  considerpble  affinity.  These  birds  are  not 
rare,  though  not  so  numerous  as  the  Maritime  Sparrow, 
v.'ith  which  they  commonly  associate. 

The  Shore  Finch  is  about  ^  inches  long,  and  ^\  in  alar  extent. 
Back  yellowisli-brown  olive,  some  of  the  feathers  edged  with  semi- 


ft. 

provided   to   accele- 
unevcii  jfround. 

out  6  incliPB;  (1  hnve 
aliir  dimeiisionB.  Tho 
Diit  with  blackisli ;  back 
oil  of  the  line  pushing 
iiin  wliitisli ;  a  stripe  of 
and  nnotlier  from  the 
own,  the  feathers  niar- 
yellowisli-wlMte  ;  wing- 
.  any  edgings  of  whitisii. 
dtii  brownish-wiiite,  the 
tiie  longest.  Belly  and 
vhite).  Bill  dusky,  the 
hazel.  Legs  very  stout 
■nish  horn-color  ;  claws 
ck  and  olive-brown,  not 


icutus,  Lath.  Orn.  i.  p. 
iv.  p.  70.  pi.  M.  fig.  3. 

irange,  inclining  to  buff 
iitf  with  small  blackish 
rs  acute. 

t  of  the  low  islands 
rk  to  Georgia,  living 
tnd  probably  ji^rass- 
jage  nearly  with  the 
5wanip  Sparrow,  to 
ind  .stoutness  of  the 
These  birds  are  not 
Maritime  Sparrow, 

',  and  7\  in  alar  extent, 
ithers  edged  with  semi- 


SEA-SIDE   FINCH. 


505 


circles  of  white.  Wing-coverts  and  tertials  brown-black,  broadly 
edged  witli  pale  rufous.  Tail  short,  wedge-shaped,  all  the  feathers 
sharply  pointed.  Cliiii  wliitish ;  breast  yellowish-while,  with  point- 
ed dark  spots  ;  belly  white  ;  vent  and  rump  dark  buff;  the  former 
Bpntted  with  dusky.  From  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible  a  broad 
stripe  of  cinereous  e.^tends  over  the  crown  to  the  hind-head,  bordered 
on  either  side  by  one  of  dusky-brown.  Bill  dusky.  Legs  pale 
browuish-yellow.     Iris  hazel. 


t  SHARP-TAILED  FINCH. 

{Fringilla  raudacuta,  Lath.  Index  Ornith.  i.  p.  459.  No  83.) 

Sp.  Charact. —  Varied  with  l)idwn  and  pale  rufous,  throat  of  the 
latter  color  and  a  line  of  the  same  over  the  eyes;  neck  l)ehind 
darkish  rufous;  tail  even,  the  feathers  sharp-pointed;  bill  and 
legs  pale. 

Tims  .species,  described  by  Latham  as  coming  from 
Georgia,  known  also  by  the  name  of  Spotted  Grey  Spar- 
row, ap])ear.«  to  possess  the  same  lowly  habits  as  the  two 
preceding  species,  living  chiefly  among  the  grassy  herb- 
age, and  probably  near  the  coast.  It  has  yet,  however, 
escajjed  all  our  ornithologists.  Our  Sparrows  do  not 
chan;.;e  their  plumage  so  much  at  any  period,  as  to  give 
any  probability  to  the  opinion,  that  this  bird  may  bo  a 
variety  of  the  preceding.  Besides,  the  length  of  this  indi- 
vidual, only  4^  inches,  is  incompatible  with  the  size  of 
the  Shore  Finch.  With  much  doubt  it  is  quoted  by 
Prince  Bonaparte  as  a  synonyme  for  Fringilla  navana- 
rum ;  the  feathers  of  the  tail,  however,  in  this  species, 
are  scarcely  fit  all  pointed. 


SEA-SIDE  FINCH. 

{Fringilla  maritima,  Wilson,  iv.  p.  68.  pi.  34.  fig.  2.    Auddbos,  pi. 
93.  Orn.  i.  p.  470.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Stripe  over  the  eye  and  edge  of  the  shoulder  yel- 
low ;  breast  cinereous ;  belly  white  ;  vent  buff,  spotted  with  dus- 
ky ;  tail  rounded  ;  bill  rather  stout  and  long. 
43 


506 


ORANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


It^^ 


This  species  is  not  uncommon  in  tlie  mnrilime  marshy 
grounds,  wm\  in  tlic  sea  islands  along  the  Atlantic  coast, 
from  Massachusetts  to  the  Southern  States.  It  confines 
its  excursions  almost  wholly  within  the  bounds  of  the 
tide-water,  leaviii<jr  its  favorite  retreats  for  more  inland 
situations  only  after  the  prevalence  of  violent  easterly 
storms.  In  (piest  of  marine  insects,  Crustacea,  shrimps, 
and  minute  sludl-fish,  it  courses  along  the  borders  of  the 
strand  with  all  the  nimhlenessof  a  Sandpiper,  examining 
the  sea-w  eeds  and  other  exuvise  for  its  fare ;  it  seeks  out 
its  prey  also  at  dusk,  as  well  as  at  other  times,  and  usu- 
ally roosts  on  the  ground,  like  the  Lark.  In  short,  it  de- 
rives its  whole  subsistence  from  the  margin  of  the  ocean; 
and  its  flesh  is  even  imbued  with  the  rank  or  fishy  taste 
to  be  expected  from  the  nature  of  its  food.  At  other 
times  it  remains  amidst  the  thickest  of  the  sea-grass,  and 
climbs  upon  the  herbage  with  as  much  dexterity  as  it 
runs  on  the  ground.  Its  feet  and  legs,  for  this  purpose, 
are  robust,  as  in  the  Swamp  Sparrow.  According  to 
Audubon,  they  nest  on  the  ground,  in  the  bushy  parts  of 
the  salt  marshes  which  are  elevated  above  the  flow  of  the 
tides.  This  habitation  is  made  ofcoar.se  grass  and  lined 
with  finer  portions  of  the  same.  The  eggs  are  4  to  6, 
greyish-white,  speckled  over  with  brown.  They  appear 
to  rear  two  broods  in  tlio  season. 

The  lenglli  ot'tliis  species  is  fi.^  iiielies.  Cliiii  white,  bordered  by 
a  cinereous  stripe  ;  crown  brownish-olive,  witii  ii  stripe  of  cinereous. 
Above  yellowisli-brown  olive,  Viiried  with  pale  ijreyish-blue  ;  (rreater 
and  lesser  coverts  lipt  with  dull  white;  primaries  edited  with  yellow 
beneath  the  coverts.  Hill  dusky  ubove,  piiler  below.  Legs  and  feet 
pale  bluish-white.     Irids  hazel.  —  The  sexes  nearly  alike. 


T 


!  maritime  marshy 
tlic  Atlantic  coast, 
States.  It  confines 
the  bounds  of  the 
ts  for  more  inland 
af  violent  easterly 
rustacea,  shrimps, 
the  borders  of  the 
id|)ipcr,  examining 
fare  ;  it  seeks  out 
or  times,  and  usu- 
k.  In  short,  it  de- 
irgin  of  the  ocean  ; 
rank  or  fishy  taste 
s  food.  At  other 
'  the  sea-grass,  and 
icli  doxtority  as  it 
,  for  this  purpose, 
\v.  According  to 
tlic-  bushy  parts  of 
ove  the  How  of  the 
rse  grass  and  lined 
;  eggs  are  4  to  G, 
vvn.     Tiiey  appear 

ill  whitp,  bordered  by 
1  n  stripe  of  cinereous. 
■  greyish-blue  ;  irrenter 
ries  edsri'd  with  yeUow 
below.  Legs  and  feet 
learly  alike. 


YELLOW-niRI),  OR  AMERICAN  OOLnPINCir. 


507 


§  II.     In  these  species  the  palate  is  scooped  and  grooved. 
Subgenus.  —  Cahdijelis. 
The  bill  somewhat  lengthened,   narrower  than  the  head,  straight, 
and  compressed  ;  both  mandibles  acute. 


YELLOW-BIRD,  or  AMERICAN  GOLDFINCH. 

(Friin;illa  trislis,  L.  WiLsoy,  i.  p.  20.  pi.  1.  fig.  2.  [male.]  Honap. 
Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  57.  pi.  (5.  fig.  4.  [female]  Aw.  pi.  3.3.  Orn.  i.  p.  172. 

Sp.  Chakact.  —  Wings  black,  varied  with  white  ;  tail-feather.<)  black, 
interiorly  white  towards  the  tips.  —  Mulr,  in  summer  dress,  yel- 
low ;  crown  black.  —  Female,  ijoung,  and-autnmnnt  male,  brown- 
olive  ;  beneath  yellowish-white. 

This  common,  active,  and  gregarious  Goldfinch  is  a 
very  general  inhabitant  of  tlie  United  States.  It  is  also 
found  in  summer  in  tiie  remote  interior  of  Canada,  near 
Lake  Winnipique,  in  the  49th  degree  of  latitude.  On 
the  other  hand  it  is  also  met  with  in  Mexico,  and  even  in 
Guiana  and  Surinam  in  tropical  America,  where  they  fre- 
quent the  savannas.  Although  many  of  these  birds,  which 
spend  the  summer  here,  leave  at  the  approach  of  winter, 
yet  hungry  flocks  are  seen  to  arrive  in  this  part  of  New 
England  throughout  that  season  ;  and  sometimes,  in  com- 
pany with  the  Snow  Buntings,  in  tiie  inclement  months 
of  January  and  February,  they  may  be  seen  busily  em- 
ployed in  gleaning  a  scanty  pittance  from  the  seeds  of  the 
taller  weeds,  which  rise  above  the  deep  and  drifted  snows. 
As  late  as  the  loth  of  September  I  have  observed  a 
nest  of  the  Yellow-bird,  with  the  young  still  unfledged. 
Their  migrations  are  very  desultory,  and  do  not  probably 
extend  very  far,  their  progress  being  apparently  governed 
principally  by  the  scarcity  or  abundance  of  food  with 
which  they  happen  to  be  supplied.  Thus,  though  they 
may  be  numerous  in  the  depth  of  winter,  as  soon  as  the 
weather    relaxes,   in  the  month  of  March,  scarcely  any 


508 


QRANivoRous  niRns. 


more  of  them  are  to  be  seen,  having  at  this  time,  in  quest 
of  sustenance,  proceede«l  prol)al)iy  to  the  southern  ex- 
tremity of  the  United  States.  Those  observed  in  tropi- 
cal America,  may  be  hibernal  wanderers  from  the  cooler 
parts  of  Mexico.  At  all  events,  they  select  the  milder 
climates  of  the  Union,  in  wiiich  to  pass  the  breeding 
season,  as  at  this  time  they  are  but  rarely  seen  in  the 
Southern  States,  Kentucky  being  about  the  boundary  of 
their  summer  residence. 

Naturally  vagrant  and  wandering,  they  continue  to  live 
in  flocks,  or  in  near  vicinage,  even  throughout  the  great- 
est part  of  the  selective  season.  As  the  fine  weather 
of  spring  approaches,  they  put  ofl'  their  humble  winter 
dres,^,  and  the  males,  now  ajipoaring  iu  their  temporary 
golden  live  y,  are  heard  tuning  their  lively  songs  as  it 
were  in  concert,  -sevi^ral  sitting  on  the  same  tree,  enjoy- 
ing the  exhilara'ing  scene,  basking  and  pluming  them- 
selves, and  vying  with  each  other  in  the  delivery  of  their 
varied,  soft,  and  cheerful  warble.  They  have  also  the  fac- 
ulty of  sinking  and  raising  their  voices  in  such  a  delightful 
cadence,  that  their  music  at  times  seems  to  float  on  the 
distant  breeze,  scarcely  louder  tiian  the  hum  of  bees;  it 
then  breaks  out,  as  it  were,  into  a  crescendo,  which  rings 
like  the  loud  song  of  the  Canary.  In  cages,  to  which 
they  soon  become  familiar  and  reconciled,  their  song 
is  nearly  as  .sonorous  and  animated  as  that  of  the  lat- 
ter. When  engaged  in  quarrel,  they  sometimes  hurl 
about  in  a  whole  flock,  some,  as  it  were,  interfering  to 
make  peace,  others  amused  by  the  fray,  all  uttering  loud 
and  discordant  chirpings.  One  of  their  most  common 
whining  calls,  while  engaged  in  collecting  seeds  in  gar- 
dens, where  they  seem  to  be  sensible  of  their  delin- 
quency, is,  'maif  be,  'tiiat/  he.  They  have  also  a  common 
cry  like  'tskeveet   'tshcvee,  uttered  in  a  slender  complain- 


I 


vnt.i.ow-niKD,  ou  amkrican  uoMiFiNnr. 


500 


this  timr,  in  qunat 
I  tlir   soiitliern  cx- 

obhcrvrd  ill  tropi- 
3rB  from  tho  cooler 
select  tho  milder 
pass  the  breeding 
.  rarely  seen  in  the 
ut  the  boundary  of 

ley  continue  to  live 
oiiffhout  the  great- 
!  the  fine  wciither 
lir  humble  winter 
in  their  temporary 
r  lively  songs  as  it 
G  same  tree,  enjoy- 
nd  |)lnming  them- 
he  delivery  of  their 
f  have  also  the  fac- 
in  such  adelij^htful 
ms  to  float  on  the 
e  hum  of  bees ;  it 
cendo,  wiucii  rings 
n  cages,  to  which 
nciied,  their  song 
as  that  of  tiie  lat- 
;y  sometimes  hurl 
'ere,  interfering  to 
y,  all  uHcriiifir  loud 
>eir  most  comnion 
cting  seeds  in  gar- 
>le  of  their  delin- 
ave  also  a  common 
slender  complain- 


ing nccent.    These,  and  some  other  twittering  notes,  are 
fre<|uenlly  uttered  at  every  im|)ulse,  while  pursuing  their 
desultory  waving  lligbt,  rising  and  falling  as  they  shut  or 
expand  their  laboring   wings.     They   are  partial  to  gar- 
dens and   domestic  premises,  in  the  latter  end  of  sum- 
mer and   autumn,   collecting  oily  seeds  of  various  kinds 
and  shilling  them  with  great   address  and   familiarity,  if 
undisturbed  often  hanging  and  moving  about  head  down- 
wards, to  suit  their  convenience,  while    thus  busily   and 
craftily  employed.    They  have,  like  the  true  (ii)l(lfiuch,  a 
particular  fomlness  for   thistle  seeds,  and  those  of  other 
compound  Howers,  spreading  the  down  in  clouds  around 
them,  and  at  this  time  feeding  very  silently  and  intently; 
nor  are  they  very  easily  disturbed  while  thus  engaged  in 
the  useful  labor  of  destroying  the  germs  of  these  noxious 
weeds.  They  do  some  damage  occasionally  in  gardens,  by 
their  indiscriminate  destruction  of  lettuce  and  (lower  seeds, 
and  are  therefore  often  disliked  by  gardeners  ;   but  their 
usefulness,    in   other   respects,    far  counterbalances  the 
trifling  injuries  they  produce.     They  are  very  fond,  also, 
of  washing  and  bathing  themselves  in  mild  weather;  and 
as  well  as   tender  bud.s  of  trees,  they   sometimes   collect 
the  Confervas  of  springs  and  brooks  as  a  variety  to  their 
usual  fare. 

They  raise  sometimes  two  broods  in  the  sca.son,  as 
their  nests  are  found  from  the  first  week  in  July  to  the 
middle  of  September.  The  nests  are  often  built  in  tall 
young  forest  trees  or  lofty  bushes,  as  in  the  sugar  maple, 
elm,  spice-bush,  and  cornel.  They  are  made  of  strips  of 
bass,  hemlock  bark,  and  root  fibres,  with  a  filling,  at 
times,  of  withered  downy  stalks  of  apple-true  leaves, 
old  oak  catkins,  and  other  softish  rubbish  ;  then  bedded 
and  lined  within  with  thistle  down,  the  pappus  of  the 
button-wood  {r/atnnus),  or  sometimes  cow-hair,  and  fine 


a  ; 


' 


610 


aRAMvnnoi!**  iiinnii. 


ifii^ji 


bcnt-grans.  A  few  lint-tlirfiuls  of  Inilinn  Immp  and  cater* 
pillars'  silk,  aro  occasionally  thrown  over  tin-  cxtrTior  ma- 
terials, anil  a^r^rluiiuiitt'd  to  tlicni  tor  tlic  purpose  ul'  more 
securely  linidin^  the  whole  tojjetlicr.  They  never  niaki- 
use  of  any  ext«'riial  patcln's  of  in  Inn,  nor  use  this  sub- 
stance in  any  inannor ;  and  the  i'<2\i^,  !{  to  ;*»,  aro  white, 
withiiiit  tiiii/  .■<iots.  'I'his  (h'scription  is  taken  from  S  nests 
of  the  same  bird,  which,  withH  or  4  more  not  inspected, 
wer(!  all  made  towards  the  close  of  summer,  chic^tly  in  tlie 
Botanic  (jarden  at  Cambridge.  I  have,  the  pres(!nt  sea- 
son (IHUI),  examined  several  more  nests  ajfreeiiifr  with 
the  above  description  ;  and  from  the  late  period  at  which 
they  bet^in  to  breed,  it  is  impossible  that  they  can  ever 
act  in  the  capacity  of  nurses  to  the  Cow  Trtiopial.  This 
procrastination  appears  to  be  occa.Montid  by  the  lack  of 
suflicienlly  nutritive  diet,  the  seeds  on  which  they  prin- 
cipiilly  feed  not  ri|)eniinr  usually  before  July. 

TliP  Aiiiericnii  (inldfiiicli  Ih  ncviT  Iohs  lliiui  .''i  iiiohpR  in  lonutli  ;  of 
a  rich  iciiion-yfllow,  but  m-arly  wliile  mi  llic  rump  niul  vent,  iind  a 
litlh' puliT  iin  llif  u[)|ifr  pari  of  the  Imck.  Tlic  crown,  wings,  and 
tail,  liliick  ;  the  HJiouldtT  mid  its  ooviTU  olivi'-yt-llow,  liidinjr  into 
white;  tlu- gi eater  coverts  and  Icrtiuls  tipt  and  edj^ed  with  wliite  > 
the  tail  liandsouiely  forked,  with  the  fenlhcrs  acute  at  the  points,  and 
shaded  (ilf  into  white  on  the  inner  webs  towards  tlieir  tips.  The  bill 
and  lejrs  pule  reddisli-yellow,  the  latter  niuuh  fainter.  —  In  the  month 
of  Septend)er  the  iniile  moults  into  a  new  and  humble  dress  of  brown- 
ish olive,  nearly  similar  to  th.it  of  the  female  ;  the  winfj-coverts  and 
tertials  .ire  now  edsjed  with  white,  sliL'hUy  tinyid  with  rufous.  At 
this  time,  the  bill  and  feet  are  brownish.  Some  males  are  |)rovided 
with  a  white  wing-spot,  visible  only  when  the  coverts  are  elevated. 


ARKANSAS  SISKIN. 

( Fritigilla  psaltria,  Sav.    Bonap.   Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  54,  pi.  C.  fig.  3. 

[male].     Phil.  Museum,  No.  6278.) 
Sr.  CnAiiArT.  —  Olivaceous;  beneath  wholly  yellow  ;  crown,  win^s, 
and  tail  black;    a  white  wing-sput;    lesser  wing-coverts  dusky 


ARKANSAS  8INKIIV.       PINR  Fl\«ll. 


8U 


n  Immp  and  cnter- 
•r  tlir-  fxti-rior  ina- 
t'  |)iir|)osr  ol'  more 
Tlicy  iinvcr  make 

iii>r  us«!  this  Hub- 
■\  to  r>,  arc  white, 
taken  Crom  S  nests 
ore  not  inspected, 
ner,  cliietly  in  tlie 
\  tlie  present  sea- 
ests  affreeiiijr  with 
:e  period  nt  which 
liat  they  can  ever 
V  Troopial.  'I'his 
led  hy  tlie  lack  of 
1  wliich  they  prin- 

July. 

i  iiioliPH  in  Icnfrdi  ;  of 
riiiiip  niul  vt'iit,  nnd  a 
i>  crown,  wingH,  and 
i'-yfllo\v,  i'udinir  into 
id  td(,red  with  white  ; 
•utea!  thi-  pnints.  nnd 
s  thi'ir  tips.  The  bill 
inter.  —  In  the  month 
uuihlf  dre»8  of  brown- 
thf  witifj-doverls  and 
lord  with  rut'ims.  At 
10  niah>H  arc  provided 
!  coverts  are  elevated. 


i.  p.  ■>4.  pi.  C.  fig.  3. 
278.) 

ellow  ;  crown,  wings, 
wing-coverts  duaky 


olive  ;    ft  outer  tail-featheri  white  on  U»e  middle  of  the  inner   web, 
Itlack  at  ti]i. 

This  .species,  fir.st  described  by  Mr.  Say,  was  met  with 
in  the  month  of  Jnly,  near  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tuin.s,  .south  of  i\w  river  IMatte,  and  probably  exists  in 
Me.xico.  ,\s  usual,  it  lives  in  trees  and  bnslies,  sings 
sweetly,  and  nmcli  in  the  manner  of  the  V<!lou-Hird. 
The  sp(!cim.-n  was  a  male  ;  the  female,  nnd  any  other 
vesture  of  plumage,  are  unknown. 

The  Ailt.iiina  Si^kin  in  i\  inclien  lonjr.  Crown  blnrk ;  rheeks 
dunky  cihve  ;  neik,  back,  and  rump  olivnie.niH,  iiiin;irled  with 
dusky  and  y.lji.wish;  upper  tail-roverls  black,  varied  with  olive, 
Uenealli  j.iin.  yellow.  Wiiijjs  brownish-black,  smaller  winij-covert* 
the  Hnnie,  but  slightly  tinjred  with  blue,  and  edged  with  olive  ;  greot- 
er  winjr-eoverts  lipt  with  while,  forniinir  a  bar  arross  the  wiiiu; ;  3d 
to  the  7lli  primaries  white  towards  the  base,  priidin  iiijr  a  wliil.-  spot 
beyond  liie  coverts;  (irst  I  primaries  nearly  e<pial,  'nh  shorter  ;  the 
seoondanes  broadly  maririned  with  white  exteriorly  towards  their 
tips.  Tail  blackish,  sliffhtly  emarginaled,  edged  will,  dull  whitish; 
the.S  exI.Tior  iValliers  pure  while  on  llie  middle  nfllicir  jiiiier  vanes. 
Bill  yellow  ,li.  tipt  with  blackish.  Feet  Hesh-color.  Iridsdark  brown. 


PINE  FINCH. 

(Fringllh  plnitu,  Wilsov,  ii.  p.  133.  jd.  57.  fijf.  1.  [winter  plum- 

agej.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  (i,")77.) 
Sp.  CiiAnACT.—  Dark  flaxen,  spotted   with  blackish;    winn-s  black, 

with  •-'  yellnwish-white  bars  ;  shafts  of  the  quills  yellow  ;    lateral 

tail-feathers  yellow  on  the  lower  half 

Our  acquaintance  with  this  little  northern  Cioldfinch 
is  very  unsatisfactory.  It  visits  the  Middle  States  in 
November,  freciuents  the  shady,  sheltered  borders  of 
creeks  and  rivulets,  and  is  particularly  fon<I  of  the  seeds 
of  the  hemlock  tree.  Among  the  woods,  where  these 
trees  abound,  thry  assemble  in  flocks,  and  contentedly 
pass  awny  tiie  winter.  Migrating  for  no  other  purpose  but 
subsistence,    their    visits   are   necessarily   desultory   and 


nnr 


619 


•lIlAMVOROIfl   niUDfl. 


uncortnin.  My  friptiil,  Mr.  (Jnkcs,  of  Ipswich,  hi«  scon 
them  in  liir^o  (locks  in  tiiiit  vicinity  in  wintur.  With 
us  t)u!y  nrtt  rare,  though  tiioir  iiivoritc  food  is  abnndiint. 
They  aro  by  no  means  shy,  and  purmit  a  near  approach 
witliout  taking  aliirin,  often  (liiitt^rinn  union;;  tiu?  brunches 
in  whicii  tii<-y  feed,  hiiii<rin^  soinrtiiiiL's  by  tiie  cones,  and 
occasionally  uttering;  notes  very  similar  to  those  of  the 
American  (Joldtiiich.  Karly  in  March  they  proceed  to 
the  North,  but  their  summer  dress  and  breeding  habits 
are  wholly  unknown. 

The  length  nt'this  Hpecies  in  said  to  be  4  inches;  and  the  alar  ex- 
tension 8.  Rump  and  tail-coverts  yellowish,  spotted  with  dark- 
brown;  sides,  under  the  wings,  creaiii-c<dnr,  with  long  streaks  of 
black  ;  lireiiHt  light  lliixen,  with  snmll  pointed  Hpots  of  blackish.  Bill 
dull  horn-ctdor.     Legs  purplish-brown.     Irids  hazel. 


LESSER  RED-POLL. 

{Fringilla  linaria,  Lin.  Wilsow,  iv.  p.  42.  pi.  .'JO.  fig.  4.  [young 
niiile.J  and  ix.  p.  12(i.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  ()r>7'.».) 

Sp.  Cmaract.—  .Vbove  greyish,  inclined  to  rufous, and  spotted  with 
dusky  ;  below,  and  rump,  pale  crimson,  approaching  to  white  on 
the  vent ;  crown  dff|>  crimson  ;  frontlet  and  chin  black ;  wings 
and  tail  dusky  ;  l)ill  very  sharply  and  slenderly  pointed.—  female 
without  red  on  the  rump,  the  throat  black  ;  the  breast  generally 
whitish ;  belly  with  large  dusky  spots.  —  In  the  young,  the  space 
round  the  bill  is  cinereous,  the  lower  parts  pale  rufous,  and  spot- 
ted, with  Iwn  rufous  bands  upon  the  wing. 

This  elegant  species,  which  only  pays  us  occasional 
and  transieii  winter  visits,  at  distant  intervals,  is  an  in- 
habitant of  tli<  whole  arctic  circle  to  the conliiios  of  Sibe- 
ria, and  is  found  in  Kamtscliatka  and  Greenland,  as  well 
as^the  colder  parts  of  Eurc^pe.  Arriving  in  roving  flocks 
from  the  northern  wilds  ot  Canada,  they  are  seen,  at  times, 
in  the  western  parts  of  the  state  of  New  York  with  the 
fall  of  the  first  deep  snow,  and  occasionally  proceed  east- 


Si 


LK.IUMKR  IIKIfPOLL. 


518 


Ipswich,  hiH  seen 

iti  winter.     With 

Ibixl  is  abiiii<l:iiit. 

t  II  iifiiir  approach 

woun  llif!  branches 

hy  the  cones,  utul 

lar  to  tiio!<f)  of  the 

h   they  proceed  to 

ul   breeding  habits 

he* ;    and  the  alar  ex> 

li,   Hpottrd  witli  (liirk- 
willi  long  slreiikH  of 
H|MitM  ot'bluckirili.    Bill 
hazel. 


pi.  30.  fig.  4.  [young 
i,No.  )ir.71».) 

if(iUH,an(l  spotted  witli 
pprounliiiig  to  wliitw  on 
lid  cliin  black ;  wiii^g 
prly  pointed.  —  Female 
;  the  breast  (jenenilly 
n  the  young,  the  space 
pule  rutbiis,  and  upot- 

lays  U.S  occasional 
interval-s,  is  an  in- 
hc  confines  of  Sibe- 
Greenland,  as  well 
ig  in  roving  flocks 
y  are  seen,  at  times, 
few  York  witii  the 
nally  proceed  east- 


ward ti)  the  very  city  of  New  York,  where,  in  the 
depth  of  winter,  and  for  several  weeks,  they  have  been 
seen  gh'aning  their  scanty  food,  of  various  kinds  of 
seeds,  in  the  gardens  of  the  town  and  suburbs.  Flocks 
are  likewise  sonietinios  oeen  in  the  vicinity  of  I'iiiladel- 
piiiii  ill  severe  winiers,  though  at  remote  periods,  us,  ac- 
cordiiii;  to  Mr.  Ord,  they  have  not  visited  that  part 
of  Penn.sylvania  since  the  winter  of  1813-14.  They 
appear  very  unsuspicious  while  feeding  in  the  gardens, 
or  on  tlic  seeds  of  the  aliler-busii,  one  of  their  favorite 
repasts,  and,  thus  engaged,  allow  a  near  approach  while 
searching  for  their  food  in  every  posture,  and  some- 
times iicad  downwards.  They  are  also  fond  of  the 
seeds  of  the  pine,  the  linden,  and  rape,  and  in  the 
winter  sometimes  content  themselves  even  with  the  buds 
of  the  alder.  According  to  Mr.  (Edman,  about  Michael- 
mas, they  migrate  from  Sweden  in  flocks  of  more  than 
300  individuals,  which  are  found  all  to  be  males.  Wil- 
son believed  he  heard  this  species  utter  a  few  interrupted 
notes,  but  nothing  satisfactory  is  known  of  its  vocal  pow- 
ers. Mr.  Ord  remarks  that  their  call  much  resembles 
that  of  the  Common  Yellow-Bird,  to  which,  indeed,  they 
are  allierl.  They  are  said  to  breed  in  the  Iligllands  of 
Scotland,  and  to  select  the  heatli  and  furise  '^r  the  situ- 
ation of  their  nests ;  til.  ;  ii  t\w\  more  commcnly  choose 
alder-biishcs  and  the  branches  of  the  pine.  The  nest, 
almost  like  that  of  the  Yellow-Bird,  is  composed  of  stalks 
of  dried  grass,  intermixed  with  tufts  of  wool  and  warmly 
lined  with  hair  ,ind  feathers.  The  eggs,  about  5,  arc  of 
a  bluish-while,  varied  with  numerous  reddish  spots 
disposed  at  ;lie  larger  end.  A  nest,  on  an  alder  stump, 
has  been  i'oiiiid  in  the  South  of  England,  according  to 
Latham,  (III  which  the  bird  sat  with  so  much  tenacity  as 
to  suffer  herself  to  be  tuken  off  by  the  hand,  and  when 
released  would  not  forsake  it. 


k 


.y> 


514 


GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


A  smaller  variety  of  this  bird  sometimes  is  seon  in  whole  compa- 
nies. The  usual  length  is  about  5^  inches.  Upon  the  flunks  and 
inferior  coverts  of  the  tail  are  some  longitudinal  blucltish  spots. 
Wings  and  tail  black,  the  quills  edged  with  greyish  rufous ;  the 
former  with  two  transverse  bands.  Bill  yellow ;  black  at  the  point. 
Feet  brown.     In  the  female  only  part  of  the  crown  is  carmine. 


Subgenus  — Fiunoilla. 
Bill  short  and  thick,  somewhat  narrower  than  the  head,  almost 
perfectly  conic. 

FERRUGINOUS  FINCH. 

(Pringillailiaca,  MEHtir.w.  Lath.    F.  rufa,  Wilson,  iii.  p.  53.  pi. 

22.  fig.  4.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  C0n8.) 
Sp.  Charact. —  Varied  with  reddish-brown  and  grey ;  beneath  white, 

largely  spotted   with  bright  bay  and  dusky;     tail   and   coverts 

bright  ferruginous. 

This  large  and  handsome  Sparrow,  after  pas.sing  the 
summer  and  breeding-season  in  the  northern  regions  of 
the  continent  around  Hudson's  Bay,  and  farther  north 
and  west  perhaps  to  the  shores  of  the  Pacific,  visits  us  in 
straggling  parties  or  pairs  from  the  middle  of  October  to 
November.  At  this  time  it  frequents  low,  sheltered 
thickets  in  moist  and  watery  situations,  where  they  usu- 
ally descend  to  the  ground,  and,  like  the  next  species,  are 
busily  employed  in  scratching  up  the  earth  and  rustling 
among  the  fallen  leaves  in  quest  of  seeds,  worms,  and 
insects,  but  more  particularly  the  last.  They  migrate 
in  a  desultory  manner,  and  sometimes  arrive  as  far  south 
as  Georgia,  passing  the  winter  in  the  Southern  States, 
and  retiring  early  in  the  spring  to  their  favorite  boreal 
retreats.  They  are  silent,  rather  tame,  and  unsus- 
picious ;  when  alarmed  or  separated,  their  call  is  simply 
shep,  shop ;  yet,  at  times,  in  the  spring,  a  little  before 
their  departure,  they  whisper  forth  a  few  low  and  sweet 
notes,  indicative  of  the  existence  of  vocal  powers  in  the 
pairing  season. 


ifivin  in  whole  cnmpa- 
Upon  the  flunks  and 
.dinal  bhickish  spots, 
greyish  rufous ;  the 
v ;  black  at  tlie  point, 
awn  is  carmine. 


lian  the  head,  almost 

ViLSTN,  iii.  p.  53.  pi. 

5092.) 

grey ;  beneath  white, 

y;     tail  and  coverts 

after  passing  the 
orthern  regions  of 
md  farther  north 
acific,  visits  us  in 
Idle  of  October  to 
ts  low,  sheltered 
,  where  they  usu- 
!  next  species,  are 
jarth  and  rustling 
eds,  worms,  and 
:.  They  migrate 
irrive  as  far  south 

Southern  States, 
sir  favorite  boreal 
ime,  and  unsus- 
leir  call  is  simply 
g,  a  little  before 
IV  low  and  sweet 
cal  powers  in  the 


GROUND  ROBIN. 


515 


The  Ferruginous  Sparrow  is  about  C  inches  long,  and  0*  in  alar 
d.mens.ons.     Head  and  neck  cinereous,  the  feathers  margined  wiS 

brown     ist  and  2d  rows  of  vving-coverts  tipt  with  white.     Legs  and 


--C^    v*y 


,^mrw^  '■ 


GROUND  ROBIN,  or  TOWWEE  FINCH. 

ifyinsiUaerytkropM^^^^^^^       E„^en^a  er,jthro„nthalma,  W,lsok 

".p.  35.  pi.  10.  fig.  5.    Phil.  Museum,  No.  5970.)  ' 

SP.CUARACT.-Black;    belly  white ;    flanks  and  vent  bay    tail 

rounde     4  outer  feathers  partly  white  ;  a  white  spot  on  the'w  ^g 

mtils      LrrbfrT  '"'"'"^'^''  white  margm  on  the  ;ri' 
mar.es,    bill  black. _ fema/e,  olive-brown  where  the  male  i. 


616 


CRANIVOROU8  BIRDS. 


black,  the  head  and  throat  inclining  to  chesnut;  (as  in  the  young 

male)  3  only  of  the  lateral  tail-feathers  are  marked  with  white. 

—  Youngish  vuile   with  the    outer  primary  partly   edged    with 

white,  and  with  the  narrow  white  spots  on  the  3  inner  tertials 

partly  obsolete,  or  tinged  with  brown. 

This  is  a  very  common,  humble,  and  unsuspicious 
bird,  dw«;IIing  commonly  in  thick  dark  woods  and  their 
borders,  flying  low,  and  frequenting  thickets  near  streams 
of  water,  where  it  spends  much  time  in  scratching  up  the 
withered  leaves  for  worms  and  their  larva-,  and  is  partic- 
ularly fond  of  wire-worms  (or  luli),  as  well  as  various 
kinds  of  seeds  and  gravel.  Its  ru,stling  scratch  among 
the  leafy  carpet  of  the  forest  is,  often,  the  only  indication 
of  its  presence,  excepting  now  and  tiieii  a  call  upon 
its  mate  {tow-wee,  tow-wee,  tow-weef,)  with  which  it  is  al- 
most constantly  associated.  While  thus  busily  engaged 
in  foraging  for  subsistence,  it  may  be  watched  and  ap- 
proached without  its  showing  any  alarm ;  and  taking 
a  look  often  at  the  observer,  without  suspicion,  it 
scratches  up  the  leaves  as  before.  This  call  of  recogni- 
tion is  uttered  in  a  low  and  somewhat  sad  tone,  and  if 
not  soon  answered,  it  becomes  louder  and  intet rogatory, 
tow-wee  towec  ?  and  terminates  often  with  towcet.  They 
are  accused  of  sometimes  visiting  the  pea-fields  to  feed, 
but  occasion  no  sensible  damage. 

In  the  pairing  season,  and  through  the  period  of  incu- 
bation, tlie  male  frequently  mounts  to  the  top  of  some 
bush  amidst  the  thickets,  where  he  usually  passes  the 
time,  and  from  hence,  in  a  clear  and  sonorous  voice, 
chants  forth  his  simple  guttural  and  monotonous  notes 
for  an  hour  or  so  at  a  time,  while  his  faithful  mate 
is  confined  to  her  nest.  This  quaint  and  somewhat 
pensive  song  often  sounds  like,  t'sli'd  with  te  te  te 
a  tH,  or  'IM-wi  tee,  tr  tr  'tr  'tr,  the  latter  part  a  sort  of 
quaint  and  deliberate  quivering  trill ;  sometimes  it  sounds 


nut;  (asin  the  young 
'  marked  with  white. 
f  partly  edged  with 
1  the  8  inner  tertials 

and  unsuspicious 
woods  and  their 
;kets  near  streams 
scratching  up  the 
■va;,  and  is  partic- 
3  well  as  various 
ig  scratch  among 
he  only  indication 
then  a  call  upon 
ith  which  it  is  al- 
ts busily  enifagcd 
watched  and  ap- 
irm  ;  and  taking 
out  suspicion,  it 
is  call  of  recogni- 
t  sad  tone,  and  if 
and  intet  rogatory, 
ith  ioiPctt.  They 
pea-fields  to  feed, 

he  period  of  incu- 
I  the  top  of  some 
usually  passes  the 
d  sonorous  voice, 
monotonous  notes 
his  faithful  mate 
nt  and  somewhat 
'd  wttee  le  te  te 
Met  part  a  sort  of 
metimes  it  sounds 


OROUNo  ROBIN,  OR  TOWWEE  FINCH.  517 

like  'hid  tsherr  'rh  'rh,  rrh  'wt,  then  'fwee  twee  t'  tsher' 
r  r,  also  et  se  ya,  ya  'ya  Uja  'ya  >ya,  the  latter  notes,  at- 
tempted  to  be  expressed  by  whistled  and  contracted  con- 
sonant syllables,  are   trilled  with  this  sound. 

The  Ground  Robin,   sometimes  also   called  Tshe-wink 
and  Pee-wink  from  another  of  its  notes,  is  a  general  in- 
habitant of  Canada  and  the  United   States,  even   to  the 
base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  the  peninsula  of  Flori- 
da, in  all  of  which  regions,  except  the  last,  with  Louisia- 
na and  the  contiguous  countries,   they  pass   the  summer 
and  rear  the.r  young,  migrating,  however,  from  the  North- 
ern and  Middle  States  in   October,  and    returning  aaain 
about  the  middle  or  close  of  April,  according   to  the  ad- 
vancement  of  the   season,  at  which  time,  also,  the  males 
usually  precede  the  arrival  of  their  mates.     They  pass 
the  wiat  ,  ,.,,-erally  to  the  south  of  Pennsylvania,  and  arc 
then      c  .,    v.undant   in   all    the  milder    states  of    the 
Union. 

They  are  said  to  show  some  address  at  times  in  conceal- 
ing the.r  nest,  which  is  fixed  on  the  ground,  in  a  dry  and 
elevated  situation,  and   sunk  beneath  the   surface   .  n--.. 
the  fallen  leaves,  sometimes  under  the  shelter  of  a  ..„all 
bush,  thicket,   or  briar.     According  to  the   convenience 
of  the  site,  it  is  formed  of  different  materials,  sometimes 
according  to  Wilson,  being  made  of  leaves,  ..trips  of  grape- 
vine bark,  lined  with  fine  stalks  of  dry  grass,  and  occa- 
sionally in  part  hidden  with  hay  or  herbage.     Most  of 
the  nests  in   this  vicinity  are  made  in  solitary  dry  pine 
woods,  without  any  other  protection  than  some  small  bush 
or  accidental  fallen  leaves  ;  and  the  external  materials' 
rather  substantial,  are  usually  slightly  agglutinated  strips' 
of  red-cedar  bark,  or  withered  grass  with  a  neat  lining  of 
the  same  and  fallen  pine  leaves;    the  lining  sometimes 
made  wholly  of  the  latler.     The  nest  is  also  at  times  ele- 
44 


i€ 


518 


ORANIVUROUS  BIRDS. 


vated  from  the  ground  by  a  layer  of  coarse  leaf-atalks, 
such  as  those  of  the  hickory.  The  eggs  are  4  or  5,  white 
with  a  tinge  of  flesh-color,  thickly  spotted  with  reddish- 
brown  of  two  shades,  ratlier  more  numerous  towards  the 
larger  end.  The  first  brood  are  raised  early  in  June, 
and  a  second  is  often  observed  in  the  month  of  July  ;  but 
in  this  part  of  New  England  they  seldom  raise  more  than 
one.  Tiie  pair  show  great  solicitude  for  the  safety  of 
their  young,  fluttering  in  the  path,  and  pretending  lame- 
ness, with  loud  chirping  when  their  nest  is  too  closely 
examined. 

The  Tow  wee  Finch  la  about  8  inched  in  length;  and  11  in  alar 
diinensinuH.  Vent  pale  bay  ;  a  few  spots  at  times  on  tlie  sides  of  the 
bay  of  the  breast.  The  wing  in  tlie  adult  and  perfect  male  has  the 
Ist  primary  wliolly  black.  The  next  3  witli  an  interrupted  wliite 
edging,  about  4  '"'  inch  in  e.xtent,  running  down  across  the  wing  ; 
the  wliile  spot  below,  and  just  over  the  bastard  wing,  stretches  over 
the  lower  part  of  the  0  primaries  after  the  1st ;  there  are  then  3  line- 
ar, irregular,  white  blotches  on  the  outer  webs  of  the  3  tertials  next 
to  the  body  ;  in  the  younger  males,  even  of  the  2d  season,  these  last 
spots  resemble  a  mere  rufous-white  edging,  and  the  upper  straggling 
wing-spot  e.\tend3  now  over  the  edges  of  the  5  primaries  after  the  lirst. 
The  1st  primary  is  short,  and  the  3d,  4th,  and  uth  are  nearly  of  equal 
length,  and  longest,  with  the  6th  but  little  shorter.  The  tail  is  long 
(about  'il^  inches),  and  the  3  first  feathers  on  either  side  are  regular- 
ly graduated.  The  legs  and  feet  are  pale  flesh-color,  and  remarka- 
bly stout,  with  the  claws  very  long.  —  Notk.  This,  and  some  other 
Mexican  species,  bearing  a  sort  of  family  resemblance,  have  been 
thrown  into  a  genus  apart  by  Vieillot,  under  the  name  of  Pipilo; 
but  we  liave  not  been  fortunate  enough  to  discover  in  this  bird  any 
thing  more  than  habit,  to  distinguish  it  from  other  species  of  'irue 
tVingilla. 

Subgenus.  — Coccothraustes. 

In  these  birds  the  bi:<l  is  very  stout,  and  at  base  as  wide  as  the 
forehead  ;  it  is  likewise  slightly  curved  at  the  point,  and  more  or  less 
turgid  at  the  sides. 


iii.ii.  im-'ij  -^'iMi 


coarse  leaf-stalks, 
3  are  4  or  5,  white 
itted  with  reddish- 
leroua  towards  the 
3d  early  in  June, 
lonth  of  July  ;  but 
ni  raise  more  than 
for  the  safety  of 
I  pretending  lame- 
uest  is  too  closely 

ngth ;  and  11  in  alor 
lea  on  tlie  sides  of  the 
i  perfect  male  has  the 

an  interrupted  white 
)\vn  across  the  wing  ; 
1  wing,  stretches  over 
there  are  then  3  line- 

of  tiie  3  tertials  next 
2d  season,  these  last 
I  the  upper  straggling 
rimaries  after  the  (irst. 
th  are  nearly  of  equal 
rter.  Tlie  tail  is  long 
itlier  side  are  regular- 
li-color,  and  remorka- 

This,  and  some  other 
lemblance,  have  been 
the  name  of  Pipilo  ; 
3over  in  this  bird  any 
other  species  of  'true 


TES. 

t  base  08  wide  as  the 
oint,  and  more  or  less 


CARDINAL  GROSBEAK,  or  RED-BIRD. 

{Fringilla  cardinalis,  Bonap.    Loxia  car^inalis,  L.  Wilson,  ii.  p.  38. 
pi.  11.  fig.  1.   [male.]   tmd  fig.  2.  [female.]       Phil.  Museum, 

No.  see*^ ) 


520 


ORAMVOROl-8  BIRDS. 


Sp.  Charact.  — Crested,  scarlet,  beneatli  brighter;  capistrum  and 
throat  black  ;  bill  coral  red.  —  Female  and  ijoimir,  drub  ;  beneath 
reddish  drab;  tip  of  the  crest,  wings,  and  tail,  red;  capistrum 
and  chin  cinereous. 

This  splendid  and  not  uncommon  songster  chiefly  oc- 
cupies the  warmer  and  more  temperate  parts  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  from   New  Yoric  to  Fhjrida,  and  a  few  strag- 
glers even  proceed  as  for  to  the  north  as  Salem   in  Mas- 
sachusetts.    They  also   inhabit  the  Mexican  provinces,* 
and  are  met  with  south  as  far  as  Carthagena  ;  adventur- 
ously crossing   the  intervening  ocean,  they  are  likewise 
numerous  in  the  little  temperate   Bermuda  islands,   but 
do  not  apparently  exist  in   any  of  the  West  Indies.     As 
might  be  supposed,  from   the   range   already  stated,  the 
Red  Bird  is  not  uncommon  throughout  Louisiana,  Mis- 
souri,   and  Arkansas   Territory,     Most  of  those  which 
pass  the  summer  in  the  cooler  and  Middle  States   retire 
to  the  South  at  the  commencement  of  winter  ;  though  a 
few  linger  in  the  sheltered  swamps  of  Pennsylvania  and 
near  the  shores  of  tho  Delaware  almost  through  the  win- 
ter.    They  also,    at  this  season,  probably  assemble   to- 
wards the  sea-coast  from  the  west,  in  most  of  the  South- 
ern States,  where  roving  and  skulking  timid  families  are 
now   seen  flitting   silently  through  thickets  and  swampy 
woods  alone,  eager   to  glean   a  scanty  subsistence,  and 
defend  themselves  from  prowling  enemies.     At  all  times, 
however,  they  appear   to  have  a   pedilection  for   watery 
groves,  and  shaded  running  streams,  abounding  with  ev- 
ergreens and  fragrant  magnolias,  in  which  they  are  so  fre- 
quent as  to   I.e  almost  concomitant  with  the  scene.     But 
though  they  usually  live  only  in  families  or  pairs,  and  at 
all  times  disperse  into  these  selective  groups,  yet  in  severe 
weather,  at  sunset,  in  South  Carolina,  I  observed  a  flock 
parsing  to   a  roost  in  a  neighbouring  swamp   and   bushy 


ighter ;  capiHtrum  and 

yuuiig,  drab  ;  beneath 

tail,  red )    capistrum 

ngster  chiefly  oc- 
parts  of  the  Uni- 
,   and  a  few  strag- 
as  Salem   in  Mas- 
ixican  provinces,* 
agena  ;  advcntur- 
they  are  likewise 
luda  islands,   but 
West  Indies.     As 
Iready  stated,  the 
t  Louisiana,  Mis- 
t   of  those  which 
Idle  States   retire 
winter ;  though  a 
Pennsylvania  and 
through  the  win- 
bly   assemble   to- 
ost  of  the  South- 
liniid  families  are 
tets  and  swampy 
subsistence,  and 
^s.     At  all  times, 
ction  for   watery 
ounding  with  ev- 
il they  are  so  fre- 
the  scone.     But 
or  pairs,  and  at 
ups,  yet  in  severe 
observed  a  flock 
amp   and   bushy 

jund  Vora  Cru». 


CAIIDINAL  0R08I1GAK,  OR  HKO-ntRD. 


521 


lagoon,  which  continued,  in   lengthened  file,  to  fly  over 
my  head  at  a  considerable  height  for  more  than  20  min- 
utes  together.     The   beautiful   procession,  illumined  by 
the  last    rays    of    the    setting    sun,    was    incomparably 
splendid  as  the  shifting  shadowy  light  at  quick  intervals 
flashed  upon  their  brilliant  livery.     They  had  been    oh- 
served    to    pass    in   this    manner   to   their  roost   for    a 
considerable   time,    and,    at   day-broak,    they  were   seen 
again  to  proceed   and  disperse  for  subsistence.      How 
long  this  timid  and  gregarious  habit  continues,  I  cannot 
pretend   to  say  ;    but  by  the  first  week  in  February,  the 
song  of  the  Red   Bird  was  almost   daily  heard.     As  the 
season  advances,  roving  pairs,   living,  as  it  were,   only 
with  and  for  each  other,  flit  from  place  to  place ;  and  fol- 
lowing also  their  favorite  insect  or  vegetable  fare,  many 
proceed  back  to  the  same  cool  region  in  which  they  were 
bred,    and    from    which    they   were    reluctantly   driven; 
while  others,  impelled    by  interest,  caprice,    and  adven- 
ture, seek  to  establish  new  families   in  the  most   remote 
hmits  of  their  migration.     Some  of  these   more  restless 
wanderers  occasionally,  though  rarely,  favor  this  part   of 
New  England  with  a  visit.     After  listening  with  so  much 
delight   to  the   lively  fife   of  the  splendid   Cardinal,  as  I 
travelled  alone  through  the  deep  and  wild  .solitudes  which 
prevail  over  the   Southern   States,  and  bid,  as  I  thought, 
perhaps  an  eternal  adieu  to  the  sweet  voice  of  my  charm- 
ing companions,  what  was  my  surprise  and  pleasure,  on  the 
7th  of  May,  to  hear,  for  the  first   time  in  this  State,  and 
in  the  Botanic  Garden,  above  an  hour  together,  the'live- 
ly  and  loud  song  of  this  exquisite  vocalist,  whose   voice 
rose  above  every  rival  of  the  feathered  race,  and  rung  al- 
most  in  echoes  through  the  blooming  grove  in  which  he 
had  chosen  his  retreat.     In  the  Southern   States,  where 
they  every  where  breed,  they  become  familiarly  attached 
44* 


>$■• 


S22 


QKANIVOROU8   niRDS. 


to  gardens,  which,  as  well  as  coru-ticlds,  afford  them  a 
ready  means  of  subsistence  ;  they  are  also  fond  of  the  seeds 
of  most  of  the  orchard  fruits,  and  are  said  occasionally  to 
prey  upon  bees. 

The  lay  of  the  Cardinal  is  a  loud,  mellow,  and  pleas- 
ingly varied  whistle,  delivered  with  ease  and  energy  for 
a  consideral)le  time  together.  To  give  it  full  effect,  he 
chooses  the  summit  of  some  lofty  branch,  and  elevating 
his  melodious  voice  in  powerful  as  well  as  soothing  and 
touching  tones,  he  listens,  delighted,  as  it  were,  with  the 
powers  of  his  own  -usic,  at  intervals  answered  an<l  en- 
couraged by  the  tender  responses  of  his  faithful  mate. 
It  is  thus  tiie  gilded  hours  of  his  existence  pass  away  in 
primeval  delight,  until  care  and  necessity  break  in  upon 
his  contemplative  reveries,  and  urge  him  again  to  pursue 
the  sober  walks  of  active  life. 

The  song  of  the  Red  Bird,  like  that  of  so  many  others, 
though  possessed  of  great  originality,  often  consists  in  part, 
of  favorite  borrowed  and  slightly  altered  phrases.  It 
would  be  a  difficult  and  fruitless  task  to  enumerate  all 
the  native  notes  delivered  by  this  interesting  songster  ; 
a  few  may  bo  perhaps  excused  by  those  who  wish,  in 
their  rural  walks,  to  be  made,  in  any  way,  acquainted 
with  the  language  of  the  feathered  vocalists  that  surround 
them.  All  the  tones  of  the  Cardinal  are  whistled  much  in 
the  manner  of  the  human  voice.  Late  in  February, 
while  travelling  in  Alabama,  I  heard  one  crying  wnolit, 
woiit  wolit  wulit,  then  in  a  quicker  tone  huts/t  bitish  biitsk 
huls/i,  and  hshooway  tshooway  tshooway.  At  another  time 
the  song  was  'lait  a  'wit,  'tiu;  then  tshevi  tsheve  'teii,'whoit 
'wlwit  'whoit  'tiu  (the  whoit  an  exact  human  whistle,  and 
the  tm  tenderly  emphatic.)  Another  bird  called,  tea  teo 
teo,(iliiioi,tsliooe  tshooetshooe,  then  teo  teo  teo  teo  alone,  or 
'u>6it  'w6it  'woit  'wait,  with  the  last  word  delivered  slower, 


aWMMMIx 


Is,  afTorr]  them  a 

fond  of  the  acedn 

d  occaHionally  to 

}llow,  and  pleas- 
!  and  enorjfy  for 
it  full  effect,  he 
h,  und  elevating 
as  soothing  and 
it  were,  with  the 
nswered  and  en- 
is  faithful  mate, 
ice  pass  away  in 
y  break  in  upon 
I  again  to  pursue 

'  so  many  others, 
1  consists  in  part, 
3d  phrases.  It 
}  enumerate  all 
ssting  songster  ; 
e  who  wish,  in 
vay,  acquainted 
its  that  surround 
I'histled  much  in 
le  in  February, 
ne  crying  woolit, 
btttsh  biitsh  biitsh 

At  another  time 
tsheve  'ted,  'whoit 
lan  whistle,  and 
rd  called,  teo  tea 

teo  teo  alone,  or 
ielivered  slower, 


CAHDINAL  «R0SBEAK,  OR  RED-BIRD.  523 

and  in  a  sinking,  delicately  plaintive  tone.    These  phras- 
es were   also  answered   in  sympathy  by  the  female,  at  a 
little  distance  up  the  meandering  brook  where  they  were 
engaged  in  collecting  their  food.     In  Florida,  about  the 
I2tii  of  March.  I  heard  a  very  fine  Red  Bird  singing  'whutoo 
wittoo  wldoo  'tciddoo.  He  began  low,  almost  in  a  whisper, 
but  very  clearly  articulated,  and  gradually  raised  his  voice 
to  loudness,  in  the  manner  of  the  Nightingale.     He  now 
changed   the  strain  into  'viclu,  wilt  wilt  xviU  wilt ;  then 
'victu,  tshooi  'tshooe  ts/iooe  ts/tooe,  afterwards  tu  tii  'victu, 
and  virfu  fu  tn,  then  varying  'tshooee,  &,c.   in  a  lower  key.' 
On  approaching  this  bird,  to  see  and  hear  him  more  dis- 
tinctly,  he  exhibited    his  anger,   by  scolding  in   a  hoarse 
tone  almost  like  that  of  a  squirrel,  and    from  the  season, 
and  absence  of  respondence  in   the  female,  I  imagine  he 
already   had  a  nest   in   the  neighbouring  thicket.     The 
bird   which  frequented  the  Botanic  Garden  for  several 
days,   in  the  morning  sang  fearlessly  and  loudly,  but  at 
other  times  the  pair  hid  themselves  amongst  the  thickest 
bushes,  or  descended    to  the  ground  to  feed  among  the 
grass   and   collect  insects   and   worms  ;    now   and  Uicn, 
however,  in  an  under-tone,  as  if  afraid  of  attracting  no^ 
tice,  he  whispered  to  his  mate,  tcii  tea  ten,  wait  'wait  'wait, 
elevating  his   tone   of  recognition  a  little  at  the  close  of 
the  call,  and  going  over  other  of  the  usual  phrases  in  the 
same  whispering  and  slenderly  rising  voice.     About  the 
4th  of  July,  the  same  pair,  apparently,  paid  us  a  parting 
visit,  and  the  male  sung  with  great  energy,  'tv'  tw%  'wetH 
'weto  'wcto  'weld  'weto  imiit,  then  wnitup  louitup  waitup  wai- 
tup,  tshow  tshow  tshow  tshmo  tshow.      On  whistling  any  of 
these  notes  within  hearing  of  the  Cardinal,  a  response  is 
almost  certain,   as   this  affectionate  recognition  is   fre- 
quently answered  by  the  female.     His  phrase  may  also 
be   altered  at  will,  by   whistling  some  other  than  that 


■i^^T'ff^^mmi  *ijiJA!  i^ww  WiH 


fiiM 


UKAMVUKUIIH   UIKOM. 


which  he  repeats,  as  ho  often  imincdiiilcly  anNWcra  in  the 
call  he  henrs,  auppoiiing  it  to  be  that  of  iiis  approaching 
mate. 

On  their  arrival  in  the  Middle  States,  in  cprinjf,  vio- 
lent contests  sometimes  ensue  between  the  unniated  and 
jealous  males.  When  the  dispute  is  for  the  present  closed, 
the  pair,  prob(ii)!y  for  greater  security,  and  dreadinj^  a  re- 
curring quarrel  of  doul»tful  issue,  wander  oil' to  a  rctnoto 
distance  from  their  usual  abode,  and  ii<  this  way,  no 
doubt,  occasionally  visit  countries  but  little  fre(|iiented 
by  the  rest  of  their  species.  Early  in  May,  it  seems, 
in  Pennsylvania,  according  to  Wilson,  they  begin  to  pre- 
pare their  nests,  which  are  often  placed  in  an  ever- 
green bush,  cedar,  laurel,  or  holly.  The  external  mate- 
rials are  small  twigs,  dry  weeds,  and  slips  of  vine-bark, 
the  lininsj  being  formed  of  fine  stalks  of  dry  grass.  The 
eggs,  4  or  5,  are  of  a  dull  white,  thickly  spotted  all  over 
with  brownish  olive.  They  usually  raise  two  broods  in 
the  season.  As  they  are  so  easily  domesticated  immedi- 
ately after  being  caught  in  trap  cages,  it  is  unnecessary 
to  raise  them  from  the  nest.  By  this  kind  of  unnat- 
ural confinement,  the  brilliant  color  of  the  male  is  found 
sometimes  to  fade  until  it  becomes  of  a  pale  whitish 
red.  They  live,  however,  long  in  confinement,  and  an 
instance  is  known  of  one  which  had  survived  for  21 
years.  In  the  cage,  they  have  not  that  variety  of  song 
which  they  exhibit  in  their  native  wilds  ;  and  this,  judg- 
ing from  the  frequent  repetition  of  the  same  phrase, 
would  appear  to  be  a  monotonous  performance,  if  the  va- 
riety of  expression,  tone,  and  key  did  not  perpetually  re- 
lieve and  enhance  the  character  of  the  lay.  His  song 
also  continues  for  0  or  8  months  in  the  year,  and  is  even, 
as  among  the  Thrushes,  more  lively  in  wet  weather  ;  the 
sadness  of  nature,  softening  and  soothing  the  tender  vo- 


nly  anHWcrn  in  the 
r  hJH  appronching 

s,  in  opring,  vio- 
thd  un mated  and 
lio  presunt  closed, 
md  dreiuling  a  re- 
\v.r  oil'  to  a  redioto 
in  this  way,  no 
litth  frequented 
in  Miiy,  it  seems, 
they  begin  to  pre- 
iceii  in  an  ever* 
he  external  mate- 
lips  of  vine-bark, 
f  dry  grass.  The 
ly  spotted  all  over 
se  two  broods  in 
esticated  immedi- 
it  is  unnecessary 
B  kind  of  unnat- 
the  male  is  found 
f  a  pale  whitish 
hnement,  and  an 
survived  for  21 
It  variety  of  song 
i ;  and  this,  judg- 
he  same  phrase, 
mance,  if  the  va- 
lot  perpetually  re- 
le  lay.  His  song 
,ear,  and  is  even, 
iret  weather  ;  the 
ng  the  tender  vo- 


CARDINAL  UROanKAK,  OR  REP-niRD.        625 

caliBt   into  a  lively,    pathetic,   and   harmonious  reverie. 
So   highly  were    these  birds  esteemed    for  their    melody, 
that  according  to  Gemelli  Coreri,   the  Spaniards  of  Ha- 
vana, in  a  time  of  public  distress   and    scarcity,    bought 
■o  many  of  these  birds,    with  winch  a    vessel  was  partly 
freighted,   from  Florida,  that  the  sum   expended,  at   10 
dollars  ^pi..c•e,  amounted  to  no  less   than  1H,(M)0  dollars! 
Indeed    i.atham    admits    that  the    notes    of  our    Cardi- 
nal "  are  almost   equal  to  those  of  the  Nightingale,"  the 
sweetest  feathered  minstrel  of  Europt    The  stylo  of  their 
performance    is,    however,    wholly   different.      The    bold 
martial  strains  of  the  Red  Bird,    though  relieved  by  ten- 
der and    exquisite   touches,  possess   not   the  enchanting 
pathos,    the  elevated   and    varied   expression  of  the  far- 
famed  Philomel,    nor    vet  those   contrasted  tones,  which, 
in  the  solemn  stilness  of  tlu;  growing  night,  fall    at  times 
into  a   soothing    whisper,    or    slowly  rise    and   quicken 
into  a  loud  ond  cheering  warble.    A  strain  of  almost  sen- 
timental tenderness    and  sadness   pervades    by  turns   the 
song  of  the  Nightingale  ;  it  flows  like  a  torrent,  or  dies 
away  like  an  echo  ;   his  varied  ecstasies  seem   poured    to 
the  pale  moon-beams,  and  like  the  despot   ling  lover,  seek- 
ing to   hide  his  grief  in  solitude,  his  sap,. hie  lays,  wast- 
ed,  as  it' were,  in   the  desert  air,  now  meet  with  no  re- 
sponse   but  tho   sighing    zephyr  or   the   ever-murmuring 
brook.     The  notes  of  our  Cardir.al  are  as  full  of  hilarity 
as  of  tender  cxpre.ssion  ;    his  whistling  call  is  uttered  in 
the  broad  glare  of  day,  and  is   heard   predominant   over 
most  of  the  feathered  choir  by  whicn  he  is   surrounded. 
His  responding   mate  is  the  perpetual   companion     f  all 
his  joys  and  cares  ;  simple  and  content  in  his  attachment, 
he   is  a  stranger  to  capricious  romance  of  feeling  ;    and 
the  shades  of  melancholy,  however  feeble  and  transient, 
find  no  harbour  in  his  preoccupied  affections. 


■  V-)  ' 


AM 


nUANIVOROt'N  DllinS. 


Th*  Ixngth  of  tlia  Cardinal  Bir<l  ii  about  H  Incliri,  and  tl  in  alar 
dirueniiiunii.  Tlin  wliole  ujiper  pnrtti  are  of  a  dull  dunky-red,  except 
the  lideit  ol'  the  iierk,  head,  uud  whole  lower  piirtM,  which  ure  of  a 
clear  veririilioti.  The  chin,  frutit,  and  loreH  black  ;  the  head  orna- 
mentrd  with  a  hiKh-pointed  cre«t.  Tail  nearly  even  and  lon(f.  Hill 
■Imoat  coral  red.  Thn  legi  tnd  feat  pale  tleoh-color,  incliniug  to 
brownish.     Iridn  dark  haial. 


EVENING  (JROSBKAK. 

(Fringitla  vetptrtina,  Cooper,     Borap.    Am.  Om.  ii.  p.  75,  pi.  19> 

fig.  1.) 

Sp.  Ciiaract.  —  Front  and  line  over  the  eye  yellow  ;  crown,  wings, 
and  tail  black  ;  Hecoaduries  and  inner  greitt  wing-covertii  white  ; 
bill  pale  yellow. 

This  recently  discovered  and  b<autiful  Rpecics,  like 
the  following,  appears  to  inhabit  the  solitudes  of  the 
Northwestern  interior,  being  met  with  from  the  extrem- 
ity of  the  Michigan  Territory  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
It  is  not  uncommon  towards  the  upper  extremity  of  Lake 
Superior  and  the  borders  of  Athabasca  Lake  ;  to  the  cast 
of  these  limits  they  only  appear  to  be  transient  visitors  in 
spring  and  fall.  Their  habits  at  the  breeding-season  are 
unknown  ;  but  during  the  stay  they  make  in  the  spring, 
in  their  migrating  route,  they  appear  to  pa.ss  most  of 
the  day  in  the  deep  and  lonely  swamps,  thickly  over- 
grown with  a  gloomy  and  almost  impervious  forest  of  resi- 
nous evergreens.  From  these  they  sally  forth  in  smiill  fam- 
ilies to  feed  towards  the  approach  of  night ;  and  at  this 
season,  in  the  dusk  of  twilight,  their  strange  and  mourn- 
ful notes  are  heard  from  the  forest,  while  the  sad  and 
serenading  minstrel  hiin.self  remains  concealed  ;  though 
at  other  times  they  are  so  fearless  or  incautious  as  to 
suffer  themselves  to  be  seized  almost  by  the  hand. 

The  Evening  Grosbeak  is  84  inches  long.  The  sides  of  the  head, 
neck,  both  above  and  beneath,  with  the  interscapulars  and  breaat, 


incliri,  and  II  in  alar 
lull  dunky-rfil,  except 
[mrtM,  which  nr«  of  a 
ilnck  ;  the  IumkI  oriia- 
(•vrn  and  Uinif.  Rill 
■h-colur,  inclining  to 


K. 

Orn.  ii.  p.  79.  pi.  1$. 

bIIow  ;  crown,  wingH, 
wing-coverts  white  ; 


tiful  species,  like 
3  solitutlcs  of  tiio 
from  the  extreiu- 
locky  Mountains, 
extremity  of  Lake 
Lake  ;  to  the  east 
ansient  visitors  in 
eeding-seasoii  are 
ikc  in  the  spring, 

to  pass  most  of 
nps,  thickly  over- 
r'ious  forest  of  resi- 
forth  in  small  fam- 
niglit ;  and  at  this 
range  and  mourn- 
ivhile  the  sad  and 
onccaled  ;  though 

incautious  as  to 
I  the  hand. 

riie  sides  of  the  head, 
scapulars  and  breast, 


nORE-BREAITEO  UROSUEAK. 


627 


are  of  o  dark  idive-brown,  blending  and  benonun«  paler  ai  they  ap. 
proach  th»  otiier  tinU.  Th-  back,  rum,,.  Hide*,  and  below,  Uith  th« 
under  wingond  Uil-coverU  >^ellow.  Lega  and  feet  rteah-color. — 
Thti  »exea  nearly  alike. 


ROSE-BREASTEI)  GROSBEAK. 

(Fringilla  ludovUiana,  BonAf.  Uiia  roiea,  (ludoviciunn),  Witioir, 
ii.  p.  i;W.  pi.  17.  Jig.  2.  [male.j  and  Bonap.  Ain.  Orn.  ij.  p.  14. 
lig.  2.  [female.]     Piiil.  Muiieum,  No.  5H0<i,  8807.) 

Sp.  Chabac  t.  —  Black ;  breast  and  inferior  wing-coverlii  ro.aceoua  ; 
belly,  band  on  the  wing,  baie  of  the  primariee,  ui,,,  3  outer  tail' 
feathem  partly  white  ;  bill  whitinh.  —  Female  und  young,  varied 
with  pale  lliixeu,  dark-olive,  und  wbi'i'i. ;  no  roae-color,  and  leia 
white  on  the  wings. 

TnE  history  of  this  splen  id  songstc  •  is  very  obscure 
the  species  being  rare  and  ac.  .lenipl  n  the  Atlantic 
States.  The  reinulo  Northvv  icn  Tu/ritorics  of  the 
Union,  Canada,  and  the  cool  re^  as  towards  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  appear  to  be  the  general  residence  of  tbe 
Rose-breasted  Grosbeak.  Mr.  Say  met  with  it  in  the 
spring,  on  the  banks  of  tiie  lower  part  of  tlie  Missouri 
and  at  Pembino  on  the  6th  of  August  in  the  4yth  degree 
of  latitude.  The  enterprising  Dr.  Richardson,  who  ac- 
companied Captain  Franklin  into  the  dreary  northern  re- 
gions of  Canada,  also  observed  it  in  the  latitude  of  53°. 
It  has  likewise  been  seen  in  Mexico.  These  are,  no 
doubt,  its  proper  natal  regions,  and  the  course  of  its  mi- 
grations,  from  which  it  only  ventures  accidentally  in  se- 
vere winters,  and  is  then  transiently  seen  in  pairs  east  of 
the  Atlantic  mountains,  which  constitute  the  general 
boundary  of  its  range.  They  are  thus  seen  occasionally  in 
the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  par- 
ticularly along  the  borders  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  in  Con- 
necticut, but  rarely  if  ever  in  this  part  of  New  England. 
Pennant  speaks  of  its  arrival  in  the  state  of  New  York  in 


628 


GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


May,  where  it  has  a  nest  of  5  eggs,  and  then  retires  in 
August.     It  is  also  unknown  in  the  Southern  States.   Ac- 
cording to   Bonaparte,  its  nest  is  concealed   amidst  the 
thick   foliage  of  the   shad}  forests,  where  it   delights   to 
dwell  in  solitude.   Externally  it  is  composed  of  twigs,  and 
lined  with  slender  grass ;  and  the  eggs  are  4  or  5,  white, 
spotted  with  brown.     My   friend,  Mr,  Cooper,  remarks, 
that  though  this  species  is  rare   in  the   vicinity  of  New 
York,  a  few  probably  breed  in  the  woods  of  the  Hudson, 
as  at  Tappan,  30  miles  up  that  river,  they  are  frequently 
seen   in  tha  cherry   trees   in  the   month  of  June  ;    and 
they   are  said  to   be  numerous   in   the   forests  along  the 
south  shore  of  Lake  Erie,    and  usually  breed  there.     It 
thrives   very  well  in   a  cage,  is  a  most  melodious  and  in- 
defatigable warbler,  frequently,  in  fine  weather,  as  in  its 
state  of  freedom,  passing  a  great  pan  of  the  night  in  sing- 
ing, with  all  the  varied  and    touching  tones  of  the  Night- 
ingale; while  thus   earnestly  engaged,  it  seems  to  mount 
on  tiptoe   in  an  ecstasy  of  enthusiasm  and  delight,  at  the 
unrivalled  harmony  of  its  own  voice.  I'he  notes  are  wholly 
warbled,  now  loud,  clear,  and  vaulting,  with  a  querulous 
air,  then  perhaps  sprightly,  and  finally  lower,  tender,  and 
pathetic.     In  short,  I  am  not  acquainted  with  any  of  our 
birds   superior  in  song,  to  the  present,  with  the  solitary 
exception  of  our  Orphean  Mocking-Bird. 

The  Louisiana  Grosbeak  is  fed  upon  the  usual  kinds  of 
bird-seed,  and  in  their  wild  state  seem  to  be  peculiarly 
fond  of  the  kernels  of  the  sour-gum  berries ;  they  proba- 
bly also  feed  upon  the  berries  of  the  juniper,  which 
abound  in  tha  regions  they  usually  inhabit. 

This  Bpecies  is  8i  inches  long,  and  13  in  extent.  Above  black, 
except  the  2d  row  of  wing-coverts,  which  are  broadly  tipt  with 
white  ;  a  spot  of  the  saiue  exists  on  the  primarieB.  Tlie  chin,  neck, 
and  upper  parts  of  the  breast  are  also  black.     Lower  part  of  the 


)S. 

and  then  retires  in 
5outhern  States.   Ac- 
Dncealed    amidst  the 
tvliere  it   delights   to 
nposcd  of  twigs,  and 
^s  are  4  or  5,  white, 
r.  Cooper,  remarks, 
he  vicinity  of  New 
oods  of  the  Hudson, 
,  they  are  frequently 
onth  of  June  ;    and 
le   forests  along  the 
illy  breed  there.     It 
it  melodious  and  in- 
le  weather,  as  in  its 
jf  the  night  in  sing- 
tones  of  the  Night- 
I,  it  seems  to  mount 
and  delight,  at  the 
i'he  notes  are  wholly 
r,  with  a   querulous 
lower,  tender,  and 
ted  with  any  of  our 
t,  with  the  solitary 
ird. 

1  the  usual  kinds  of 
:m  to  be  peculiarly 
erries ;  they  proba- 
he  juniper,  which 
I  a  bit. 

extent.     Above  black, 

are  broadly  tipt  with 

fies.    The  chin,  neck, 

.     Lower  part  of  the 


PURPLE   PINCH,  OR  AMERICAN  LINNET. 


529 


breast,  middle  of  the  belly  and  lining  of  the  wings,  a  light  carmine 
tmt.  The  tail  forked,  black,  the  3  exterior  feathers  on  each  side, 
white  on  their  inner  vanes  for  an  inch  or  more  from  the  tips  Hill 
white,  (in  the  female  rather  dusky).  Legs  and  feet  groyish-blue. 
Irides  hazel. 


BLUE  GROSBEAK. 

(FringiUa  ccmiha,  Bonap.  Uxia  ca-rulea,  Wir.sox,  iii.  p.  78,  pi, 
24.  fig.  6.  [niiile.]     Phil.  Museum,  No.  5926.) 

Sp.  Ciiahact.  —  Deep  blue  ;  lores  and  frontlet  black,  tail  and  wings 
dusky ,  the  latter  skirted  with  pale  bay ;  bill  dusky-blue.  —  Female 
and  r,ou,ig  dark  drab,  tinged  with  blue. -The  males  probably 
undergo  a  double  moult .' 

This  shy,  and  almost  solitary  species,  chiefly  inhn^  its 
the  warmer  parts  of  America  from  Brazil  to  Virginia ; 
stragglers  occasionally  al.so  visit  the  lower  parts  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  New  Jersey,  and  Bullock  observed  them  on 
the  table  land  of  Mexico.  According  to  Wilson,  it  is 
nearly  a  silent  bird,  seldom  singing  in  the  cage,  its 'usual 
note  of  alarm  being  merely  a  loud  chuck ;  though,  at 
times,  their  musical  capacity,  under  more  favorable 'cir- 
cumstances,  would  appear,  by  their  uttering  a  few  low 
and  sweet  toned  notes.  They  may  be  fed  on  Indian  corn, 
hemp  seed,  millet,  and  the  kernels  of  several  kinds  of 
berries. 

This  little  known  species  is  C  inches  long,  and  10  in  extent ;  of  a 
rich  purphsh-blue,  more  dull  and  spotted  with  dusky  on  the  back  • 
coverts  of  the  wings  ed;-.  d  with  bay  ;  quills  skirted  with  blue.  Tail 
torked,  edged  witli  bluish,  and  sometimes  slightly  tipt  with  white 
Legs  and  feet  lead-color.  Bill  dusky-blue,  inclining  to  horn-color" 
Eyes  large,  full,  and  black. 

PURPLE  FINCH,  oa  AMERICAN  LINNET. 

(.FfingUla  purpurea,  GiiEV.  WiJ.sos,i.  p.  119.  pn.  Rg.  4  [male  i 
and  V.  p.  87.  pi.  42.  fig.  3  [male  in  winter  plumage.]  Aud.  pi.  4. 
Orn.  1.  p.  24.  Loxia  rosea,  Vieill.  Phil.  Museum,  No.  0504.) 

45 


630 


ORAMVOROUS  BIRDS. 


Sp.  CHAnACT.  —  Crimson,  deepest  on  tlie  head  and  throat;  wings 
and  emarginate  tail,  dusky,  the  back  spotted  with  the  same  ;  belly 
partly  white.  —  Female  and  young  varied  with  pale  brown  and 
dusky,  without  crimson ;  beneatli  yellowish-white,  spotted  with 
dusky  brown. 

This  brilliant  and  cheerful  songster  inhabits  the  North- 
ern and  Western  States  during  the  summer,  where  it 
pairs  and  rears  its  young.  They  have  been  observed  also 
in  Missouri  territory  by  Mr.  Say,  and  probably  extend  their 
residence  far  to  the  North.  They  appear  to  have  a  great 
predilection  for  resinous  evergreens,  pine  and  spruce, 
and  feed  upon  the  berries  of  the  juniper  and  red  cedar,* 
as  well  as  the  seeds  of  the  tulip-tree, +  and  others  ;  they 
likewise  frequent  gardens  for  the  same  purpose,  and  are 
particularly  pleased  with  sun-flower  seeds  and  other  oily 
kinds.  When  reduced  to  necessity,  they  are  observed  to 
eat  the  buds  of  the  beech,  and  those  of  the  fruit  trees, 
probably  for  the  sake  of  the  stamens  contained  in  them, 
of  which  they  are  greedy  when  displayed  in  the  opening 
blossoms.  The  stipules  of  the  expanding  buds  of  the  elm, 
which  are  sweet  and  mucilaginous,  in  the  spring,  also 
make  a  common  part  of  their  fare.  Their  food,  in  sum- 
mer, however,  consists  principally  of  insects,  and  juicy 
berries,  as  those  of  the  honeysuckle  and  others. 

Although  the  Purple  Finch  breeds  and  passes  the  sea- 
son in  this  vicinity,  yet  as  early  as  the  close  of  Septem- 
ber they  leave  us  for  the  South  ;  about  which  time,  and 
nearly  to  the  close  of  October,  small,  hungry,  roving 
flocks  arrive  from  the  more  Northern  States,  and  Can- 
ada, or  Newfoundland.  At  the  same  time  likewise  great 
numbers  visit  Pennsylvania,  the  maritime  parts  of  New 
York  and  New  Jer.sey,  and  many  pass  the  winter  in  the 
Middle  States ;  while  others  proceed  as  far  south  as  the 
states  of  Louisiana    and  Florida,  returning   north  in  the 


Junipcrus  viririniaiia. 


I  LyriodendroH  tulipij'era. 


-■'iMam.^ii:iamimuimm. 


!ad  and  throat ;    wings 

ed  with  the  same  ;  belly 

with  pale  brown  and 

ish-white,  spotted  with 

inhabits  the  North- 
summer,  where  it 
1  been  observed  also 
obably  extend  their 
lear  to  have  a  great 
pine  and  spruce, 
per  and  red  cedar,* 
f  and  others  ;  they 
le  purpose,  and  are 
3eds  and  other  oily 
hey  are  observed  to 
!  of  the  fruit  trees, 
contained  in  tiiem, 
lyed  in  the  opening 
iiig  buds  of  the  elm, 
in  the  spring,  also 
Their  food,  in  sum- 
r  insects,  and  juicy 
nd  others, 
and  passes  the  sca- 
le close  of  Septem- 
ut  which  time,  and 
all,  hungry,  roving 
1  States,  and  Can- 
time  likewise  great 
itime  parts  of  New 
ss  the  winter  in  the 
as  far  south  as  the 
urning   north  in  the 


LyriadendroH  tulipifem. 


PURPLE  PINCH,  OR  AMERICAN  LINNET. 


531 


latter  end  of  March,  or  early  in  April,  and  arriving  with 
us   in   the  month   of  May,   to  pass  the   most  important 
period  of  their   existence.     Roving  flocks   are  also  seen 
here  as  early  as  the   24th  of  March,   singing  wiiile  they 
stay,  with  great  energy  and   cheerfulness;    these,   in  all 
probability,    proceed    to   Labrador  or  Newfoundland    to 
breed.     The  males  now  have  many    bitter  contents   for 
the  choice  of  their   mates,  and  are  very  bold  and  pugna- 
cious in  confinement,  attempting  to  destroy  every  oilier 
bird    introduced    into   the    same  cage.     They   also  bite 
severely  when  taken  up  wounded,  but  are  directly  recon- 
ciled to  the  cage,  finding  their   most   important  wants  so 
amply  supplied ;  yet,   in   this  state,  they  often  refuse  to 
sing,  and  after  moulting  into  the  humble  plumage  of  the 
female,  frequently  remain  so,  without  ever  renewing  their 
crimson  dress.     They  p.e  here  exposed  in  cages  f^r  sale 
at  high  prices  (by  the  name  of  Linnets),  and  sing  pretty 
commonly  in  confinement.     Their  notes  are  very  similar 
to  those  of  the   Warbling   Vireo,   but  louder,   and  more 
agreeably   diversified.     From  the  tops  of  our  lofty  and 
spreading  elms,  or  shadowy  spruce-trees,  where  they  de- 
light  to  pass   the  time,  their  varied   and   very   cheerful 
melody  is  often   continued   almost   without  interval,  and 
poured  forth  like  a  torrent.     After  a  combat  with  a  rival, 
his  towering  notes  of  victory  burst  out  into   rapture,  and 
he  now  seems  to  triumph  with  loud  and  petulant  hilarity. 
The  song  of  this  beautiful    Finch  is,  indeed,  much  finer 
than  that  of  the  Canary ;  the  notes  are  remarkably  clear 
and  mellow,  and  the  trilling,  sweet,  and  various,  particu- 
larly  on    their    first   arrival.      At   times    the   warble   is 
scarcely  audible,  and  appears  at  a  distance  ;  it  then,  by  a 
fine  crescendo,  bursts  into  loudness,  and  falls  into  an  ec- 
stasy of  ardent  and  overpowering  expression  ;  at  such  times 
the  usual  pauses  of  the  song  are  forgotten,   and,  like  the 


"  ■J': 


632 


GRANIVOROUS  BIRDS. 


varied  lay  of  the  Nightingale,  the  ravishing  performer, 
as  if  in  serious  eniulatioii,  seems  to  stiuly  every  art  to 
produce  the  effect  of  brilliant  and  well  contrasted  har- 
mony. As  he  sits  on  the  topmost  bough  of  some  tall  sap- 
ling or  more  lofty  tree,  surveying  the  wide  landscape, 
his  proud  voice  and  elevated  action  seoni  to  l)id  defiance 
to  competition,  and  while  thus  earnestly  engaged,  he 
seems  to  fear  no  spectator,  however  near  may  be  his  ap- 
proaches. The  rapidity  of  his  performance,  and  the  pre- 
eminent execution  with  which  it  is  delivered,  seem  almost 
like  the  effort  of  a  musical  box,  or  fine-toned,  quickly 
moving,  delicate  strain  on  the  organ.  While  feeding, 
in  the  month  of  March,  they  also  utter  a  querulous 
tshippee  tshec,  in  nearly  the  saino  sad  and  liquid  tone  as 
that  uttered  by  the  Yellow-birds  while  thus  engaged. 
The  dull  colored  birds,  in  the  tittire  of  the  female, 
do  not  sing  either  so  well,  or  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
crimson-colored  individuals,  though,  as  in  the  Pine  Gros- 
beak, it  is  probable,  tJiat  the  brilliant  color  is  merely  con- 
fined to  youngish  birds  ;  and  hence  those  in  cages,  which 
lose  that  fine  tint,  are  only  the  more  adult  individuals,  in 
which  this  deterioration  of  color  is  natural. 

Although  several  pair  of  these  birds  usually  pass  the 
summer  in  this  vicinity,  in  spite  of  the  utmost  diligence 
continued  for  three  years,  I  have  never  yet  been  able 
to  discover  their  nests,  although  I  have  seen  the  female 
collecting  wool  from  a  fence  for  the  purpose,  so  that  I 
imagine  it  will  be  found  to  be  very  like  that  of  the 
Yellow-bird,  matted  and  lined  with  soft  substances. 
General  Dearborn,  however,  informed  nie,  that  he  had 
seen  the  nest  of  this  species  (in  July,  1830)  containing 
young,  fixed  on  the  low,  horizontal  branch  of  a  balsam- 
fir,  cortiguous  to  a  house,  and  even  near  a  path.  The 
outsido    ppeared  to  bo  lined  with  lichens,  and  the  whole 


"*iM'l«"'"» " »'i«»i^»Mi|-«iM-MHli1*linTrit1ir.rfip)1|;Hlnln.lnrrMlllimn 


*  )M 


s. 


BULLFINCHES. 


533 


visliing  performer, 
study  every  art  to 
t^ll  contrasted  har- 
s^h  of  some  tail  sap- 
e  wide  landscape, 
■cm  to  bid  defiance 
estly  engaged,  he 
Bar  may  be  liis  ap- 
lance,  and  the  pre- 
vered,  seem  almost 
ine-toned,  <(iiickly 
1.  While  feeding, 
utter  a  querulous 
and  liquid  tone  as 
lilc  thus  engaged, 
re  of  the  female, 
me  manner  as  the 
i  in  the  Pine  Gros- 
;olor  is  merely  con- 
se  in  cages,  which 
Jult  individuals,  in 
ural. 
s  usually   pass  the 

0  utmost  diligence 
ver  yet  been  able 
ve  seen  the  female 

purpose,  so  that  I 
like  that  of  the 
soft    substances. 

1  me,  that  he  had 
1830)   containing 

inch  of  a  balsam- 
lear  a  path.  The 
;ns,  and  the  whole 


was  neatly  and  compactly  formed.  Tiiey  seem  indeed 
much  attached  to  evergreens,  frequenting  their  sha-le 
during  the  heat  of  the  day.  They  sing  at  various  times, 
but  most  vigorously  in  the  morning  and  evening.  From 
another  person  who  has  also  seen  the  nest  of  this  species, 
I  learn,  that  it  is  commonly  in  an  evergreen,  contains 
very  ihw  eggs  or  young,  and  that  they  raise  but  a  single 
brood  in  the  season,  which  are  not  hatched  before  mid- 
summer. 

The  Crimson  Finch  is  from  C  to  Oj  inches  in  length,  and  9  or 
more  in  alar  e.xtent.  Crimson,  much  d('eper  on  the  head  and  chin  ; 
tlie  hreast  and  rump  paler,  inclining  to  rosaceous.  The  back  appears 
much  spotted  with  dusky.  The  wings  and  tail  are  also  dusky,  edged 
with  reddish  ;  vent  and  centre  of  the  l)elly  white  ;  the  sides  under 
the  wings  clouded  with  dull  brownish.  Legs  brownish  flesh-color. 
Bill  dull,  dark  hoin-color.  Irides  hazel.  In  young  males,  the  crim- 
son feathers  of  the  head  and  neck,  are  sometimes  edged  with  rose- 
color,  so  that  the  brilliant  tint  is  only  seen  by  reflected  lighl ;  as 
the  margins,  however,  wear  off",  the  vesture,  in  early  spring,  attains 
its  proper  color.  Audubon  observes,  that  among  the  flocks  which 
winter  in  the  South,  there  are  as  many  red  individuals  as  in  sum- 
mer;  here  they  are  less  common  at  that  season ;  it  is  therefore  not 
improbable  that  the  young  males  proceed  farther  south,  generally, 
than  either  the  females  or  younger  birds.  Mr.  Cooper  remarks,  that 
in  the  vicinity  of  New  York  the  purple  are  aa  common  as  the  brown 
birds. 


BULLFINCHES.  (Pykuhula.  JBriss.) 
In  these  birds  the  bill  is  short,  robust,  thick,  conve.x-conic,  turgid 
at  the  sides,  compressed  at  the  point,  the  upper  mandible  acute,  and 
obviously  curved,  as  well  as  the  inferior  more  or  less ;  palate  smooth 
and  scooped.  Nostrils  basal,  lateral,  rounded,  and  most  commonly 
concealed  by  the  feathers  of  the  frontlet.  Tongue  thick,  and  some- 
what fleshy.  Tarsus  shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  which  is  united 
at  base  to  the  outer.  —  tVbigs  rather  short ;  the  3  first  primaries 
graduated,  the  4th  longest.  Tail  slightly  rounded  or  square.  —  The 
female  differs  considerably  from  the  male.  They  moult  generally 
twice  in  tlie  year. 

45* 


i 


I'lyHtlMMKIi 


634 


ORANIVOROVH  BIRDS. 


The  Bullfinches  possesa  many  of  tlie  habits  l^^  t'l'  i'mssWlIs,  (o 
which  thiy  are  nearly  allied  ;  they  subsist  on  tUf  U.u  J"st*eedg,  ff.-m 
which  il>ey  separate  the  husk.  Some  of  thf  for«ig..i  spocies  liavo 
exceedii'igly  thick  and  strong  bills,  capable  of  elf  avinj.''  the  most  com- 
pact and  woody  shells  of  seeds.  Most  of  th'-  Bpecien  inhabit  cold 
and  tcmpurate  c  imateg,  b  ■  ng  sprc  id  throutih  l''ur.j-j,  Aui-sica, 
and  Nortlicrn  Asia  ;  there  ar*'  a  smaller  number  in  Africa,  and  none 
in  Australin  ;  some  exi?t  also  in  tropica';  America.  They  live  in  for- 
ests, building!:  in  trees  and  buKhea,  and  lay  ■;  or  5  eggs. 


CRIMSON-FRONTEl^  BUI /.FINCH. 

(IVrAu/a /rontniVi,  BoNAp.  Am.  Orii,  i.  ;■  49.  pi.  fi.  t!;T.  !  [male] 
fiw.  2.  [female].  Fringitla  fron'jrlis,  fc'\y,  neo.  T^atk.  Piiil. 
Museum,  No.  «)27G-7  ) 

{?;-.  Chafact.  —  Dusky-brownish;  fore  part  of  the  head,  throat, 
breast.,  a  id  rump  crimson ;  belly  whitish,  spotted  with  dusky  ;  tail 
oenrly  even.  —  Female  dusky-brown,  the  feathers  edged  wit", 
irlrlish  ;  no  crimson  ;  boiiealh  whitish,  ;  tre,iked  with  dusky. 

Fan  this  new  species  we  arc  aifain  indebted  to  the 
industry  of  Mr.  Say,  who  described  it  in  Long's  Expedi- 
tion. It  was  met  witli  near  to  tlio  base  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  in  tlic  month  of  .luly,  on  tiie  plains  of  the 
Arkansa,  and  consequently  passes  the  breeding  season  in 
that  country,  having  tiius  probably  a  very  limited  north- 
ern range.  To  the  South,  however,  they  have  since  been 
observed  by  Mr.  Bullock  on  the  table  land  of  Mexico. 
They  live,  like  the  Purple  Finch,  in  small  scattered  flocks, 
and  were  observed  to  fre(|uent  the  tops  of  the  cotton- 
wood  poplars  (Populua  angulntn  ?),  feeding  partially  on 
their  buds.  Their  voice  is  said  to  resemble  that  of  the 
preceding  bird,  but  we  are  not  informed  of  their  possess- 
ing any  musical  powers. 

This  species  is  iibodt  5.^  inches  long.  The  head  near  the  front, 
neck  beneath,  and  upper  portion  of  the  breast  crimson,  deeper  near 
the  bill  and  over  the  eye  ;  cheeks,  and  space  from  bill  to  eyes  grey- 
ish.   The  occiput,  the  neck  above,  and  on  the  sides,  brown,  with  a 


PINE  GROSBEAK  Oil  BULLFINCH. 


535 


I  of  *.%«  OroBsWlIs.  to 

tcrr«ijj,.i  ipociea  iiave 
*:avi!i;.'  the  most  r,om- 
specieii  inlmbit  ijold 
;li  Kutoj.d,  Ani-iita, 
r  ill  Africa,  and  none 
;a.  They  live  in  for- 
5  eggs. 

.FINCH. 

pi.  C.   t!;T.  !    [male] 
,  nee.  I^ATK.     Phil. 

of  tiie  head,  throat, 
itted  with  dusky  ;  tail 
feathers  edged  wit", 
iked  witii  dusky. 

I  indebted  to  the 
1  Long's  Expedi- 
iso  of  the  Rocky 
ilie  plains  of  the 
ceding  season  in 
!ry  limited  nortli- 
'  have  since  been 
land  of  Mexico. 
I  scattered  flocks, 
ps  of  the  cotton- 
ding  partially  on 
Mnble  that  of  the 
of  their  possess- 

lead  near  the  front, 
;riinson,  deeper  near 
in  bill  to  eyes  grey- 
lides,  brown,  with  a 


reddish  cast.  The  back  dusky-brownish  ;  rum-  crimson,  less  vivid 
than  the  head.  Inferior  portion  of  the  breast,  belly,  and  vent  whit- 
ish, each  feather  having  a  broad,  fuscous  line.  Wings  blackish- 
brown. 


PINE  GROSBEAK  ok  BULLFINCH. 

(Pyrrhulti  cnitrlmtor,  Tkmm.  Litria  cimchator,  Wilson,  i.  p.  80.  pi. 
5.  fig.  2.  [young  male  of  the  first  year.]  Phil.  Museum,  No. 
664.) 

Sp.  CiiARACT.  —  The  wings  with  2  white  bands,  and  the  tail 
black  ;  secondaries  edged  with  white  ;  lengtli  about  9  inches.  — 
Mult  male  tinged  with  reddish-orange,  beneath  inclined  more  to 
yellow,  above  varied  with  blackish-brown.  —  In  the  young  male 
the  same  parts  and  the  rump  are  carmine  of  dilferent  shades,  ex- 
cept tlie  flanks,  abdomen,  and  vent,  which  are  cinereous. — Fe- 
male, with  the  »op  of  the  head  and  rump  browniah-orange ;  below 
cinereous,  with  a  faint  tinge  of  orange. 

This  splendid   and   very   hardy   bird   appears  to  dwell 
almost  wholly  within  the  cold  and  arctic  regions  of  both 
continents,  from  whence  only,   in   severe   winters,  a  few 
migrate  into  Canada  and  the  United   States,   where  they 
are    consecpiently    of    rare    and    uncertain    occurrence. 
They  are  common  in  the  pine  forests  of  Siberia,  Lapland, 
and  the  northern  parts  of  Russia ;    and  arc  ah  >  observed 
in  the  Scottish  Highlands,  and  on  the  Northwest  coast  of 
America.     They  have  been  seen  in  winter   in  the  lower 
part  of  Missouri,  and  at  the  same  season,  occasionally,  in 
the  maritime  parts  of  Massachusetts  and  Penn.sylvania. 
The  American  birds  of  this  species  are  observed  to  re- 
turn to  Hudson's   Bay  as  early  as  April.     According  to 
Mr.  Pennant,  tlioy  frequent  the  woods  of  pine  and  juni- 
per, and  are  now  possessed  of  musical  talents ;  but  as  the 
period  of  incubation  approaches,  they  grow  silent.    Their 
nests   are  made   in  trees   (probably  their   favorite  ever- 
greens), at  a  small  height  from   the   ground,   with  twigs 
externally,   and   lined  with  feathers.     The  eggs,  4  or  5 


«86 


ORAN1VOR0U8  BIROS. 


are  white  ?,  and  the  young  arc  hatched  in  June.  Suited 
to  the  sterile  cliinutes  they  inhabit,  their  fare,  besides 
the  seeds  of  the  pine,  alpine  plants,  and  berries,  often 
consists  of  the  buds  of  the  poplar,  willow,  and  other  north- 
ern trees  and  shrubs  ;  so  that  tliey  arc  <fcncrally  secure  of 
the  means  uf  subsistence,  as  long  as  the  snows  arc  not 
too  overwhelming.  Thi!  individuals,  as  yet  seen  in  the 
United  States,  are  wholly  young  birds,  whicli,  it  seems, 
naturally  seek  out  warmer  climates  than  the  adult  and 
more  hardy  individuals. 

The  lengtli  of  the  Pine  Bullfinch  is  about  0  inches  or  under. 
Tail  considerably  forked.     Legs  biacit.     Bill  brownish  horn-color. 

CROSSBILLS.     (LoxiA.  Jiriss.) 

In  these  birds  the  bill  is  robust  nrid  convex,  with  the  mandibles 
croaging  each  otlier  and  compressed  towards  tlie  points,  which  are 
extended  in  tliu  fi)rin  of  crescents.  NosmiLs  basal,  lateral,  rounded, 
hidden  by  the  advancing  liairs  oftlie  front.  To.voue  cartilaginous, 
short,  entire,  and  pointed.  The  tahsis  nearly  equal  with  the  mid- 
dle toe  ;  toes  divided  to  the  base  ;  hind  nail  largest,  much  curved. — 
Wings  moderate,  1st  and  2d  primaries  longest.     Tail  notched. 

The  female  and  younfr  differ  considerably  from  the  adult  male,  and 
from  each  other;  there  is  likewise  a  difference  of  plumage  accord- 
ing to  age  and  season  ;  although  they  are  believed  to  moult  but  once 
a  year.  They  inhabit  the  boreal  and  arctic  regions,  and  possess 
most  of  the  manners  of  the  Grosbeaks  and  Bullfinches.  They  live 
principally  in  the  forests  of  pine  and  fir ;  feeding  usually  on  the 
seeds  or  nuts  of  that  family  of  trees,  their  bills  being  singularly  well 
adapted  for  the  opening  of  the  pine  cones ;  they  feed  also  on  other 
kinds  of  hard  seeds  of  the  trees  and  shrubs  of  ,  )1J  and  alpine  re- 
gions. In  Europe  they  are  observed  to  nest  oflen  in  the  depth  of 
winter,  and  still  later  in  the  cold  and  arctic  regions  whither  they  re- 
tire at  tlie  approach  of  summer.  Their  migrations  are  irregular,  and 
influenced  nmch  by  accidental  circumstances  ;  sometimes  they  ap- 
pear in  great  numbers,  as  if  driven  forth  by  the  approach  of  famine. 
They  are  active  and  not  timorous  ;  and  easily  tamed.  By  the  genus 
Psittiroslra,  or  Parrot-billed  Grosbeak  of  New  Holland,  tlie  Cross- 
bills evidently  approach  tlie  Parrots  of  the  next  order  ZvaoDACTVLi, 


iWiWillllliWWMMWInmjWWaiMMBIW'ilUBII'WMllWJ! 


PAHOQUET  CnOB8DII.L. 


537 


in  June.  Suited 
Kiir  fare,  besides 
ind  berries,  often 
',  and  other  north- 
cncriilly  secure  of 
the  snows  are  not 
IS  yet  seen  in  the 

which,  it  seems, 
an  the   adult  and 

t  9  inchea  or  under, 
rownish  liorn-color. 

Hriss.) 

,  with  the  nmndiblea 
lie  pointo,  whiuh  are 
isal,  lateral,  riiuuded, 
ONOUE   cartilaginous, 

equal  with  the  niid- 
gest,  niucli  curved.  — 

Tail  notched, 
m  the  adult  mule,  and 
e  of  plumage  accord. 
ved  to  moult  but  once 

regions,  and  possess 
illfmches.  They  live 
;ding  usually  on  the 

being  singularly  well 
hey  feed  also  on  other 
f  ,  ilJ  and  alpine  re- 

oflen  in  the  depth  of 
jions  whither  they  re- 
ions  are  irregular,  and 

;  sontetimes  they  ap- 
B  approach  of  famine, 
tamed.  By  the  genus 
r  Holland,  Uie  Cross- 
it  order  ZrooDACTVLi. 


PAROQUET  CROSSBILL. 

{iMxia  pijtiopsittacus,  Bechst.  Tf.mminck,  i.  p.  .325.  (ed.  all.) 

Sp.  Chak^ct.  —  Wings  without  bands  ;  bill  shorter  than  the  middle 
toe,  very  sloiit,  and  greatly  incurved,  the  point  of  the  lower  man- 
dible not  crossing  the  upper  edge  of  the  bill. 

Thi.s  species,  iiitherto  unseen  in  the  limits  of  the 
United  States,  inhabits,  according  to  Tcmniinck,  tlic 
high  northern  regions  of  America  as  well  as  Europe, 
wliere  tliey  principally  dwell  and  breed.  They  are  some- 
times, iiowever,  seen  in  summer  in  Poland,  Prussia,  and 
Germany  ;  and  disperse  themselves  in  winter  through  the 
pine  forests  for  subsistence,  returning  again  to  the  north 
at  the  approach  of  summer.  They  live  on  the  seeds  of 
the  pine  and  alder,  which  they  dexterously  extract  from 
their  cones  and  catkins.  They  nest  in  winter  in  Europe, 
upon  the  branches  of  the  same  evergreens  which  afford 
them  their  principal  sustenance.  In  Livonia,  they  lay 
in  the  month'of  May  ;  the  nest  is  neatly  and  artfully  con- 
structed. The  eggs,  4  or  5,  are  cinereous,  marked  at  the 
larger  end  with  some  large,  irregular  spots  of  blood-red, 
and  with  lesser  scattered  spots  of  tlie  same. 

Length  about  74  inches.  In  the  old  male  the  general  color  is  olive- 
grey  ;  cheeks,  throat,  and  sides  of  the  neck  cinereous  ;  upon  the 
head  brown  spotri  edged  with  greenish-grey  ;  rumpgreenisli-yellow; 
breast  and  belly  of  the  same  color,  but  shaded  with  greyish;  some 
longitudinal  spots  of  dark  cinereous  upon  the  flanks.  Wings  and 
tail  blackish-brown,  edged  with  olive-grey ;  rump  brown,  with  a 
wide  and  pale  border.  Iris  dark  brown.  Bill  blackish  horn-color. 
Feet  brown. — Male,  up  'o  the  age  of  a  year.  Above  and  below  of  a 
scarlet  red,  more  or  less  pure  according  to  the  time  elapsed  from  the 
commencement  of  their  second  moult,  which  takes  place  in  .\pril  or 
May.  Tail  and  wings  blackish,  the  feathers  edged  with  reddish.  A 
little  time  after  the  completion  of  the  first  moult,  the  red  of  the  plum- 
age becomes  shaded  with  greyish  ;  also  some  grey  spots  upon  tlie 
throat  and  cheeks ;  the  abdomen  and  rump  roaoceous-white,  upon  the 


I?! 


Htm 


aRAMVOROUH  BIRDS. 


Utt«r  n  hrjfe  brown  iipot  occupy  ing  •»  centre,  -  The  young  of  they  far 
U«  of  tt  j,revitli-l>r3WIl  above,  witli  darker  »poU  upon  l|i«  head  and 
»•    -k      Btilow  wluti»h-|{rey  with  longiludinftl  bnnvn  apot*  ;    rump  of 

n,,  vaviili  Xn'y.—  Thefcmu,  .iifferH  little  from  the  young  last 
IU*<T'>ii'J  the  upper  pnrtH  iire  fjrcenish  grey,  with  iiirge  »pot»  of 
ciaereoua-brown  ;  the  throat  uiid  ni-ck  groyigji,  nhaded  with  brown  ; 
tlie  rent  of  tin-  h)wi'r  parts  cinereous,  siiglitly  sliaded  witii  greenish- 
yellow  ;  rump  yellowinh  ;  belly  and  rump  whitish,  uj)Oii  the  latter 
a  lar|;e  brown  spot. 


i:0;»iMUN  CROSSBILL. 

(Loxia  eurvirostra,  Lin.  Curviroatra  americana,  Wilson,  iv.  p.  44. 
pi.  31.  fijr.  I.  [young  male  !J  fig.  2.  [adult  male  >}  I'hil.  Museum, 
N.).r>ti40.) 

Bp.  Chabact.  — Wings  without  bands;  the  bill  as  long  m  the  mid- 
dle toe  ;  tin-  point  of  the  lower  mandible  crossinij  the  top  of  the 
bill.  — ./J,/«//Tn«/r,  greenish-yellow  inclining  Btronijlv  to  cinere- 
ous. —  Female  and  young  In fmethe  first  moult,  shaded  with  green- 
ish and  yellowish  tints  ;  rump  yellowish  ;  beneath  whitish,  streak- 
ed witli  <lu!.k_y .  —  Yuuufi  male,  tificr  thtjirtt  moult,  hii,  U  icd. 

This  mor(>  common  species,  like  the  preceding,  inhab- 
its the  high   iiori.    rn   and   arctic  regions  of  both  conti- 
nents, whei     it  breeds,  and  is  met   with  'm.i  ,    Greenland 
fo  Penn.sylvania,  or  farther  south,   according  to   the  sea- 
son, and  their    ucces.s  in  obtaining  food,  when  drivot    *o 
make  their  southern  descent   or  miwrution.      P'rom  . 
tf/nber  to  April,  they  are  foun.l    inhuiiting  the  extet  sive 
pine  forests  in   tin;  mountainoi       ml    interior  districts  of 
Pennsylvania  and  other   states   to   the  North  ;    tiiey  also 
extend  tneir  wintor  migrations  into  the  lower  parts  of  the 
state  of  Missouri.     They  have  occasionally  been  seen  in 
t'le  m,i    time   pn       of  Mast^     husetts,   but   are  les."  com- 
mon here   thai  the  following  species,  generally  takjf 
in  their  irregular   incursions,  a  more  interior  and  moun- 
♦  inu'is  route.     In  ;!ie  eastern  .liain  of  the  Allcghnnies, 
in  Pennsylvania,  according  to  Wilson,  they  appear       be 


mu 


COMMON  CROflHIIILL. 


539 


Tlir  young  of  the  year 
ts  upuii  tliu  head  and 
own  spoU  ;  rump  of 
from  the  young  Inst 
,  Willi   Itirjj;!'  Hpots  of 

Himded  with  brown  ; 
ladttd  with  ^rpenish- 
itiali,  upon  the  lulicr 


,L. 

I,  WiLiioN,  iv.  p.  44. 
ale  ?j  Phil.  Muieum, 

II  aa  long  as  the  mid- 
isviiii;  the  top  of  the 
I  Btriiiiijl  to  cinere- 
(,  Hhndf  d  with  green- 
leath  whitish,  streak- 
moult,  luiikicd. 

preceding,  inhab- 
ns  of  both  conti- 
»  f'ovf  Greenland 
ding  to  the  sea- 
,  when  driven  fo 
ion.  From  n^y 
ing  the  exter  ^ive 
terior  rlistricts  of 
^forth  ;  thoy  also 
ower  parts  of  the 
lly  been  sc^m  in 
•ut  are  ies.'-  coin- 
^enerally  taking, 
terior  and  mnun- 
ihe  Allcghrtnies, 
hey  appear       be 


at  tiincs  very  Imndnnt  visitors,  feeding  so  ptoadily  on 
the  seud.s  of  the  white  pine  and  licinlock  !<pruco,  as  to  be 
approached  without  taking  alarm.  They  hiive  also  a  loud, 
sharp,  and  not  iinmnsical  note,  chattt^ring  as  tliey  fly; 
and,  during  the  prevalence  of  deep  snows,  become  so 
tamed  by  hunger  as  to  alight  round  the  mountain  cabins, 
even  settling  on  the  roofs  when  disturbed,  and,  like 
pigeons,  d(;scending  in  the  next  moment  to  feed  as  if 
they  had  never  been  molested.  They  are  then  easily 
trapped,  iind  so  eager  and  unsuspicious,  as  to  allow  an 
n|)proach  so  near  that  they  may  be  knocked  down  with 
sticks.  In  these  very  fumiliar  visits  they  arc  ob.served 
even  to  pick  olT  the  clav  from  the  logs  of  the  house,  and 
to  swallow  the  mereeartli  to  nl'  the  cravings  of  hunger. 
In  cages  thoy  show  many  ol  <•  habits  of  the  Parrot, 
climbing  up  the  sides  .ind  holding  the  pine  cones  given 
them  ill  ne  claw  while  they  extract  the  seeds.  Like 
iO  same  bird,  in  Louisiana,  they  also  do  considerable 
damage  at  times  in  the  orchard,  by  tearing  apples  to 
pieces  for  the  sake  of  glutting  at  the  seeds  only.  They 
feed  likewise  on  the  seeds  of  tii'-  alder,  as  well  as  the 
kernels  )f  other  fruits,  and  the  buds  of  trees.  None 
of  "M  birds  have  yet  been  observed  to  breed  within 
the  i  Mied  States,  as  they  retire  for  this  purpose  to 
iheir  lavonte  pine  forests  in  high  and  more  cool  lati- 
tude" here  In  security  and  solitude  they  pursue  the 
duti  pr.    rc.ron.     Like  the   preceding,  the?  often 

breed  II  .!•  >■  in  more  temperate  countries,  as  in  Jan- 
uary and  l'\  oru  ry,  and  the  young  fly  in  March.  The 
nest  i"  -aid  to  be  fixed  in  ilio  forks  of  fir-trees  ;  and  the 
eggs,  4  or  5,  are  of  a  greenish-grey,  wit'i  a  circle  of  red- 
dish-brown    pots,  points,  lines,   disposed  chiefly  ; 

the  larger  end  ;  the  lines  ■  often  extend  over  the 
whole  surface  of  the  egg. 


S40 


GRANIVOROt  ■  BIRDS. 


Th«  length  or  thif  *peciei  1«  about  (^  inrhc*.  The  bill  brown 
horn-color.  I.cjfi  nn<l  feet  lijjlit  brown  ;  r.law  <  Inrjfn,  niiirli  nirveil 
and  very  Hliarp  for  the  ixirpime  ni  clingipg  to  the  cone*  ami  fruita  on 
which  thi»y  feed,     Irid«t»  brown. 


WIIITE-WINGED  CROSSBILL. 

(Loxia  If.utopttra,  Gmki.,  Currirmtra  kiicujitira,  \\ii.i!oi»,  iv.  p. 
48.  pi.  III.  fig.  n.  [young  male],  Bonai*  Am.  Orn.  li.  pi.  14.  Rg. 
8.  [IViiiale]. 

Sp.  ('iiAn*cT.  —  WinjjH  »ith  8  white  bonds.  —  Tiio  ditfi-rent  states 
of  pluiimge  very  Hiiiiilnr  to  thu  preceding.  —  Young  male  more  in- 
clined to  crlinNon,  and  without  nny  yellow. 

Tiii.s  beautiful  and  well  di.stini;iii.sli(>(l  species  inhab- 
its the  nortliorn  rcgion.s  of  tiic!  American  continent  only, 
from  whence,  at  irregular  intervals,  oti  the  approach  of 
winter,  they  arrive  in  the  Northern  and  Middle  States; 
and,  aa  usual,  with  the  rc^st  i)f  this  curious  fauiiiy,  seek 
out  the  pine  and  i»endock->prucc  forests.  Their  visits 
to  this  state  arc  very  irregular.  About  two  years  since 
they  were  seen  in  larije,  gregarious,  famished  flocks, 
near  Newburyport  and  other  neighbouring  towns  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  sea-coast,  at  which  time  many  were 
caught,  killed,  nnd  caged.  Their  whole  habits  are 
almost  entirely  similar  to  tho.sc  of  the  preceding'  spe- 
cies. 

According  to  Mr.  Ilutchins  in  Latham,*  this  species, 
as  is  supposed,  arrives  around  Hudson's  Bay  in  March, 
and  in  May  builds  a  nest  of  grass,  mud,  and  feathers, 
fixed  generally  about  half  way  up  a  pine  tree,  and  lays 
6  white  eggs,  marked  with  yellowish  spots.  The  young 
fly  about  the  end  of  June.  It  remains  in  this  country 
till  the  close  of  November,  after  which  it  retires,  proba- 
bly to  the  South ;  and  Wilson's  bird  was  obtained  in  the 

•  Latham'i  Goneral  Synopiit,  Supplement,  i.  p.  148.  Tito.] 


he*.  The  bill  brown 
•  Inrge,  iiiiirh  curved 
lie  coiiei  uikI  fruiu  on 


WBILL. 

tira,  ANiLgosr,  iv.  p. 
rn.  Orn.  ii.  pi.  14.  fig. 

-Tiio  ilid'iTent  Htnte* 
•  Young  mulr  more  in- 

od  Rpecics  inhab- 
[in  coiiiinciit  only, 
II  tlie  approach  of 
(J  Middle  States; 
rioii.s  fiimily,  seek 
sts.  Their  visits 
it  two  years  since 
fanii.shcd  flocks, 
iring  towns  in  the 
time  many  were 
whole  habits  nre 
le  preceding'  spe- 

im,*  this  species, 
I'a  Bay  in  March, 
ud,  and  feathers, 
ac  tree,  and  lays 
pots.  The  young 
»  in  this  country 
I  it  retires,  proba- 
as  obtained  in  the 

.  p.  148.  [«o.] 


wniTR-wiNOED  cnnnnniM,, 


541 


Oront  Pino  Hwnmp  or  forest  of  the  Pokono  (Pennsyiva- 
nia),  in  tlic  month  of  September,  so  that  it  may  be  poa- 
siblo  that  some  few  pairs  breed  in  this  situation. 

ThiH«peci,.«  i«  ahoiif  .-,i  inche.  long.  ([„  the  yoiniff  inalo)  tl.o 
wnj;,  ..nd  t«il  are  oC  a  deep  black  |  and  the  general  color  of  tba 
plutnatre  ig  dark  crimnon,  partially  spotted  witli  d,i«l<y ;  tertiaU 
tipt  with  whitp  ;  vont  white,  .pottf  .1  with  dusky.  Bill  brown  horn- 
color,    Feet  and  legs  brown,  and  utout  ai.  in  the  preceding  «pccie«, 


4a 


xm^ifim^sm^^0 


ORDER    FIFTH. 


ZYGODACTYLI.     {Birds  with  the  toes  disposed  in 
opposite  pairs.) 

The  bill  of  various  forms,  but  more  or  less  arched  and 
much  hooked, — often  also  straight  and  angular  (in  the 
second  family  or  sub-order.)  The  toes  are  always  di- 
rected two  backward  and  two  forward,  the  hind  exterior 
toe^  however,  often  reversible. 

This  order  contains  birds  which  have  the  power  of 
directing  at  will  the  outer  toe  backward  or  forward ;  it 
also  co'>.tains  a  considerable  number  (or  subordinate 
family)  which  retain  habitually  the  digits  in  pairs.  This 
conformation,  affording  a  more  solid  manner  of  attach- 
ment, furnishes  the  means  for  clinging  to  and  scaling  the 
trunks  and  branches  of  trees ;  others  also  make  use  of 
this  support  advantageously  for  the  purpose  of  prehension 
(as  the  Parrots.)  The  European  and  North  American 
genera  of  this  order  subsist  principally  upon  caterpillars, 
worms,  and  the  larvte  of  insects  ;  other  exotic  genera, 
with  a  thick  and  curv3d  bill,  give  a  preference  to  soft 
fruits,  while  others,  with  very  strong  and  hooked  bills, 
derive  their  subsistence  from  kernels  and  nuts.  The 
greater  number  of  those  birds  which  have  the  toes  dis- 
posed in  pairs,  nest  in  the  natural  cavities  of  old  trees, 
and  some,  by  the  aid  of  their  cutting  wedged,  bills,  form 


m^msmuimmumum 


rn. 


he  toes  disposed  in 

or  less  arched  and 
id  angular  (in  the 
oes  are  always  di- 
1,  the  hind  exterior 

have  the  power  of 
vard  or  forward  ;  it 
cr  (or  subordinate 
gits  in  pairs.  This 
manner  of  attach- 
y  to  and  scaling  the 
s  also  make  use  of 
irpose  of  prehension 
id  North  American 
ly  upon  caterpillars, 
ither  exotic  genera, 
1  preference  to  soft 
y  and  hooked  bills, 
3ls  and  nuts.  The 
li  have  the  toes  dis- 
avities  of  old  trees, 
wedged,  bills,  form 


PARnOTS. 


548 


for  themselves  holes  to  answer  this  purpose.      This  order 
IS,  therefore,  naturally  divisible,  by  the  form  of  the  bill 
mto  two  families. 


FIRST  FAMILY. 

In  these  birds  the  bill  is  more  or  less  arched.  The  toes  are  usu- 
ally  disposed  in  pairs,  two  before  and  two  behind ;  sometimes,  how- 
ever, the  external  hind  toe  is  reversible,  or  capable  of  being  directed 
backward  or  forward. 


PARROTS.     (PsiTTAcus,  Lin.) 
In  these  the  bill  is  short,  large,  protuberant,  extremely  hard  and 
robust,  somewhat  compressed,  convex  above  and  below,  furnished 
With   a   cere   at '  the  base;    both  the    mandibles  movable;    the  up- 
per  .  urved   from   its   origin,   with  U,e  margin,  angular,  the  point 
hooked,  and  more  or  less  subulate;    lower  mandible  shorter,  blunt, 
and  curved  at  the  point,  which  by  use  then  sometimes  presents  two 
more  or  less  obvious  points.     Nostrils  basal,  orbicular,  open,  and 
perforated  within  the  boundary  of  the   cere.     Tongue  thick  and 
fleshy,  entire,  rounded  at  tip,  and  sometimes  pencillated  (or  divided 
mto  terminal  threads,  as  in  the   Toucans.)     Feet  short  and  robust; 
the  tarsus  naked  and  reticulated,  shorter  than  the    outer  toe  ;    fore 
toes  united  at  base,  opposable  to  the  hind  ones;    outer  hind  toe  not 
versatile  ;  sole  of  the  foot  broad  and  flat,  nails  incurved,  rather  large 
and  acute. -fnn„»-s  rather  long;    the  3  first  primaries  nearly  equal 
or  very  slightly  graduated.     TaU  of  various  forms,  consisting  of  12 
feathers.- The /«maZ«  generally  similar   to  the  male;    the  youn^ 
differ  „mch  from  the  adult,  and  pass  through  several  changes  pre" 
vious,.  attaining  their  perfect  plumage;    the  colors  of  which  are 
unusually  brilliant. 

These  remarkable  and  gregarious  birds  dwell  in  forests,  chiefly  in 
all  the  warm  or  mild  climates,  excepting  Europe  ;  a  single  s  aall  spe- 
cies exists  however  at  the  Straita  of  Magellan,*  in  the  Southern  hem- 
isphere, whic'-  is  much  more  prolific  in  kinds  than  the  Northern. 
They  are  naturally  noisy  and  unmusical,  having  little  or  no  variety 
of  note,  until  tamed  and  educated,  when,  in  consequence  of  their 
docility,  aptness,  and  happy  conformatio'i  of  vocal  organs,  they  are 

♦  PsUtacus  smaragdinus,  Emerald  Farrakeet. 


544 


ZYOODACTYLI, 


readily  taugiit  to  articulate  the  sounds  of  the  human  voice,  either  in 
speech  or  luusic,  with  a  surprising  exactness,  and  exhibit  also  by  .no 
inconsiderable  share  of  memory.  They  are,  in  short,  perfect  apes, 
and  deserve  to  raak  witk  the  most  intelligent  of  irrational  ani- 
maJa.*  Ther  fly  with  the  swiftness  of  wild  pigeons,  and  climb 
by  means  of  the  bill  and  feet,  wliich  last,  indeed,  supply  the 
place  of  hi^xiB,  HBi  u*  oAen  employed  for  the  preh<r>'Dsion  of  their 
food.  They  Sued  an  fruits  and  seeds,  breaking  tlie  hardest  pericarps, 
and  inflictinc  jwwerful  Wites.  They  often  hmld  and  roost  in  the  cav- 
ities of  deaenrnd  trees,  ami  Ksmetimes  also  itest  in  the  bifurcuuon  of 
large  limbs,  or  in  the  ciEviiies  of  rocks,  laying  irom  2  to  4  roundish, 
■wh^-iiggB  tiatice  a  year  Tltey  are  said  to  macnste  the  food  for 
thax"^aitnt^.^Bd  in  cm^Bmty  are  neartr  (HKiiTornia,  bst  grrt  a  pre- 
ferenne  to  nuts  and  liniiiai  ti  — Note.  We  ]■»<•  already  remarked 
their  affinity  to  the  Ijiiini  aae  of  the  '^ecica  bmng  called  indeed,  by 
some.  Gasman  Parraas  r  iM  the  intermediate  link  seems  decided  in 
the  Psittxmatra  !  Tham  iHwe  likewise  a  moae  remote  affinity  to  the 
AcciPiT^ES,  from  yomA,  MtiieBame  time,  tiieir  habits  a.Te  wholly 
estranged.  The  Fi  wiifci  ■,  dUed  to  the  Pairote  m  jArsical  dtnicture, 
have,  also,  like  «i«iii'  »  ■— tjik«t.lo  de^rree  of  dooilitT,  and  havr  been 
taught  to  perform  featu-ith  aQ  the  addre^  and  sagacity  of  monkeys,  t 
The  Vidvas,  in  tlxir  e«ng«ted  tails,  ^m  almost  dd  represent  the 
aeetiou  of  tl.e  Panruiiiiw 


Subgenus.  —  Psittaciis. 

With   the  upper  nmadible  fi  irnisbed  mternally  with  u  transverse 
process  nea/  the  point. 


*  For  further  partieailara  concerning  the  docility  of  tlie  Fairot,  aeo  tlie  latooduc- 
tion,  p.  SO,  31. 
t  Bee  the  Introduction,  p.  SI. 


uinan  voice,  either  in 
ind  exhibit  also  by  no 
1  liliort,  perfect  apes, 
ent  of  irrational  ani- 
pigeons,  and  climb 
indeed .  supply  the 
e  prehi-nsion  of  their 
the  hardest  pericarps, 
i  and  roost  in  the  cav- 
.  in  the  bifurcation  of 
lirom  2  to  4  roundish, 
lacerate  the  food  for 
>rraB,  bat  giT#  a  pre- 
vf  ilieady  remarked 
»ing  called  indred,  by 
ink  HKeiDB  decided  in 
remote  affinity  to  tbe 
leir  Imbits  ore  wholly 
in  pfcrsical  dtructure, 
cilitT,  and  havr  been 
lajracity  of  monikeys.t 
lost  TO  icpreseRt  the 


Uy  with  u  transverse 


FaiiiK.  aeo  tbe  btroduo- 


J 


CAROLINA  PARROT. 

(Psittacus  cariilininsi/i,  L.    Wilson,  iii.  p.  89.  pi.  2(5.  fiir.  i.     Au- 
dubon, pi.  •2).  p.  13.'>.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  762. J 

Sp.  Charact.— (Jreen;  head  and  neck  yellow;  forehead  and 
cheeks  orange;  tail  elongated.  —The  young  without  the  yellow 
color. 

Of  more  than  200  species  now  known  to  belong  to 
this  remarkable  and  brilliant  genus,  the  present  is  the 
only  one  found  inhabiting  the  United  States ,  it  is  also 
restricteu  to  the  warmer  parts,  rarely  venturing  beyond 
the  state  of  Virginia.  West  of  the  Alleghanies,  however 
46* 


L%  » 


ZTGODACTYU. 


circtnstaunccs  induce  them  commonly  to  visit  much 
higher  latitudes  ;  so  that  following  the  great  valley  of  the 
Mississippi,  they  are  seen  to  frequent  the  banks  of  the 
Illinois,  and  occasionally  to  approach  the  southern 
shores  of  Lake  Michigan.  Straggling  parties  even  have 
sometimes  been  seen  in  the  valley  of  the  Juniata  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  a  flock,  to  the  great  surprise  of  the 
Dutch  inhabitants  of  Albany,  are  said  to  have  appeared 
in  that  vicinity.  This  species  constantly  inhabits  and 
breeds  in  the  Southern  States,  and  is  so  far  hardy  as  to 
make  its  appearance,  commonly  in  the  depth  of  winter, 
along  the  woody  banks  of  the  Ohio,  the  interior  of  Ala- 
bama, and  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  and  Missouri 
around  St.  Louis,  and  other  places,  when  nearly  all  other 
birds  have  migrated  before  the  storms  of  the  season. 

The  Carolina  Parakeets  in  all  their  movements,  which 
are  uniformly  gregarious,  show  a  peculiar  predilection 
for  the  alluvial,  rich,  and  dark  forests  bordering  the 
principal  rivers  and  larger  streams,  in  which  the  towel- 
ing cypress  *  and  gigantic  sycamore  t  spread  their  vast 
summits,  or  stretch  their  innumerable  arms,  over  a  wide 
waste  of  moving  or  stagnant  waters.  From  these,  the 
beech,  and  the  hack-berry,  J  they  derive  an  important 
supply  of  food.  The  flocks,  moving  in  the  manner  of 
wild  pigeons,  dart  in  swift  and  airy  phalanx  through  the 
green  boughs  of  the  forest ;  screaming  in  a  general  con- 
cert, they  wheel  in  wide  and  descending  circles  round  the 
tu'  button-wood,  and  all  alight  in  the  same  instant,  their 
green  vesture,  like  the  fairy  mantle,  rendering  them 
nearly  invisible  beneath  the  shady  branches,  where  they 
sit,  perhaps  arr.anging  their  plumage,  and,  shuffling  side 
',  y  side,  seem  to  caress,  and  scratch  each  other's  heads 
with  all  the  fondness  and  unvarying  friendship  of  affec- 


Cupressiis  disUcha. 


\  Flatanus  occidenlaiis. 


X  CeUis  occidentaUs, 


y  to  visit  much 
rreat  valley  of  the 
the  bank8  of  the 
ih  the  southern 
parties  even  have 

the  Juniata  in 
It  surprise  of  the 
to  have  appeared 
tttly  inhabits  and 
lo  far  hardy  as  to 
depth  of  winter, 
3  interior  of  Ala- 
)pi  and  Missouri 
n  nearly  all  other 
f  the  season, 
lovements,  which 
aliar  predilection 
ts  bordering  the 
which  the  towei- 

spread  their  vast 
rms,  over  a  wide 

From  these,  the 
ive  an  important 
n  the  manner  of 
ilanx  through  the 
in  a  general  con- 
•  circles  round  the 
ime  instant,  their 

rendering  them 
iches,  where  they 
md,  shuffling  side 
ach  other's  heads 
•iendship  of  affcc- 

i  Celtis  occidentalit. 


CAROLINA  PARROT. 


647 


tionate  Doves.     If  the  gun  thin  their  ranks,  they  hover 
over  the  screaming,  wounded,  or  dying,  and  returning  and 
flying  around  ti.e  place  where  they  miss  their  compan- 
ions, in  their  sympathy  seem  to  lose  all  idea  of  impend- 
ing dangf  i\     More   fortunate  in   their   excursions,   they 
next  proceed  to  gratify  thn  calls  of  hunger,  and  descend 
to  the  hanks  of  the   river,  or  the   neighbouring  fields  in 
quest  of   the  inviting   kernels  of  the  cockle  burr,*  and 
probably  of  the    bitter-weed.t   which    they  extract   from 
their  husks  with  great  dexterity.    In  the  depth  of  winter, 
when  other  resources  begin  to  fail,  they,  in  common  with 
the    Yellow-Bird,    and   some   other   Finches,   assemble 
among  the   tall  sycamores,|:  and    hanging   from  the  ex- 
treme twigs,  in  the  most  airy  and  graceful  postures,  scat- 
ter around  them  a  cloud  of  down,  from  the  pendant  balls, 
in  quest  of  the  seeds,   which  now  afford  them  an  ample 
repast.     With  that  peculiar  caprice,  or  perhaps  appetite, 
which  characterizes  them,  they  are  also  observed  to  fre- 
quent the  saline  springs  or  licks  to  gratify  their  uncom- 
mon taste  for  salt.     Out  of  mere  wantonness,  they  often 
frequent  the  orchards,   and  appear  delighted  with  the 
fruitless    frolic   of  plucking  apples   from  the  trees,  and 
strewing   them  on   the  ground   untusted.     So  common  is 
this   practice  among   them,  in   Arkansas   Territory,  that 
no  apples  are  ever  suffered  to  ripen.  They  are  also  fond  of 
some    sorts   of  berries,  and   particularly    of  mulberries, 
which  they  eat  piecemeal,  in  tneir  usual  manner,  as  they 
hold  them  by  the  foot.  According  to  Audubon,  they  lik**- 
wise  attack    the  outstanding   stacks  of  grain  in  flocks, 
committing  great  waste  ;  and  on  these  occasions,  as  well 
as  the  former,  they  are  so  bold  or   incautious  as  readily 
to  become  the  prey  of  the  sportsman  in  great  numbers. 


*'  Xiuilhium  strumarium. 


t  .Ambrosia,  species. 


tPlatamu  ocdckntalu. 


fi48 


ZYGODACTYLI, 


Peculiarity  of  food  appears  wholly  to  influence  the  visits 
and  residence  of  this  bird,  and  in  plain,  champaign,  or 
mountainous  countries,  they  are  wholly  strangers,  though 
common  along  the  banks  of  all  the  intermediate  water- 
courses and  lagoons. 

Of  their  manners  at  the  interesting  period  of  propaga- 
tion and  incubation  we  are  not  yet  satisfactorily  inform- 
ed. They  nest  in  hollow  trees,  and  take  little,  if  any 
pains,  to  provide  more  than  a  simple  hollow  in  which  to 
lay  their  eggs,  like  the  Woodpeckers.  Several  females 
deposit  their  eggs  in  the  same  cavity  ;  the  number  laid  by 
each  is  said  to  be  only  2,  which  are  nearly  round,  and 
of  a  light  greenish-white.*  They  are,  at  nil  times,  par- 
ticularly attached  to  the  large  sycamores,  in  the  hollow 
trunks  of  which  they  roost  in  close  community,  and  enter 
at  the  same  aperture  into  which  they  climb.  They  are 
said  to  cling  close  to  the  sides  of  the  tree,  holding  fast 
by  the  claws  and  bill  ;  and  into  these  hollows  they  often 
retire  during  the  day,  either  in  very  warm  or  inclement 
weather,  to  sleep  or  pass  away  the  time  in  indolent  and 
social  security,  like  the  Rupicolasi  of  the  Peruvian  caves, 
at  length  only  hastily  aroused  to  forage  at  the  c-ills  of  hun- 
ger. Indeed  from  the  swiftness  and  celerity  ol  their  aeri- 
al movements,  darting  through  the  gleaming  sunshine, 
like  so  many  sylvan  cherubs,  decked  in  green  aad 
gold,  it  is  obvious  that  their  actions  as  well  as  their  man- 
ners are  not  calculated  for  any  long  endurance  ;  and  shy 
and  retiring  from  all  society  but  that  to  which  they  are 
inseparably  wedded,  they  rove  abroad  with  incessant  ac- 
tivity, until  their  wants  are  gratified,  when,  hid  from 
sight,  they  again  relapse  into  that  indolence  which  seems 
a  relief  to  their  exertions. 


♦  AuDUBoy.     Orii.  Biog.  i.  p.  ISO. 

t  Cock  nf  the  Rock  of  I'eru,  which  ia  also  somewhat  related,  apparently,  to  the  Par- 
rotj 


i 


T 


ifluence  the  visits 
[1,  ciiampaign,  or 
strangers,  tiiough 
termediate  water- 

eriod  of  propaga- 
isfactorily  inforin- 
ake  little,  if  any 
)llow   in  which  to 

Several  females 
c  number  laid  by 
icarly  round,  and 

at  nil  times,  par- 
res,  in  the  hollow 
iiunity,  and  enter 
:limb.  'I'hey  are 
tree,  holding  fast 
ollows  they  often 
itm  or  inclement 
G  in  indolent  and 
c  Peruvian  caves, 
t  the  calls  of  liun- 
srity  ot  their  aeri- 
;;aming  sunshine, 
d  in  green  aud 
veil  as  their  man- 
lurance  ;  and  shy 
to  which  they  are 
vith  incessant  ac- 

when,  hid  from 
mce  which  seems 


d,  apparently,  to  the  Par- 


CAROLINA  PARROT. 


549 


The  Carolina  Parrot  is  re:.dily  tamed,  and  early  shows 
an  attachment  to  those  around  who  bestow  any  attention 
on  its  wants  ;  it  soon  learns  to  recollect  its  name,  and  to 
answer  and  come  when  called  on.     It  does  not,  however 
evince    much,    if  any    capacity,    for   mimicking   human 
speech,  or  sounds  of  any  kind  ;    and,  as   a  domestic,  is 
very   peaceable  and    rather   taciturn.      It    is    extremely 
fond  of  nuts  and  almonds,  and  may  be  supported  on  the  veg- 
etable food  usually  given  to  other  species.     One  which  I 
saw   at  Tuscaloosa,   a  week  after   being  disabled  in  the 
wing,  seemed  perfectly  reconciled  to  its  domestic   condi- 
tion ;  and  as  the  weather  was  rather  cold,  it  remained  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  in  the  house,  climbing   up  the 
sides  of  the  wire  fender  to  enjoy  the  warmth  of  the  fire. 
I  was  informed,  that  when  first  caught  it  scaled   the  side 
of  the  room,  at  night,  and  roosted  in   a  hanging  posture 
by  the  bill  and  claws  ;   but  finding  the  labor  difficult  and 
fruitless,   having  no  companion  near   which  to  nestle,  it 
soon  submitted  to  pass  the  night  on  the  back  of  a  chair. 

When  placed  in  a  cage  out  of  doors,  in  a  suitable  situ- 
ation, the  call  of  ♦': '  prisoner  instantly  awakens  the  sym- 
pathy of  the  passi.:^-  .''o' '  s,  wlio  from  the  neighbouring 
trees  sometimes  enter  i  ^(.communion  with  their  disabled 
or  detained  companion.  A  caged  bird,  as  with  some 
of  the  other  species,  and  particularly  the  '  in^'^i.^-able,'  is 
extremely  pleased  with  the  society  of  a  companio:,,  and 
they  are  observed  to  roost  side  by  si  Ic,  -veji  tltustiK'tf 
their  heads,  at  such  times,  into  the  pi  "v  .ga  oC  each 
other,  and  thus,  by  a  variety  of  dcliv.- :.e  attentions, 
succeed  in  ameliorating  the  misfortunes  of  confinement 
and  unnatural  restraint.  Even  her  own  image  in  a  look- 
ing-glass often  seems  to  diminish  the  weariness  of  soli- 
tude, and  by  the  side  of  this  pleasing  phantom,  the  Parrot 
or  the  Canary  sinks  satisfied  to  repose. 


600  ZYGODACTYLI. 

This  species  is  about  13  inches  long ;  and  91  in  alar  dimensions. 
The  forehead  and  ciieelis  are  orniigc-red  ;  the  rest  of  the  head  and 
neck  of  a  ricii  yellow  ;  shoulder  and  bend  of  the  wing  edged  with  or- 
anire-red.  Al)ove  bright  yellowish  glossy  green,  with  bluish  reflec- 
tions, diluted  with  yellow  below ;  interior  webs  of  the  priniaries 
dusky-purple,  exterior  ones  bluish-green.  TaU  long  and  graduated, 
llie  exterior  feathers  only  half  the  length  of  the  middle  ones;  siiafls 
of  all  the  quills  black.  Knees  and  vent  orange.  Feet  a  pale  whitish 
flesh-color  ;  claws  black.  Bill  white ,'^sliglitly  tinted  with  cream- 
color.  Iris  hazel.  In  the  young  birds  the  head  and  neck  is  wholly 
green,  except  the  front  and  cheeks,  which  are  orange,  as  in  the  adults. 

Though  tough,  like  the  Pigeon,  the  flesh  of  this  Parrot  is  oom- 

nionly  eaten  in  the  Southern  States,  but,  from  my  own  experience,  I 
cannot  consider  it  as  very  palatable.  The  brains  and  intestines  have 
likewise  been  said  to  b"  a  poison  to  cats,  though  apparently  witliout 
any  foundation,  according  to  the  experiment  of  Wilson, 


COCCYZUS.     (American  Cuckoo.) 

The  BILL  rather  robust,  long,  compressed  the  whole  length,  cari- 
nated,  entire,  with  both  mandibles  gently  curved  from  the  base  and 
reflected  at  the  points,  the  upper  somewhat  longer.  Nostrils 
basal,  lateral,  oval,  half  closed  by  a  naked  membrane.  Tongui: 
short,  narrow,  acute.  Feet  slender  ;  tarsus  naked,  robust,  longer 
or  only  about  the  length  of  the  longest  toe,  the  2  anterior  toes  united 
at  the  hose  ;  nails  short  and  but  little  curved.—  IHngs  rather  short; 
spurious  feather  short,  3d  and  4th  primaries  longest.  Tail  moderate 
or  long,  not  emarginated,  consisting  of  10  feathers. 

These  birds  inhabit  tlie  wanner  parts  of , both  continents,  though 
there  are  none  in  Europe  ;  two  or  three  species  inhabit  the  United 
States  during  summer.  They  replace  here  the  true  Cuckoos  of  the 
old  continent,  from  which  they  scaioely  at  all  difl'er  except  in  habit. 
They  build,  however,^'cner(t//(/,anest  in  tall  thickets,  trees,  or  hollow 
trunks,  and  breed  up  their  young.  They  usually  reside  in  forests  or 
orchards,  are  shy,  and  fond  of  solitude,  hiding  and  crouching  beneath 
the  shady  branches,  and  seldom  if  ever  alight  on  the  ground.  They 
feed  on  insects  and  berries,  particulaily  on  the  hairy  caterpillars  re- 
jected by  other  birds,  in  the  digestion  of  which  they  are  assisted  by 
disgorging  at  intervals  the  roughened  skins ;  they  are  also  exceeding- 
ly greedy  of  the  eggs  of  other  birds.  They  moult  once  a  year,  and 
there  is  but  little  difference  in  plumage  between  the  sexes,  or  be- 
tween the  old  and  tlie  young  ;  tlie  female  is,  however,  somewhat  larger. 


^mm» 


jatstUsJA^miivim^     • 


i 


I  in  alar  dimenaions. 
rest  uf  tlie  head  and 
e  wiiijr  edged  with  or- 
•n,  with  biuiBh  roflec- 
,-eb8  of  tilt*  priiimrieB 
■1  long  and  graduated, 
,e  middle  ones;  Hlialls 
i.  Feet  a  pale  whitish 
y  tinted  with  creani- 
ad  and  necli  is  wholly 
range,  an  in  the  adults. 
)f  this  Parrot  is  ooin- 
iny  own  experience,  I 
ns  and  intestines  have 
rh  apparently  witljout 
if  Wilson. 

Cuckoo.) 

lie  whole  length,  cari- 
ved  from  the  base  and 
at  longer.  Nostrils 
membrane.  Tokgui 
naked,  robust,  longer 
s  2  anterior  toes  united 
—  H'ings  rather  short ; 
imgest.  Tail  moderate 
hers. 

loth  continents,  though 
iciea  inhabit  the  United 
le  true  Cuckoos  of  the 
1  diifer  except  in  habit, 
lickets,  trees,  or  hollow 
ally  reside  in  forests  or 
and  crouching  beneath 
;  on  the  ground.  They 
le  hairy  caterpillars  re- 
ich  they  are  asHisted  by 
they  are  aiao  exceeding- 
inoult  omse  a  year,  mnd 
ireen  the  sexes,  or  be- 
ve ver,  somewhat  larger. 


YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO,  OB    HAIN-CUOW.  651 

§1.   Tartus  about  the  lent'  '    the  longest  toe,  knees  feathered. 
YELLOW-BILLED  CLoKOO,  on  RAIN-CROW. 

(Coccijzits  amrricanut,  Bonap.  Audubow,  pi.  2.  Orn.  i.  p.  18. 
Cuculm  earolinensis,  Wilson,  iv.  p.  13.  pi.  2a.  fig.  1.  C.  ameri 
eanus,  L.    I'liil.  Museum,  No.  1778.) 

Sp.  Charact.  — Dark  greyish-brown  with  bronzy  reflections ;  be- 
neath  white ;  inner  vanes  of  Die  primaries  reddish  cinnamon- 
color ;  the  lower  mandible  yellow. 

TuK  American  Cuckoo  arrives  in  the  Middle  and  cold- 
er States  of  the  Union   about  tlio  close  of  April  or  the 
first  week  of  May,  but  is  scarcely  known  to  the  north  of 
Massachusetts.     They  probably  winter   in    Mexico,    and 
some  pass  no  farther  than  the  forests  of  Louisiana.*    La- 
tham speaks  of  this  species,  also,  as  an  inhabitant  of  the 
tropical  island  of  Jamaica.     It  delights  in  the  shady  re- 
tirement of  the  forest,  ar..     is   equally   common   in  tall 
thickets   and  orchards,   where,  like   a  pir.-aical   prowler, 
it  skulks  and  hides  among  the  thickest    boughs  ;  and  al- 
though,  unlike  the  European  Cuckoo,  they  are  faithfully 
paired,  yet  tiie  pair  arc  seldom  seen  in  the  same  tree   but 
shy  and  watchful,   endeavour  to  elude  every  thing  like 
close   observation.     The  male,   however,    frequently  be- 
trays his  snug  retreat  by  his   monotonous   and  guttural 
kow  Icow  koto  kdw,  or  koo  koo  kou  koo,  and  ko  kiik,  ko  kuk 
koo  koo  koo  kuk,  koo  ko  koo,  koo  ko  koo,  uttered  rather  low 
and  plaintively,  like  the  call  of  the  Dove.  At  other  times, 
the  kmc  kow  kow,  and  Hk  'tk  'tk  'tk  'tak,  or  'kh  'kh  'kh  'kh 
'kah  kow  kow  kow  kow,  beginning  slow,  rises,  and  becomes 
so  quick  as   almost  to  resemble  the  grating  of  a  watch- 
man's rattle,  or  else,  commencing  with  this  call,   termi- 
nates in  the  distant  cry  of  kow  kow  kow.   From  this  note 
supposed  to  be  most  clamorous  at  the  approach  of  rain. 


•  Adodbor,  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  19. 


i 


K*'(S-.;»A&ii;ftS«a*^459(}vfet(f?ii^^  :: .;): 


fifia 


ZYCIODACTTLI. 


it  has  received,  in  Virginia  nnd  other  ^tat'  tlto  name  of 
Rnin-Crow,  and  also  Kmc-liird.  A.  viti  s  scnsons, 
durin<r  the  continuanre  of  warm  weather,  tlo  vigil  knw 
1c6w  kdw  kotr  nf  the  faithful  mnio  is  uttcrc  .1  for  houri, 
at  intervals,  throughout  the  night  I  lie  same  notes, 
but  delivered  in  a  slower  and  rather  tender  strain,  wre 
given  with  groat  regularity  likewico  in  the  day  as  long 
as  the  period  of  incuhation  continuen.  Ho  often  Rfeat'- 
fastly  watcher  nny  approach  to  the  nest,  o'oiog  ) 
casionally  to  assure  himself  that  it  is  unmoles'  d  ;  and, 
at  times,  he  may  he  ohserved  darting  even  at  the  dor- 
mant bat,  who  accidentally  -ecka  repose  beneath  the 
shady  leaves  of  some  contiguous  tree,  so  tiiat  he  is  no  less 
vigilant  in  seeking  the  security  of  his  own  progeu) ,  than 
in  piratically  robbing  the  nests  of  his  neighbour  i'l  ■^" 
are  two  or  three  other  species  in  Jamaica  and  other  p 
of  troj  ical  America,  possessing  a  note  very  similar 
that  of  our  bird,  wiiich  also  frequently  approach(  m,  when 
delivei  -d  in  the  plaintive  mood,  koo  koo,  and  koo  koo  ,\oo, 
the  ust  \l  sound  of  the  European  Cuckoo.  There  is  a 
Mexica  1  species  {Cuiulus  ridihundus)  which  so  simu- 
lates laugliter,  as  to  have  awakened  tlie  superstition  of 
the  natives,  by  whom  it  is  consequently  hated  as  a  mes- 
senger of  misfortune,  whose  accidental  note  of  sardon- 
ic risibility,  is  construed  into  an  ominous  delight  in 
misery. 

The  whole  tribe  of  Cuckoos  a'o  in  disgrace  for  the  un- 
natural conduct  of  the  European  and  pome  other  foreign 
species,  who,  making  no  nest.'',  nor  engaging  in  conjugal 
cares,  parasitically  deposit  their  eggs,  one  by  one,  in  the 
nests  of  other,  small  birds,  to  whom  the  care  of  rearing 
the  vagrant  foundling  is  uniformly  consigned.  This 
whitish  and  darkly  spotted  egg,  so  different  from  that  of 
our  dubious  species,  is  supposed  to  be  conveyed  into  sev- 


^^^ 


tal'      tlio  name  of 

vut  s  sen  sons, 
icr,  tl  o  vigil  Icow 
itter(<l  for  hour^, 
The  Hamo  notes, 
erider     inin,   are 

the  day    ah  long 

li     oft<  n  Htcad- 

st,         ii!  it      i- 

uniiii  i  ;  and, 

even  at  the  dor- 
}o.se  beneath  t)>c 
I  that  he  is  no  less 
\vn  progein  ,  than 
2ighbour:  I'ti  " 
;a  and  other  pn 
e  very  similar 
approachc'M,  when 
,  and  kno  koo  kou, 
koii.     There  is  a 

which  Ko  simu- 
lie  superstition  of 
\l  hated  as  a  mes- 
al  note  of  sardon- 
linous   delight   in 

igrace  for  the  un- 
■)me  other  foreign 
aging  in  conjugal 
me  by  one,  in  the 
e  care  of  rearing 
ionsigned.  This 
crent  from  that  of 
lonveyed  into  sev- 


[>- 
until 
rish ! 


M* 


YEI-LOW     iin,LF.n  .         KOO,  OR  RAIN-CHOW. 

eral  of  the  nent  where  it  is  found,  in  some  way  or  oth< ,, 
ifter  beinglaici,  ,ur  in  no  o. her  manner  could  it  be  depos- 
ited in  th(  .  losed  neat  of  the  Common  Wren,  or  that  of 
the  Ch.H-<  W*  ail  '  otli-r  small  kinds.  Th<!  piratic  habit 
gov  nsthe  Cuckoo  irom  its  very  birth,  and  the  deceived 
foster-parent,  I)y  her  kindness,  has  brought  out,  in  the 
ruthlt'ss  foundling,  the  dragon  of  her  own  o  )riiig,  every 
one  of  Ihem  being  instinctively  thrown  out  of  the  n  t  to 
die  by  this  intruder  on  nature's  benevolence, 
sivo,  imlced,  is  this  assumption  of  usurped  c  xisl- 
when  two  Cuckoos  have  been  hatched  (as  some 
pens)  in  the  same  nest,  a  continual  contest  en 
thf  stronger  .jectcd  the  weaker,  and  exposed  ii 
We  El  Idf  r  at  the  instinctive  expression  of  so  iiuch  de- 
liberate treachery  in  nature,  of  a  still  deeper  cast  than 
that  which  -iresides  over  the  birth  of  our  Cow-Bunting, 
for  here  i  )posititiou8  charge   comes  into  life   before 

the  hatcl  the  other  eggs  of  the  nurse,  and  though 

the  genuine  !;rood  mostly  perish,  as  soon  as  they  appear, 
the  foundling  exhibits  no  hostility  towards  them.  But 
where  we  cannot  follow  nor  explain  the  decrees  of  crea- 
tion, we  must  bow  in  reverence  to  those  necessary  and  in- 
scrutable laws  which  govern  the  universe  in  wisdom. 

From  reflections  so  appalling,  on  the  birth  of  the 
foreign  Cuckoo,  we  may  turn  witii  satisfaction  to  the  con- 
jugal history  of  our  present  subject,  which,  early  in  May, 
or  soon  after  its  arrival,  may  be,  at  times,  observed  obsti- 
nately engaged  in  the  quarrels  of  selective  attachment. 
The  dispute  being  settled,  the  nest  is  commenced  and 
usually  fixed  either  in  the  horizontal  branches  of  an  ap- 
ple tree,  or  in  a  thicket,  a  thorn  bush,  rab,  cedar,  or 
other  small  tree  in  some  retired  part  of  the  woods.     The 


*  Sylvia  hyfolais. 


47 


a®«te**":SiS^ 


6A4 


ZTOODACTYM. 


fabric  is  usually  very  slovenly  nnd  hnstily  put  together, 
and  possesses  scarcely  any  coiiciivity  fur  the  reception  of 
the    )'>uni(,   who,  in  consequence,  often  full  out  of  their 
uncomfortable   cradle.     The   nest  is  a  more   flooring  of 
twigs  put  to;^etlior  in  a  zig-zag   form,  then  blended   with 
green  weeds  or  lcav<  s,  and  witheri'd  blosHoms  of  the  ma- 
ple, apple,  or  hickoi  .  catkins.     A  nest  near  the  Uotanic 
Garden   had,  besides  twigs,  fragments  of  bass-mat,  and 
was  now   very  uncomfortably   heated  and  damp  with  the 
fermentation  of  the  green  tops  of  a  species   of  maple  in- 
troduced  into  it,   and  tlie    whole   swarmed  witli  Thrush- 
lice  or   Millipedes.     The   eggs,  usually  2  to  4,  are  of  a 
bluish-green  color,  often   pale,  varying  in  the  shade,  and 
without  spots  ;  they  are  somewhat  round  and  rather  large. 
If  they  are  handled  botV/ii!  the  commencement  of  incuba- 
tion, the  owner  g''ncrally  fovsakes   the  nest,  but  is   very 
tenacious  and  aflectionate  towards  her  young,  and  sits  so 
close,  as  almost  to  allow  of  being  taken  off  by  the  hand. 
She  then  frecpiently   precipitates   herself  to  the  ground 
fluttering,  tumbling,  and  feigning  lameness  in  the  man- 
ner of  many  other  alfectionate  and  artful  birds,  to  draw 
the  intruder  away  from  the   premises   of  her  brood.     At 
such  times,   the  mother  also  adds  to  the  contrivance,  by 
uttering    most    uncouth      nd    almost    alarming    guttural 
sounds,  like  qua  qiidh  ffwaih,  as  if  choaking,  as  she  runs 
along  the  ground.     While   the  female  is  thus  dutifully 
engaged  in  sitting  on  her  charge,  the  male   takes  his  sta- 
tion at  no  great  distance,  and   gives  alarm  by  his  notes, 
at  the  approach  of  any  intruder  ;  and  when  the  young  are 
hatched,  both   unite  in  the  labor  of  providing  them  with 
food,  which,  like  their  own,  consists  chiefly  of  the  hairy 
caterpillars,  rejected  by  other  birds,   that  so  commonly 
infest   the  apple  trees,  and  live    in  communities  within  a 
common  silky  web.     They  also  devour  the  large   yellow 


*tily  put  together, 
)r  the  reception  of 
n  full  out  ol'  their 

incro  flooring  of 
hen  l)lended  with 
ossoniH  of  the  mn- 

neiir  the  Botanic 

of  btiHs-mnt,  and 
lid  dump  with  the 
cies  of  Hinple  in- 
mcd  with  Thrush- 
^  2  to  4,   lire  of  a 

in  tiie  shade,  and 
i  and  ratiicr  large, 
cement  of  inciiba- 

nest,  but  is  very 
young,  and  sits  so 
n  olT  by  the  hand, 
elf  to  the  ground 
sness  in  the  man- 
tfiii  birds,  to  draw 
jf  licr  brood.  At 
he  contrivance,  by 
ahirmiiig  guttural 
aking,  as  she  runa 
!  i.s  thus  dutifully 
nale  takes  his  sta- 
arni  by  his  notes, 
'hen  the  young  are 
roviding  them  with 
chiefly  of  the  hairy 
that  so  commonly 
nmunities  within  a 
r  the  largo   yellow 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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PhotDgrapbc 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WBST  MAIN  STREET 

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(716)  872-4503 


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A^ 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historlques 


\^ 


^] 


YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO,  OR  RAIN-CROW. 


555 


cock-chaffer*,  Cnrnhi,  and  other  kinds  of  insects,  as  well 
as  \arious  sorts  of  berries;    but  their   worst  propensity 
is  the  parasitic  habit  of  sucking  the  eggs  of  otiicr  birds, 
thus  spreading  ruin  and  dismay  wherever  they  approach. 
They  hatch    several   broods    in   a  season,   and    I    have 
seen  a  nest  with  eggs  in  it  as  late  as  the  '28th  of  August ! 
though   tliey  usually  take  their  departure  in  some  part  of 
the  month  of  September.     Considering  the  time  they  are  ^ 
engaged  in  breeding,  they  raise  but  few  young,  appearing 
to  be  improvident   nurses,  and  bad   nest-makers,  so  that 
a   consideral)le    part    of  their  progeny  arc  either    never 
hatched,  or  perish  soon  after  ;  a  fortunate  balance  to  check 
the    increase   of  their   numbers,    and   circumscribe  the 
otherwise   evil  of  their  existence.      They  are  greatly  at- 
tached to   places    where  small  birds  resort,  for  the  sake 
of  sucking  their   eggs  ;   and   I  have  found  it  difficult  at 
times  to  eject  them,  as    when  their  nests   are   robbed, 
without  much  concern,  they  commence  again  in  the  same 
vicinity,  but   adding  caution  to  their  operations,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  persecution   they  meet  with  ;   in  this   way, 
instead  of  their  exposing  the  nest  in  some  low  bush,  I  have, 
with   difficulty,  met  with  one,  at  last,  in  a  tall  larch  more 
than  50  feet  from  the  ground.     When  wholly  routed,  the 
male  kept  up   a  mournful  kow  koio  kow   for  several  days, 
appearing   now  sensible  by  experience   of  the  misery  of 
his  own  predatory  practices. 

Careless  in  providing  comfort  for  their  progeny,  the 
American  Cuckoo,  like  that  of  Europe,  seems,  at  times, 
inclined  to  throw  the  charge  of  her  offspring  on  other 
birds.  Approaching  to  tiiis  habit,  I  have  found  an 
egg  of  the  Cuckoo  in  the  nest  of  a  Cat-Bird  ;  yet,  though 
the  habitation  had  been  usurped,  the  intruder  prob- 
ably intended  to  hatch  her  own  eggs.     At  another  time, 


*  Mcivlontha  lanigi.ra 


t|t»1 


'^ 


,i   I 


U  ,v  . 


666 


ZYOODACTYLI. 


on  the  15th  of  June  (1830),  I  saw  a  Robin's  nest  with 
2  eggs  in  it,  indented  and  penetrated  by  the  bill  of  a  bird, 
and  the  egg  of  a  Cuckoo  deposited  in  the  same  nest. 
Both  birds  forsook  the  premises,  so  that  the  object  of  this 
forcible  entry  was  not  ascertained  ;  though  the  mere  ap- 
propriation of  the  nest  would  seem  to  have  been  the  in- 
tention of  the  Cuckoo. 

This  species  is  about  12  inches  long;  and  10  in  alar  extent.  Above 
dark  greyish-brown  with  greenish  and  yellowish  silky  reflections.  Tail 
long,  the  2  middle  feathers  of  the  color  of  the  buck  ;  the  others  dusky 
gradually  shortening  to  the  outer  ones,  with  large  white  tips  ;  the 
two  outer  scarcely  half  the  length  of  the  middle  ones.  Below  white; 
the  feathers  of  the  thighs  large,  and  hiding  the  knees  us  in  the 
Hawks.  Legs  and  feet  pale  greyish-blue.  Iris  hazel,  eyelids  yel- 
low or  black.  Lower  part  of  the  upper  mandible  also  yellow.  Inner 
coat  of  the  stomach  villous  —In  the  female,  which  is  larger,  the  4 
middle  tail-feathers  are  V:  I  hout  white  spots. 


ST.  DOMINGO  CUCKOO. 

{Coccyzus  doTiinicus,  Nobis.     Cueulus  dtmiinicus,  Lin.    Black-billed 

Ouckoo.     C.  cTythrophthahnus,  Wilson,  iv.  p.  IC  pi.  28,  lig.  S. 

Audubon,  pi.  32.   Orn  i.  p.  irO.     Phi'    '  luseum,  No.  1854.) 
Sp.  Charact.— Dark  greyish-brown  ■,  iint  bronzy  reflections ; 

beneath  white,  inclining  to  cinereous     '   -he  throat  and  breast ; 

inner  vanes  of  the  primaries  partly  yellowish-white  ;  bill  black ; 

a  naked  red  space  round  the  eye. 

This  species,  so  nearly  related  to  the  preceding,  is  also 
equally  common,  throughout  the  United  States  in  sum- 
mer, and  extend.s  its  migrations  about  as  far  as  the  line  of 
New  Hampshire.  This  kind  jalso  exists  in  the  island  of 
St.  Domingo  and  Guiana,  and  those  who  visit  us  probably 
retire  to  pass  the  winter  in  the  nearest  parts  of  tropical 
America.  They  arrive  in  Massachusetts  later  than  the 
Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  and  the  first  brood  are  hatched 
here  about  the  4th  of  June.  In  Georgia  they  begin  to  lay 
towards  the  close  of  April.  Their  food,  like  that  of  the  pre- 


^>«&tM> 


'.Mitf^Wimltimiiiki 


\ 


ST.  DOW   'cro  aircKOO. 


657 


)in's  nest  with 
e  bill  of  a  bird, 
he  same  nest, 
le  object  of  this 
h  tlie  mc3re  ap- 
fti  been  the  iu- 

ilar  extent.  Aboye 
ly  reflections.  Tail 
;  the  otliers  dusky 
3  white  tips ;  the 
les.  Below  white; 
e  knees  us  in  the 
hazel,  eyelids  yel- 
Jso  yellow.  Inner 
ich  is  larger,  the  4 


Lin.  Black-billed 
p.  iC  pi.  28.  tig.  S. 
ini,  No.  1854.) 

bronzy  reflectionaj 
throat  and  breast ; 
■white  ;  bill  black ; 

eceJing,  is  also 
States  In  sum- 
far  as  the  line  of 
in  the  island  of 
'isit  us  probably 
)arts  of  tropical 
later   than   the 
ad  are   hatched 
hey  begin  to  lay 
e  that  of  the  pre- 


i 


ceding,  also  consists  of  hairy  caterpillars,  beetles,  and 
other  insects,  and  even  minute  shell-fish.  They  also, 
like  many  birds  of  other  orders,  swallow  gravel  to  assist 
digestion. 

They   usually  retire   into  the  woods  to   breed,   bring 
less  familiar  than  the  former,  choosing  an  evergreen  hush 
or  sappling  for  the  site   of  the  nest,   which   is  made  of 
twigs,  pretty  well  put  together,  but  still  little  more  than 
a  concave  flooring,  and  lined  with  moss  occasionally,  and 
withered  catkins  of  tiie  hickory.     The  eggs  are  smaller, 
and  3  to  5  in   number,  of  a  bluish-green.     The   female 
sits   very  close   on  the   nest,  admitting  a   near  approach 
before  flying  ;  the  young,  before  acquiring  their  feathers, 
are  of  an  uniforin  bright  greyish-blue  ;  at  a  little  distance 
from  the  nest  the  male  keeps  up  the  usual  rattling  call  of 
hoio  kow  h)w  koto,  the  note  increasing  in  loudness  and  quick- 
ness ;    sometimes  the  call  seems  like  kk'  kW  kh'  kh'  'kh 
'kah,  the  notes  growing  louder  and  running  together  like 
those  of  the  Yellow-winged  Woodpecker.     This  .species 
has  al.so,  before  rain,  a  peculiar  call,  in  a  raucous  guttural 
voice   like  orrattutoo,  or  worrnttotoo.     This   species  is 
less  timorous  than  the  Yellow-billed  kind,  and  near  the 
nest  with  young,   I  have   observed  the  parent  compos- 
edly sit  and  plume  itself  for  a  considerable  t.me  without 
showing  any   alarm  at  my  presence.     This  bird   is   also 
equally  addicted  to  the  practice  of  sucking   bird.s'  eggs. 
Indeed,  one  which  I  saw  last  summer,  kept  up  for  h^urs 
a  constant  watch    after  the   eggs  of  a  Robin  sitting  in 
an  apple  tree,  who  with  her   mate,  kept  up  a  running 
fight  with  the  Cuckoo  for  two  days  in  succession. 

The  Black-billed  species  is  about  124  inches  long.  The  2  central 
tail-feathers  unspotted,  the  white  terminal  spots  on  the  rest  smaller 
and  bordered  with  dusky.  Inner  lining,  and  inner  webs  of  the  wing 
quills,  of  a  delicate  cream-color.  Wings  pointed,  the  1st  prim.iry 
very  short,  the  2d  a  little  more  than  J  on  inch  shorter  than  the  3d 


|{58  ZYOODACTTLI. 

which  is  scarcely  longer  thnn  the  4th  ;  the  re»t  of  the  quilU  ore  again, 
beyond  the  4tli,  all  regularly  graduated  to  the  secondaries  ;  there  is 
a  strong  tinge  of  ciiinauioa-browu  edging  about  the  centre  of  the 
wing,  and  on  the  anterior  edges  of  the  larger  coverts.  Bill  bluish- 
black,  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible  and  ridge  paler.  Feet  and  legs 
dusky-bluish,  the  former  very  short,  and  hidden  with  feathers  which 
■urround  the  knee.  The  naked  dull  vc-rniilion  spot  around  the  eye 
is  very  characteristic  ;  it  is  also  attributed  to  the  C.  vf.tuta  or  Long- 
billed  Rain  Cuckoo  by  l.innmus,  tlinugh  not  given  at  all  in  BufFon's 
figu.e.  In  fact,  the  specific  definition  of  Vctiila  applies  wholly  to 
oc  bird,  and  may  be  it  instead  of  the  species  quoted  under  this  name 
by  LaUiau).  Although  there  appears  to  be  a  diffeidnce  in  the  meas- 
urement of  our  bird  from  the  C.  dominkus  of  authors,  BufFon  gives 
it  nearly  12  inches,  and  Brisson  saw  a  specimen  from  Louisiana 
which  could  be  no  other  than  tlie  present ;  from  his  figure,  however, 
no  conclusion  can  be  drawn  on  the  subject. 


§  II.  Tarsus  longer  than  the  toes,  and  the  knees  naked. 
+  MANGROVE     CUCKOO. 

(Coecyzus  Senindns,  Nobis.  Cuculus  Scniculns,  Lath.  Index  i. 
p.  219.  No.  38.  iBin.  Synops,  ii.  p.  SW.  No.  'M.  Buffon,  pi. 
Enlum.  81.3.) 

Sp.  Ciiaract.  —  Cinereous-olive  ;  throat  white,  body  below  pale-ru- 
fous ;  lower  mandible  yellowish-white. 

This  -species,  said  principally  to  inhabit  Cayenne,  oc- 
casionally visits  the  Southernmost  States.  Like  the  pre- 
ceding, it  lives  upon  insects,  and  is  particularly  fond  of 
the  large  caterpillars  which  prey  upon  the  leaves  of  the 
Mangrove,  and  in  the  dense  forests  of  which  it  conse- 
quenlly  takes  up  its  principal  residence.  This  species  I 
have  never  seen,  and  introduce  it  only  on  the  authority 
of  Vicillot.  It  is  said  to  resemble  the  Rain-Bird  of  Ja- 
maica {Cornjzus  vttula)  in  almost  every  thing  but  size, 
being  only  about  12  inches  long.  The  bill,  light-colored 
below,  is  about  13  lines  long  (French  measure),  arfd  the 
tarsus' 12.     The  tail  is  about  6  inches  long,  with  the  two 


in*  r"  iiw  ■itmaiimm-hmr»*<uni'i^'m«it3pm-^  ■ 


1 


quills  are  again, 
laries ;  there  ia 
J  centre  of  the 
ta.  Bill  bluish- 
.  Feet  and  legs 
I  feathers  which 
around  the  eye 
rfitala  or  Long- 
it  all  in  Buffon's 
[>plies  wholly  to 
under  this  nnme 
nee  in  the  meoa- 
rs,  Buffon  givea 
from  Louisiana 
figure,  however. 


■s  naked. 

LiATH.     Index  i. 

'M.      BuKFON,  pi. 

ly  below  pale-ru- 

;  Cayenne,  oc- 
Like  the  pre- 
ularly  fond  of 
!  leaves  of  the 
hich  it  conse- 
This  species  I 
the  authority 
in-Bird  of  Ja- 
hing  hut  size, 
1,  light-colored 
isure),  arfd  the 
r,  with  the  two 


AVOODI'ECKERS. 


650 


middle  feathers  not  spotted  at  the  extremity,  as  are  the 
rest.  The  hill  is  stouter  and  higher  at  the  hase  appar- 
ently than  in  our  common  kinds.  The  nakedness  and 
superior  length  of  tiin  tarsus,  so  diffcront  from  the  two 
preceding  species,  appears  to  have  afforded  an  exclusive 
unmodified  generic  trait  to  the  founder  of  the  genus, 
which  we  have  endeavoured  to  remedy  by  sectional  divi- 
sions. The  definition  of  C  vetu/a  hy  Linnmus,  "be- 
neath testaceous,  above  brownish,  with  nd  eyebrows," 
induced  Mr.  Abbot,  on  the  authority  of  Latham,*  to  quote 
the  vetiila  as  an  inhabitant  of  Georgia  (our  C  domini- 
cus) ;  and  there  is  little  doubt  but  Linnauis  described  from 
this  species,  so  wholly  dilTcrent  from  that  assumed  as 
such  by  Latham  (the  Tnrco),  which  lias  never  yet  oeen 
seen  within  the  boundaries  of  the  United  States.  If  the 
synonyme  of  Linnasus  had  not  been  so  embroiled  by 
Latham,  we  should  not  have  hesitated  to  give  the  name 
ofvetula  to  Wilson's  C.  trythrophthnlma. 


2d.  Family.  (S.voittili.vgues.  Illiger.  Bonap.) 
In  these  the  Bii.r,  is  generally  long,  straight,  conic,  and  edged. 
ThcTONfiUE  ia  also  extremely  long,  capable  of  great  extension,  sharp 
and  rigid  at  the  point,  and  armed  at  the  edges  wifli  stiff  reverse'l 
bristles.  The  4  toes  are  always  disposed  in  opposite  pairs,  2  before 
and  2  behind  ;  rarely  there  exists  but  a  single  hind  too. 


PICUS.  Lin.  (Woodpeckers.) 
The  BiLt.  long,  or  moderate,  usually  straight,  pyramidnl,  compress- 
ed, cuneate,  and  edged  like  scissars  towards  the  point ;  above,  in  gen- 
eral, straightly  carinated.  Nostrils  basal,  oval,  open,  though  part- 
ly hidden  by  the  ad/ancing  bristly  featliers  of  the  face.  Feet  short 
and  robust,  suited  for  climbing;  hind  toes  divided  ;  the  outer  inca- 
pable of  being  reversed,  the  inner  toe  minute  or  rarely  wanting ;  the 
two  anterior  ones  united  at  the  laae.     Wings,  moderate  in  length, 

•  Suppl.vol.  ii.  p.  135.  No.  5. 


M\ 


560 


ZYOODACTYLI. 


the  l.t  primary  very  diort,  the  2d  of  nuddUng  length  and  the  3d  and 
4lh  longest.  r«i/ cuneiform,  of  12  feather.,  the  ^  lateral  being  very 
,hort  or  wholly  wanting,  the  BhalVs  strong  and  ela.tic.-lhe 
female  resen.bU-s  the  .uale,  though  readily  distingu.sliable.  ihe 
younL'  gonietinies  considerably  differf  nt. 

These  unmuHical,  coarse,  robust,  and  laborious  birds  dwell  gener- 
ally in  the  solitude  of  the  Ibrest,  are  usually  ofo  shy,  susp.c.ous,  and 
retirin.r  habit,  and  not  easily  reconciled  to  domestication.     The  pe- 
culiar Ttructure  of  tlieir   feet  and  sharp  nails  enable  them,  by  the  ad- 
diUond  support  of  the  ligid  tail,  to  ascend  the  trunks  of  trees  and 
branches  with  singular  address  and  celerity,  either  in  straigiit  or  spi- 
ral lines.     They  feed  principally  upon  the  larvm  of  those  insect, 
which  perforate  the  wood  <.f  trees,  and  are  consequently  extremely 
useful  scavengers  to  the  public,  and  well  deserve   tiie.r  protection. 
Some  also  collect  ants  and  other  kinds  of  insects  ;  and  in  the  winter, 
as  well  ns  the  summer,  they  also  add  various  kinds  of  wild  berries  to 
their  fare,     'liieir  operations  are  carried  on  cliiefly  in  dead  or  decay- 
ing trees,  which  they  perforate  and  strip  of  the  bark  with   repeated 
■trokes  of  their  powerful  wedged  bills  ;  in  obedience  to  their  habits 
they  are  seldom  seen  on  the   ground.     By  the  acuteness  oi   their 
hearin-r  tiiey  discover  the  lodgment  of  their  prey,  and  seldom  cease 
till  th.^y  have  obtained  it.    Wliile  tlius  employed,  the  silent  woods 
reverberate  the  stridu.ous  echoes  of  their  rapid  and  tremulous  blows  ; 
and  at  len.nh,  darting  their  long,  viscid  tongues  into  the  burrows  of 
Uie  insects",  they  extract  them  with  ease  and  alacrity.     Theirnests 
are  also  made  either  in  the  natural  or  artificial  excavations  of  the 
trunks  of  trees.  They  breed  once  in  the  year,  and  lay  from  3  to  8,  usu- 
ally white  and  spotless,  eggs.     Their  moult  is  simple  or  only  annu- 
al. Species  of  the  genus  are  found  in  almost  every  part  of  the  world. 

Subgenus.  — CoLAPTES.  (Genus  Cola  '.  Stcains.) 
The^BiLi.  long  and  gently  curved,  wedged  at  the  ;  .int,  and  with 
the  under  mandible  not  carinated.  Feet  4.toed.  -  Distantly  allied 
to  the  American  Cuckoos.  Two  other  species  of  this  section,  or  ge- 
nus, inhabit  South  Africa,  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  The  American 
species  prevs  from  preference  on  ants,  in  quest  of  which  it  often  de- 
scends to  the  ground,  as  well  as  perforates  decayed  trees;  they  also 
in  winter  live  much  upon  berries. 


rt>ai*ijiiaiflai«ai'«>*^6**w 


and  the  3d  and 
eral  being  very 
elastic.  —  The 
uiiihable.     The 

d»  dwell  genor- 
Buspicioudi  and 
ition.     The  pe- 
hem,  by  the  ad- 
ikH  of  trees  and 
1  striiiglit  or  spi- 
>f  those   insects 
ently  extremely 
their  protection, 
id  in  the  winter, 
)f  wild  l-erries  to 
n  dead  or  decay- 
It  with   repeated 
:h  to  their  habits 
lUeness  of  their 
,nd  seldom  cease 
tiie  silent  woods 
LremulouM  blows  ; 
,o  the  burrows  of 
:ity.    Their  nests 
[cavations  of  the 
r  from  3  to  8,  usu- 
ple  or  only  annu- 
part  of  the  world. 

na.  Swains.) 

e  1  lint,  and  with 
-  Distantly  allied 
his  section,  or  ge- 
16.  The  American 
which  it  often  de- 
id  trees  ;  they  olso 


FLICKER,  OR  GOLDEN-WINGED  WOODPECKER. 

{Picus  aurtitu.1,  L.  Wilson,  i.  p.  45.  pi.  3.  fig.  1.  [male].     Auduboji, 
pi.  :t7.    Orn.  Diog.  i.  p.   I!)l.     Phil.  Museum,  No.         ) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Umber-brown,  barred  with  black  ;  beneath  yellow- 
ish-white, spotted  with  bluck  :  a  black  crescent  on  the  breast; 
a  crimson  red  crescent  on  the  hind  head  ;  wings  and  tail  beneath, 
and  shafts  of  all  the  larger  feathers,  golden-yellow.  —  The  male 
alone  with  bluck  mustachios. —  Young,  dull  grey,  without  either 
the  red  or  black  crescent. 

This  beatiful  and  well  known  l)ir(l  breeds  and  inhab- 
its throughout  Nortli  America,  from  Labrador  to  Florida, 
being  partially  migratory  only  from  Canada  and  the 
Northern  States,  proceeding  to  the  south  in  October,  and 
returning   north  in  April.     It  has  also  been  observed  on 


mmmm 


mmrymmmmm 


669 


ZVOODACTYLl. 


the  Norlliwi-i^t  Const  of  tho  cntilinpnt,  ns  well  nn   round 
Noolkii   Sound,  and  in   tl.n    inlorior  of  C.inndn,  near  to 
the  remote  lake  of  Winnipiquc.   From  the  groat  numbers 
seen  in  the   Southern  States   in  winter,  it  in   evident  that 
the  principal  part  of  the  .|.ecies  migrate  thither  fron.  the 
North  and  West  to  pai*«  the  inclement  seaf«on,  which  nat- 
urally  deprives   tliem    of  the    means   of   ac(inirinjr  their 
usual  sustenance.      At  this   time  also   they  fee.!  much  on 
winter  berries,  such  as  those  of  the  sumacii,  smilux,  and 
misseltoe.     In   the  Middle  States,  some   of  these  birds 
find   tlie  means  of  support  throuirli  the    most   inclement 
months  of  the  winter.     In   New  Knj,'land,  tlwy  reappear 
about  the  beginning  of  April,  soon  after  which  li.ey  com- 
mence  to  pair   and   build ;    for   this   purpose  they  often 
make   choice  of  the  trunk  of   a  decayed  apple   tree,   at 
different  heights  from  the  ground.     When  an   arcdental 
cavity  is  not  conveniently  found,  confident  in  iIk;  lormid- 
able  means  provided   them   by  nature,  with  no  other  aid 
than  the  bill,  they  have  been  known  to  make  a  winding  bur- 
row through  a  solid  oak  for  15  inches  in  length.    At  this 
labor,  for  the  greater  security  and  privacy,  they  continue 
till  late  in  the  evening,  and  may  be  heard  dealing  blows 
as  loud  and  successive  as  if  aided  by  the  tools  of  the  car- 
penter.    The  eggs,  about  «,  and  pure  white,  are  deposit- 
ed merely  upon   the  fragments  of   wood  which  line   the 
natural  or  artificial   cavity  thus   forming  the  nest.     This 
cell,  before  the  young  are   fledged,  has  a  rank   and  disa- 
greeable  smell  ;   and  on  inserting   the   hand  into  it,  the 
brooc?     )   le  in  producing  a  hissing,  like  so  many  hidden 
snakes.    They  soon  escape  from  this   feted  den  in  which 
they  are  hatched  ;  and,  climbing  into  the  higher  branch- 
es of  the  tree,    are   there   fed  until   able  to  fly.     In  the 
month   of  March,  in  Florida  and   Alabama,   I   observed 
them  already  pairing,  on  which  occasion   many  petulant 


,cll  US   round 
uiidn,  near  to 
rent  iiuiiibors 
ovidcnl  tlint 
llicr  (Vom  tlie 
n,  which  nat- 
c(liiirin)4  their 
Ifcd  much  oil 
I,  Hiniiiix,  and 
f  these   birds 
ost    inclement 
they  reappear 
lich  lliey  com- 
•90  they  often 
^)\)Ui   tree,   at 
iui    areiiiental 
in  the  formid- 
1  no  otiier  aid 
a.  winding  bur- 
Migiii.    At  this 
tiicy  continue 
dealing  blows 
noh  of  the  car- 
te, are  deposit- 
which  line  the 
he  nest.     This 
rank   and  disa- 
nd  into  it,  the 

0  many  hidden 
d  den  in  which 
higher  branch- 

1  to  fly.  In  the 
na,  I   observed 

many  petulant 


ri.lCKr.R,  OR  nOLDEN-WINUED  WOOnPKCK  ER. 


r>03 


quarrels  daily  ensued,  from  a  host  of  rival  suitors,  accom- 
companied  by  their  ordinary  cackling  and  squealing.  Ono 
of  their  n.sual  complaisant  recognitions,  often  delivered 
on  a  fine  morning,  from  the  .sumtnit  of  some  lofiy  <lcad 
limb,  is  'wit  a  'wit  'wit  'wit  'wit  wit  'wit  wrrt,  and  wait 
a  woil,  wait  woil  wnit  wait,  commencing  loud,  and  slow- 
ly rising  and  quickening  till  the  tones  run  together  into 
a  nois(!  almo.st  like  that  of  a  watchman's  rattle.  They 
have  al.^o  a  sort  of  complaining  call,  from  which  they 
have  probably  derived  their  name  of  prr  xlt,  pre  iit ;  and 
at  tinier  a  plaintive  qneiih  qni'nh.  Occasionally  they 
also  utter  in  a  sipiealing  tone,  when  surprised,  or  engag- 
ed in  amusing  rivalry  with  their  fellows,  wec-iogh  wcr- 
c6gh  wer-riifffi,  or  weriup  weecup. 

The  food  of  this  species  varies  with  the  season  ;  they 
arc  at  all  times  exceedingly  fond  of  vvoodlice,  ants,  and 
their  larva; ;  and  as  the  fruits  become  mature,  they  also 
add  to  their  ample  fare,  common  cherries,  bird  cherries, 
winter  grapes,  gum  l)erries,  those  of  the  rcd-ccdar,  as 
well  as  of  the  sumacii,  smilax,*and  other  kinds.  As  the 
maize  too  ripens,  while  yet  in  the  milky  state,  the  Flicker 
pays  frequent  visits  to  the  field,  and  the  farmer,  readily 
forgetful  of  his  past  services,  only  rcnieml)ers  his  present 
faults,  and,  closing  his  career  with  tiiu  gun,  unthinkingly 
does  to  himself  and  the  public  an  essential  injury,  in 
saving  a  few  unimportant  cars  of  corn.  In  this  part  of 
New  England  they  arc  known  by  the  name  of  Pigeon 
Woodpeckers  from  their  general  bulk  and  appearance; 
and,  to  the  disgrace  of  our  paltry  fowlers,  they  are,  in  the 
autumn,  but  too  frequently  seen  exposed  for  sale  in  the 
markets,  though  their  flesh  is  neither  fat  nor  delicate. 
It  is  exceedingly  to  be  regretted  that  ignorance  and  wan- 

*  Particularly  thoie  o{  S.  laurifoUa, 


Mr 


ZVOonACTVLI. 

tonneus,  in  tho«e  particulars,  ithould  be  ho  productive  of 
cruelty,  clovaKtatioii,  uml  injurious  policy,  in  regard  to 
tho  animnlH  with  wI.oho  anuiHing  nnd  useful  company 
nature;  I.um  so  wondiirfully  and  beneficently  favored  uh 

The  kuBll.  of  tlii.  specie,  ii  about  li*  inchef.  the  aUr  extent  20. 
The  bnrk  unci  winjf^  above  are  of  «..  un.l.er-color,  irai.HverHely  barr*d 
Withbbuk;  ll.e  upper  part  of  the  head  inclii.eH  to  cin-renuH  ;  rheekn 
an.l  region  romul  the  eye  ciniiamon-clor.  the  throat  nn.l  .h.n  a  l.Kht- 
Mtint  of  thenanu.;  from  the  h.we.    ...nmlime  a   nlrip  of  l.huk  .le- 
•CcnditiK  to  the  Ihroal;    a  rriinHO,,  .rexceiit  .m  the  hind  head  ;  ildei 
Cf  thf  neck  hh.i»h-«rey  ;  a  bh.ok  broadiHl,  orcHrent  on  the  breast. 
BeU.w   yellowi«h-white,  earl,  fenlher  with  a  dinlinct  round  central 
black  Hpnt,  those  ou  the  tluKhH  and  vent  heart-Blmpcd.  Lower  mde  ol 
the  win«  nud  ti.il.  as  well  as  the  shatYs  of  u.ohI  of  the  larger  feather. 
Kolden-vellow.    Ilu.up  white;  the  tail-roverts   white,  and   cur.ou.Iy 
gerrated  with  black  ;  upper  dde  of  the  tail  and  tip  below  black,  the  - 
exterior  feathers  serrale.l  with  whitish  ;  shafts  bla.^ktowa.ds  the  tips. 
Uie  a  n.iddle  ones  aln.ost  wholly  ho.     Hill  I*  i«"=l''"  '""K-  "»  '^     '^"y 
horn-color.      Leg,  and   feet  light  blue.     lri.H  ha/.el.      In   the   group 
aivea  by   Au.lubon,  the  si^e   appeals  s.unewhat  H.naller,  the  crunson 
creHcent  on   the  hind-head  n.u-h   .luUer,   tho  head   n.ore   grey,  the 
lower  numdible  pale  Muish,  and  the  undersi.le  of  the  ta.l,  .n  the  male, 
almost  entirely  grnn.     t:an  this  souther.,  bird  be  the  sa...e  q.ec.e. 
with  oum .' 

•  With  the  bill  straight,  and  mrinnted  abort  and  bdoi„  (proper  Wood- 
pr.iKKns).—  t  The  feet  4-toed. 
IVORY-BILLin  WOODPKCKER. 
<Plcy»rnnci,,ali»,  L.  W...hon,  iv.  p.   2...  pl.  a!>.  «!,'■  !•  [-l"]  .  A"" 
„„„oN  pl.  titi.      Orn.  i.  p.  34L     [a  very  uupos.ng  and  Bp.r.ted 
group.]     Phil.  Museni.i,  No.  1884.) 
Sp.CnAnACT.- Black;    cre«t  red  and  idack ;   aecondarieB,  rump, 
andastripeon  .ach  side,  white  ;  the  bill  wh.te.- In  the /em«/. 
and  young  ilw  crest  is  wholly  black. 

Tins  large  and  splendid  species  is  a  native  of  Brazil, 
Mexico  and  the  Southern  States,  being  seldom  seen  to 
the  norUi  of  Virginia,  and  but  rarely  in  that  state.  It  is 
a  constant  resident  in  the  countries  where  it  is  found,  in 


IVOnY-BtLL»!D  WOODPECKF.R. 


605 


productive  of 
ill  r<'({ir<l  to 
•till  ciMiipany 
fiivoreil  us 

!•  nlnr  txtcnt  20. 
iiiHviTsely  Imrrod 
u-r!-!'!!!! ;  rlieeki 
nnilcliin  iili({l>t- 
Irip  of  liliick  (le- 
hjiiil  lioiul ;  lidei 
t  on  lln'  l>r«!nst. 
let  round  cj-ntral 
■d.   Lower  Hide  of 
111.  Inrtfcr  IVatlicrH 
:»',  iind  furiinwly 
flow  l)l:ick.  tln^  12 
iliiWttida  llii'tii>(i, 
*  lung,  of  a     i  Ky 
I.      ill  111"  group 
iillt-r,  till-  <^riiiiiion 
1  more   ({rt-y,  Ihe 
e  tail,  in  tli"  male, 
I  the  same  Hpccies 


jifl  (proper  Wood- 
KER. 

IT.  1.  [male.]  Au- 
jsing  and  Bpirited 

lecondaries,  rump, 
e.  — In  the  female 

utive  of  Brazil, 
seldom  seen  to 
hat  state.  It  is 
c  it  is  found,  in 


the  warmer  regions,  breeding  in  the  rainy  nniiBon,  and  the 
pair  are  bclievod  to  be  united  for  life.  More  vagrant, 
retiring,  and  independent  than  the  rest  of  his  family, 
ho  iH  never  found  in  fht-  prccinctH  of  cultivatt-d  tracts  ;  the 
ccene  of  hia  doininiou  is  the  lonely  forcHt  iimidHt  trees  of 
the  greatest  magnitude.  His  rcitorate<l  trumpeting  note, 
somewhat  simihir  to  the  high  tones  of  the  clarionet  {pait 
pnit  pntt  pait),  is  heard,  .soon  niter  day,  and  until  a  late 
morning  hour,  echoing  loudly  from  the  recesses  of  the  dark 
cypress  svt'ampw,  where  he  dwells  in  domestic  security, 
without  showing  any  impertinent  or  necessary  desire  to 
quit  his  native  Holitary  aboden.  Ifpon  the  giant  trunk  and 
mos.s-grown  arms  of  tlr  colossus  of  the  forest,  and  amidst 
almost  inaccessible  and  ruinous  piles  of  mouldering 
logs,  the  high  rattling  clarion  and  rapid  strokes  of  this 
princely  Woodpecker  are  often  the  only  sounds  which 
vibrate  tlunugh,  »nd  communicate  an  air  of  life  to  these 
dismal  wild?.  His  stridulous,  interrupted  call,  and  loud, 
industrious  blows,  may  often  be  hoard  for  more  than 
Haifa  mile,  and  bt.come  audible,  at  various  distances,  as 
the  elevated  mcchani.^  raises  or  depresses  his  voice,  or  as 
he  flags  or  exerts  himi<df  In  his  luborious  employment. 
His  retiring  habits,  loud  notes,  and  singular  occupation, 
amidst  scenes  so  savage  yet  majestic,  aflford  withal  a 
peculiar  scene  of  solemn  gtandeur,  on  which  the  mind 
dwells  for  a  moment  with  sublime  contemplation,  con- 
vinced that  there  is  no  scene  in  nature  devoid  of  harmo- 
nious consistence.  Nor  is  the  performance  of  this  indus- 
trious hermit  less  remarkable  than  the  peals  of  bis  sono- 
rous voice,  or  the  loud  choppings  of  his  powerful  bill.  He 
is  soon  surrounded  with  striking  monuments  of  his  in- 
dustry ;  like  a  real  carpenter  (a  nick-name  given  him  by 
the  Spaniards),  he  is  seen  surrounded  with  cart-loads  of 
chips,   and  broad  flakes  of  bark,  which  rauidly  accumu- 


566 


ZYGODACTYLI. 


late  round  the  roots  of  the  tall  pine  and  cypress  where 
he  has  been  a  few  hours  employed  ;  the  work  of  half  a 
dozen  men,  felling  trees  for  a  whole  morning,  would 
scarcely  exceed  the  pile  he  has  produced  in  quest  of  a 
single  breakfast  upon  those  insect  larvai  which  have  al- 
ready, perhr.ps,  succeeded  i;  deadening  the  tree  prepara- 
tory to  his  repast.  Many  thousand  acres  of  pine  trees,  in 
the  Southern  States,  have  been  destroyed  in  a  single  sea- 
son by  the  insidious  attacks  of  insects,  which  in  the  dor- 
mant state  ar-  not  larger  than  a  grain  of  rice.  It  is  in 
quest  of  thes.  .lemies  of  the  most  imposing  part  of  the 
vegetable  creation  that  the  industrious  and  indefatigable 
Woodpecker  exercises  his  peculiar  labor.  In  the  sound 
and  healthy  tree  he  finds  nothing  which   serves  him  for 

food. 

One  of  these  birds,  which  Wilson  wounded,  survived 
with  him  nearly  three  days,  but  was  so  savage  and  uncon- 
querable as  to  refuse  all  sustenance.     When   taken,   he 
uttered  a  loud  and  piteous  reiterated  complaint,  almost 
exactly  like  the  violent  crying  of  a  young  child  ;   and  on 
being  left  alone  in  a  tavern,  in  the  course  of  an  hour,  he 
had  nearly   succeeded   in  making  his  way  through  the 
side  of  the  wooden  house.   He  also  cut  the  author  severe- 
ly in  several  places  while  engaged  in  drawing  liis  portrait, 
and  displayed,  as  long  as  he  survived,  the  unconquerable 
spirit  of  a  genuine  son  of  the  forest.     From  his  magnan- 
imous courage  and  ardent  love  of  liberty,  the  head  and 
bill  are  in  high  esteem  among  the  amulets  of  the  southern 

Indians.  . 

The  nest  of  this  species  is  usually  made  in  the  living 
trunk  of  the  cypress  tree,  at  a  considerable  height,  both 
sexes  alternately  engaging  in  the  labor.  The  excavation 
is  said  to  be  two  or  more  feet  in  depth.  The  eggs,  4  or 
5,  are  white,  and  nearly  of  equal  thickness  at  either  end. 


PILEATED  WOODPECKER,  OR  LOG-COCK. 


667 


cypress  where 
work  of  half  a 
tiorning,  would 
in  quest  of  a 
which  have  al- 
he  tree  prepara- 
if  pine  trees,  in 
in  a  single  sea- 
hich  in  the  dor- 
'  rice.  It  is  in 
sing  part  of  the 
tid  indefatigable 
In  the  sound 
I  serves  him  for 

lunded,  survived 
vage  and  uncon- 
i^hen  taken,  he 
omplaint,  almost 
IT  child  ;    and  on 
ie  of  an  hour,  he 
ivay  through  the 
le  author  severe- 
wing  liis  portrait, 
le  unconquerable 
■om  his   magnan- 
ty,  the  head  and 
ts  of  the  southern 

ade  in  the  living 

able  height,  both 

The  excavation 

The  eggs,  4  or 

ess  at  either  end. 


The  young  are  fledged  and  abroad  about  the  middle  of 
June.  It  is  usually  known  by  the  name  of  the  Large  Tiog- 
cork.  This  species  appears  to  live  almost  wholly  upon 
insects,  and  cliiefly  those  that  bore  into  the  wood, 
which  never  fail  in  the  country  he  inhabits  ;  nor  is  he 
ever  known  to  taste  of  Indian  corn,  or  any  other  sort  of 
grain,  or  orchard  fruits,  though  he  has  a  fondness  for 
grapes  and  other  kinds  of  berries. 

Tliis  species  is  about  20  inches  in  length,  and  about  30  in  alar  di- 
mensions. The  general  color  black,  with  a  gloss  of  green.  Fore 
part  of  the  head  black,  the  rest  of  the  crest  crimson,  with  some  white 
at  the  base.  A  stripe  of  white  proceeds,  from  a  little  below  the  eye, 
down  each  side  of  the  neck,  and  along  the  bock  (where  the  two  are 
about  an  inch  apart),  nearly  to  the  rump.  Tail  black,  tapering  from 
the  2  exterior  feathers,  which  are  3  inches  shorter  than  the  middle 
ones,  the  feathers  concave  below.  Legs  lead-color.  Bill  an  inch 
broad  at  base,  of  the  color  and  consistence  of  ivory,  and  channelled. 
The  tongue  also  white.     Iris  vivid  yellow. 


PILEATED  WOODPECKER,  or  LOG-COCK. 

{Picus  pileatus,  L.  Wilson,  iv.  p.  27.  pi.  29.  fig.  2.  [male.]) 

Sp.  Chakact.  —  Brownish-black  ;  crest  red;  chin,  a  stripe  on  either 
side  of  the  neck,  as  well  as  the  base  of  the  quill-feathers,  and  un- 
der wing-coverts,  white  ;  the  bill  black.  —  The  mustachios  of  the 
male  red  ;  in  the  female  and  young  dusky. 

This  large  and  common  Woodpecker,  considerably 
rpsembling  the  preceding  species,  is  not  unfrequent  in 
well  timbered  forests,  from  Mexico  to  the  remote  regions 
of  Canada,  at  least  to  the  oOth  degree  of  north  latitude  ; 
and  in  all  the  intermediate  region  he  resides,  breeds,  and 
passes  most  of  the  year,  retiring  in  a  desultory  manner 
only  into  the  Southern  States  for  a  few  months,  in  the 
most  inclement  season,  from  the  north  and  west.  In 
Pennsylvania,  however,  they  are  seen  as  residents  more 
or  less  throughout   the  whole   year ;  and  Mr.   Ilutchins 


80S 


ZYOODACTYLl. 


met  with  this  species  in  the  interior  of  Hudson's  bay.  near 
Albany  river,  in  the  month   of  January.     It  i«  ^o^^^^'' 
sufficiently  singular,  and  shows  perhaps  the  w.ld  timidity 
of  this  northern  chief  of  his  tribe,  that,  though  «»  mhabi- 
tant  towards  the  savage  and  desolate  sources  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi,  he  is  unknown,  at  this  time,  in  all  the  maritime 
parts  of  the  populous  and  long  settled  state  of  Massachu- 
setts.     In  the  western  parts  of  the  state  of  New  York  he 
is   sufficiently   common    in  the  uncleared  forests,   which 
have  been  the  perpetual  residence  of  his  remotest  ances- 
try      From  the  tall  trees,  which  cast  their  giant  arms  over 
all  the  uncleared   river   lands,   may  often  be  heard  his 
loud,  echoing,  and  incessant  cackle,  as  he  flies  restlessly 
from  tree  to  tree,  presaging  the  approach  of  rainy  weath- 
er     These  notes  resemble  ekerck  rck  rek  rek  rek  rek  rek 
uttered  in  a  loud  cadence,  which  gradually   rises   and 
falls.     The   marks  of  his   industry    are   also    abundant- 
ly visible   on  the  decaying  trees,  which   he  probes  and 
chisels  with  great  dexterity,  stripping  off  wide  flakes  of 
loosened  bark,  to  come  at  the  burrowing  insects  which 
chiefly  compose  his  food.     In  whatever  engaged,  haste 
and  wildness  seem  to  govern  all   his  motions,  and  by 
dodging  and  flying  from  place  to  place,  as  soon  as  observ- 
ed    he  continues   to  escape   every  appearance  of  danger. 
Even  in  the   event  of  a  fatal   wound,  ho   still   struggles, 
with  unconquerable  resolution,  to  maintain   his  grasp  on 
the  trunk   to  which  he  trusts  for  safety,  to  the   very  in- 
stant of  death.     When  caught  by  a  disabling  wound,  he 
still  holds  his  ground  against  a  tree,  and  strikes  with  bit- 
terness the  su.«picious  hand  which  attempts  to  grasp  him, 
and   resolute  for  his  native  liberty,  rarely  submits  to  live 
in  confinement.     Without  much  foundation,  he  is  charg- 
ed, at  times,  with  tasting  maize.     In  winter,  in  South 
Carolina,  I  have  observed  them  occasionally  making  a 


mmmm 


itMmmm 


RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 


ion's  bay,  near 
It  is  however, 
!  wild  timidity 
igh  an  inhabi- 
es  of  the  Mis- 
1  the  maritime 
I  of  Massachu- 
■  New  York  he 
forests,    which 
•emotest  ances- 
Jiant  arms  over 
1  be  heard  his 
!  flies  restlessly 
of  rainy  weath- 
rck  rek  rek  rek, 
lally   rises   and 
also   abundant- 
he  probes  and 
r  wide  flakes  of 
g  insects  which 
engaged,  haste 
lotions,   and  by 
3  soon  as  observ- 
ance of  danger. 
1  still   struggles, 
lin  his  grasp  on 
,  to  the   very  in- 
bling  wound,  he 
strikes  with  bit- 
pts  to  grasp  him, 
ly  submits  to  live 
tion,  he  is  charg- 
winter,  in   South 
ionally  making  a 


hearty  repast  on  holly  and  smilax  berries.  Like  the 
preceding,  the  Log-cock  frequently  digs  out  a  cavity 
in  some  tree,  as  a  deposit  for  his  eggs  and  brood.  The 
eggs  are  about  0,  of  a  snowy  whiteness ;  and  they  are 
said  to  raise  two  broods  in  the  season. 

The  Pileated  Woodpecker  is  about  18  inches  in  length,  and  28  in 
alar  extent.  The  crest  and  niUB^acliios  bright  scirlet,  inclining  to 
crimson.  Chin,  stripe  from  the  nostrils  passing  down  the  side  of  the 
neck  to  the  sides  and  excending  under  the  wings,  white  ;  the  upper 
half  of  the  wings  white,  but  concealed  by  the  black  coverts  ;  lower 
extremities  of  the  wings,  and  the  rest  of  the  body  brownish-black. 
Legs  lead  color.  Bill  fluted,  bluish-black  above,  below,  and  at  point 
bluish-white.    Iris  golden. 

RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 

(Picus  erythrocepluitus,  L.  Wilson,  1.  p.  142.  pi.  9.  fig.  1.  Audcbok, 
pi.  27.  Orn.  1.  p.  141.  [The  male  and  female  feeding  their  half 
fledged  young.]     Phil.  Museum,  No.  1922.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Head,  neck,  and  throat,  crimson  ;  the  back,  wings, 
and  tail,  black,  with  bluish  reflections ;  secondaries,  rump,  lower 
part  of  the  back,  and  under  parts  of  the  body,  white.  —  Female 
less  brightly  colored.  —  The  Young  with  the  head  and  neck  dull 
grey,  varieu  with  blackish. 

The  geographic  limits  of  this  common  and  well  known 
tpecies  are  coextensive  with  the  preceding.  It  is  met 
with,  in  short,  from  the  sources  of  the  Mississippi,  in 
latitude  50°,  to  the  Gulph  of  Mexico,  was  observed 
by  Mr.  Say  in  the  region  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
and  by  Lewis  and  Clarke  in  the  forests  near  the  Pacific. 
In  all  the  intermediate  country,  however  extensive,  it 
probably  resides  and  breeds.  At  the  approach  of  winter, 
or  about  the  middle  of  October,  they  migrate  from  the 
north  and  west,  and  consequently  appear  very  numerous 
in  the  Southern  States  at  that  season.  Many  of  them  also 
probably  pass  into  the  adjoining  provinces  of  Mexico, 
and  they  reappear  in  Pennsylvania,  (according  to  Wil- 
48» 


Bvl 


570 


ZYGODACTVLI. 


«,n  )  about  the  first  of  May.      According   to  Auaubon, 
they  effect  their  n^igration  in  the  night,  flying  h.gh  above 
the  trees  in  a  straggling  file,  at  which  time  they  are  heard 
to  emit  a  sharp  and   peculiar   note,  eas.ly  heard  fn>m  the 
ground,    although    the    birds    themselves     are   elevated 
Lyond    the   sight.       Like   the   preceding,    the    present 
species  is  but  rarely  seen  in  the  mariume  parts  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, this  region  is  only  occas.onally  v.s.ted   by 
solitary  stragglers  ;  yet.  in  the  western  parts  o^^U^^^'^, 
they  are  said  to  be  as  common  as  .n  the  nudd  e  states_ 

They  Hve  principally  in  old   forests  of  tall  trees,  but 
are  much  less   shy  than   most  of  the  genus,  frequent  y 
visiting  the  orchards   in  quest  of  ripe  fruits,  part.cularly 
:;:l.fs,and  3U.cy  pears  and   apples,   with  .-c       hey 
likewise  occasionally   feed  their   young.       They  also   at 
times,  eat  acorns,  of  which  they  are  said  to  ay  up  a  store 
and  v  sit  the  maize  fields,  being  partial  to  the   corn  whde 
in  its  juicy  or  milky  state.  In  consequence  of  these  depen- 
dellhnbiL  of  subJistence.  the  Red  Headed  Woodpecker 
i,  a  very  familiar   species,  and   even  sometimes  not  only 
nests  in  the  orchard  which  supplies  him  with  sustenance 
bn        ntures  to  rear   his  brood  within  the  boundaries  ot 
the  most  populous  towns.     In  the  latter  end  of  summ  r. 
their   reiterated   tappings   and  cackling  screams  are    re- 
ouently  heard  from   the  shady  forests   which   border  the 
xivulets  in  more   secluded   and  less   fertile  tracts.     It  is 
also  not  uncommon  to  observe  them  on  the  fence  rails 
and  posts,  near  the  public  roads,  flitting  before  the  pas- 
Iger  with  the  familiarity  of  Sparrows.  In  the  Southern 
Stafes,  where  the  milaness  of  the  climate  prevents  the 
necessity  of   migration,   this   brilliant  bird   seems   ha  f 
domestic.     The  ancient  live  oak,  his  cradle  and  res i- 
dence,  is  cherished   as  a  domicil.  he  creeps  around  .is 
ponderous  weathered  arms,  views  the  passing  scene  with 


III Ill  iiiiiiliWWliillilimwtiiTWWM 


Duiininnrai 


to  Audubon, 
ing  high  above 

they  are  heard 
heard  from  the 
are   elevated 
r,   the    present 
2  parts  of  Mas- 
ally  visited    by 
>rtsoftlie  state, 
niddlc  states, 
f  tall  trees,  but 
;nus,  frequently 
lits,  particularly 
ith  which   they 
They  also  at 
to  lay  up  a  store, 
I  t'le  corn  while 
B  of  these  depen- 
led  Woodpecker 
netimes  not  only 
with  sustenance, 
he  boundaries  of 

end  of  summer, 

screams  are  fre- 
k'hich  border  the 
tile  tracts.  It  is 
n  the  fence  rails 
g  before  the  pas- 
In  the  Southern 
late  prevents  the 

bird   seems   half 

cradle   and  resi- 

creeps  around  its 

jassing  scene  with 


RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 


671 


complacence,  turns  every  insect  visit  to  his  advantage, 
and  for  hours  together  placidly  reconnoitres  the  sur- 
rounding fields  ;  at  times  he  leaves  his  lofty  citadel  to 
examine  the  rails  of  the  fence,  or  the  boards  of  the 
adjoining  barn  ;  striking  terror  into  his  lurking  prey  by 
the  stridulous  tappings  of  his  bill,  he  hearkens  to  their 
almost  inaudible  movements,  and  discovering  their  re- 
treat, dislodges  them  from  their  burrows,  by  quickly  and 
dexterously  chiseling  out  the  decaying  wood  in  which 
they  are  hid,  and  transfixing  them  with  his  sharp  and 
barbed  tongue.  But  his  favorite  and  most  productive 
resort  is  to  the  adjoining  fields  of  dead  and  girdled  trees  ; 
amidst  whose  bleaching  trunks,  and  crumbling  branches, 
he  long  continues  to  find  an  ample  repast  of  depredating 
and  boring  in.sects.  When  the  cravings  of  appetite  are 
satisfied,  our  busy  hunter  occasionally  gives  way  to  a 
frolicksome  or  quarrelsome  disposition,  and  with  shrill  and 
lively  vociferations,  not  unlike  those  of  the  neighbouring 
tree-frog,  he  pursues  in  a  graceful  curving  flight  his  com- 
panions or  rivals  round  the  bare  limbs  of  some  dead 
tree  to  which  they  resort  for  combat  or  frolick. 

About  the  middle  of  May,  in  Pennsylvania,  they  bur- 
row out  or  prepare  their  nests  in  the  large  limbs  of  trees, 
adding  no  materials  to  the  cavity  whicii  they  smooth  out 
for  the  purpose.  As  with  the  Blue-Bird,  the  same  tree 
continues  to  be  employed  for  several  years  in  succession, 
and  probably  by  the  same  undivided  pair.  The  eggs, 
about  0,  are  said  to  be  white,  marked  at  the  great  end 
with  reddish  spots,  in  which  last  particular,  they  differ 
from  all  others  of  the  genus.  The  first  brood  make  their 
appearance  about  the  20th  of  June.  The  eggs  and 
young  of  this,  and  many  other  birds,  occasionally  fall  a 
prey  to   the  attacks  of  the  common  Black  Snake. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  about  94  to  10  inches,  the  alar  stretch 
about  17.     Bill  light-blue.     Legs  bluish  green.     Iris  dark-hazel. 


■i.m 


^§ 


679 


ZYOODACTYLI. 


RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER. 

i^Picus  cardinus,  L.  W.lson,  1.  p.  113.  pi.  7.  fig.  2.  [male.]    Phil. 

Museum.  No.  1944.) 
Sp.  CHAR4CT.- Barred  with  black  and  white;    head  and    neck 
above  red-lead  color;    cheeks  and  parts  beneath  pale  yellowiBh- 
butr;  the  belly  tinged  with  red.  -  Fmofe  and  Y(mng  wiUi  the 
fore  part  of  the  head  without  red. 

This  species  inhabits  the  whole  North-American  con- 
tinent,  from  the  interior  of  Canada  to  Florida,  and  even 
the  island  of  Jamaica,  in  all  of  which  countries  it  proba- 
bly rears  its  young,  migrating  only  partially  from  the 
colder  regions.  This  also,  like  the  preceding,  is  un- 
known in  all  the  eastern  parts  of  Massachusetts  and 
probably  New  Hampshire.  ,.     ,      r 

The  Red-Bellied  Woodpecker,  dwells  in  the  solitude  ot 
the    forest ;  amidst  the  tall   and  decayed  trees  only  he 
seeks   his  less  varied  fare,   and   leads  a  life   of  roving 
wildness  and   independence,  congenial  with  his  attach- 
ment  to   freedom  and  liberty.     Sometimes,  however,  on 
the  invasion  of  his  native  haunts  by   the  progress  of 
agriculture,  he  may  be  seen  prowling   among  the   dead 
and  girdled  trees  which   now   afford  him  an  augmented 
source  of  support;  and,  as  a  chief  of  the  soil,  he  some- 
times claims  his  native  rights  by  collecting  a  small  tythe 
from  the  usurping  field  of  maize.     His  loud  and  harsh 
call  of  'tslioiD  'tshow  'tshoto  'tshow,  reiterated  like  the 
barking  of  a  cur,  may  often  be  heard,  through  the  course 
of  the  day   to   break  the  silence  of  the  wilderness  in 
which  his  congenial  tribe  are  almost  the  only  residents. 
On  a  fine  spring  morning,  I  have  observed  his  desultory 
ascent  up  some  dead  and  lofty  pine,  tapping  at  intervals, 
and    dodging   from   side   to   side,  as  he  ascended  m  a 
spiral    line  ;     at  length,   having    gained    the   towering 
summit,  while   basking  in  the  mild  sunbeams,  he  sur- 


i.«[mmjMMli«»HiW 


aHliiiiinirriimiiii'  iiiiiiniiiiiiiiriniilrii|)«Wlf 


^« 


nED-HELLlED  WOODPECKEn. 


573 


ER. 

J.  [male.]     Phil. 

head  and    neck 

1  pale  yellowi»h- 

Ymtng  witli  the 

American  con- 
rida,  and  even 
itries  it  proba- 
ally  from  the 
ceding,  is  un- 
achusetts    and 

the  solitude  of 
trees  only  he 
life  of  roving 
ith  his  attach- 
!s,  however,  on 
he  progress  of 
mong  the   dead 
an  augmented 
3  soil,  he  some- 
ig  a  small  tythe 
loud  and  harsh 
jrated  like  the 
ough  the  course 
3  wilderness  in 
I  only  residents, 
ed  his  desultory 
ling  at  intervals, 
ascended  in  a 
1    the    towering 
ibearas,   he  sur- 


veys the  extensive  landscape,  and  almost  with  the  same 
reverberating  sound  as  his  blows,  at  intervals,  he  utteu 
a  loud  and  solitary  'nir'rh  in  a  tone  as  solemn  as  the 
tolling  of  the  Campanoro  ;  he  thus  hearkens,  as  it  were, 
to  the  shrill  echoes  of  his  own  voice,  and  for  an  hour  at  a 
time,  seems  alone  employed  in  contemplating,  in  cher- 
ished solitude  and  security,  the  beauties  and  blessings 
of  the  rising  day. 

The  nest,  early  in  April,  is  usually  made  in  some  lofty 
branch  ;  and  in  this  necessary  labor  both  the  sexes  unite 
to  dig  out  a  circular  cavity  for  the  purpose,  sometimes 
out  of  tlie  solid  wood,  but  more  commonly  into  a  hollow 
limb.  The  eggs,  about  .5,  are  white,  and  the  young 
appear  towards  the  close  of  May  or  early  in  June,  climb- 
ing out  upon  the  higher  branches  of  the  tree,  where  they 
are  fed  and  reared  until  able  to  fly,  though  in  the  mean 
time  from  their  exposure  they  often  fall  a  prey  to  prowl- 
ing Hawks.  They  probably  raise  two  broods  in  the 
season  ;  and  may  be  considered,  like  the  rest  of  their 
insect-devouring  fraternity,  as  useful  scavengers  for  the 
protection  of  the  forest,  their  attacks,  as  might  be  rea- 
sonably expected,  being  always  confined  to  decaying 
trees,  which  alone  afford  the  prey  for  which  they  probe. 

This  species  is  about  IO4  inches  in  length,  and  about  17  in  alar 
extent.  The  vent  and  feinonils  are  dull-white,  marked  in  their 
centres  with  heart  and  arrow  shaped  spots  of  h'ackish.  Wings  and 
back  crossed  with  numerous  bars  of  black  and  white ;  rump 
white,  spotted  with  black.  Tail  of  10  feathers,  the  middle  one* 
black,  their  interior  vanes  white,  crossed  with  diagonal  spots  of 
black  ;  tlie  next  four  feathers  on  each  side  are  black,  the  outer  edges 
of  the  exterior  ones  barred  with  black  and  white,  the  extremities, 
except  the  outer  feathers,  are  black,  sometimes  touched  with  yel- 
lowish white.    Legs  bluish-green.    Bill  bluish-black.    Irides  ted. 


674 


ZYOODACTYLI. 


YELLOW-BELLIED  WOODPECKER. 

(Pieus  varius,  W11.8ON.  1.  p.  147.  pi.  9.  f.  a.  [nmle].  U..nu..  Am. 
Orn.  1.  p.  7.5.  pi.  H.  f.  \.'i.  [young].  Phil.  MuHeuiii,  No.  iWHW.) 
Sp.  Chabact.  — Varied  with  bhick  and  white,  the  buck  spotted  with 
pale  yellow  ;  front,  crown,  and  anterior  part  of  the  throat  criin- 
■on;  breast  and  belly,  light  yellow.- Fcmrt/r,  with  the  throat 
and  hind-head  whitish.  -  Youna,  without  yellow  nearly  on 
the  back,  with  a  broad  white  band  acrogg  the  wings ;  the  belly 
yellowish. 

This  species  extends  over  the  whole  American  conti- 
nent, from  the   53d  degree  to  the  tropic,  where  they  arc 
Been  in  Crtyenne.     They  likewise  inhabit  the  tnhle  land 
of  Mexico  ;  and   are    believed  to  frequent  the  borders  of 
lake   Baikal   in   Asia.     In   most  part  of  this   extensive 
region,  the  species  dwell   and  breed.     During  the  sum- 
mer, it  is  seldom  seen  beyond  the  precincts  of  tlie  forests 
in  which  it   selects   the   most   solitary  recesses,  leaving 
its  favorite  haunts  only  at  the  approach  of  winter,  and 
seeking  from  neccessity  or  caprice,  at  this  roving  season, 
the  boundaries  of  the  orchard.     Its  habits   are  but  little 
different  from  those  of  the  Hairy  and  Downy  Woodpeck- 
ers with  which  they  are  often  associated  in  their  foraging 
excursions.     The  nest,   as  usual,  is   made  in  the  body  of 
some  decayed  orchard  or   forest  tree,   the  circular  en- 
trance to  which  is  left  only  just  sufficient  for  the  passage 
of  the  parties,  the  depth  of  the  cavity  is  about  15  inches, 
and  the  eggs  4  or  upwards,  are   likewise   white.     Their 
principal  food  is  insects,  for  which  they  sometimes  bore 
the  trunks  of  the  orchard  trees. 

This  gpecies  is  about  SJ  inches  long,  with  the  alar  extent  (or  stretch 
of  the  wings)  15  inches.  Sides  under  the  wings,  dusky  yellow, 
spotted  longitudinally  with  black.  The  red  of  the  throat  surrounded 
with  black  extending  over  the  breast.  Tail  black,  the  two  central 
feathers  white  on  their  inner  vanes  and  spotted  with  black.  Legs 
and  feet  dusky  blue,  inclining  to  green.  Bill,  dusky  horn-color, 
rather  long  and  stout. 


iHMWiflllWI 


ilAlIlY  WOODPECKER. 


576 


:ker. 

e],  B<iN\p.  Am. 
Benin,  Nr).  'MH.) 
l)iick  Bpotted  with 
r  the  thnmt  ctiin- 
,  witli  the  throat 
cllow  nearly  on 
wiugs  ;  tlie  belly 

inerican  conti- 
where  they  are 

the  table  land 
t  the  borilcrs  of 

this   extensive 
>uring  the  sum- 
ts  of  the  forests 
cesses,   leaving 
I  of  winter,  and 
j  roving  season, 
ts  are  but  little 
ivny  Woodpeck- 
n  their  foraging 
e  in  the  body  of 
he  circular  en- 
t  for  the  passage 
about  15  inches, 
s   white.     Their 

sometimas  bore 

ar  extent  (or  stretch 
ings,  dusky  yellow, 
le  throat  surrounded 
ick,  the  two  central 
1  with  black.  Legs 
1,  dusky  liorn-color, 


HAIRY  WOODPECKER 

{Pietu  riUimt»,  L.  Wiiion,  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  160.  pi.  0.  fig.  3. 
[ninle].     Phil.  Museum,  No.  1!)88.) 

Sp.  Ch.vb act.  —  Varied  with  black  and  white;  beneath  white; 
the  back  clothed  with  long,  slender,  loose  feathers ;  outer  tail- 
feathers  white,  and  spotless.  —  Male,  with  a  red  occipital  band 
which  in  lUeJ'nnale  is  black. 

This  common  species  is  a  resident  in  most  parts  of 
America  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  Florida,  being  more 
numerou.s  than  the  last,  and  more  familiar ;  frequently 
approaching  the  cottage  or  the  skirts  of  the  town.  It 
is  likewise  much  attached  to  orchards,  an  active  borer 
of  their  trunks,  and  ian  eager  hunter  after  insects  and 
larva)  in  all  kinds  of  decayed  wood,  even  to  stumps  and 
the  rails  of  the  fences.  In  the  month  of  May,  like 
the  last,  accompanied  by  his  mate  he  seeks  out  the 
seclusion  of  the  woods,  and  taking  possession  of  a  hol- 
low branch,  or  cutting  out  a  cavity  anew,  he  forms  his 
nest  in  a  deep  and  secure  cavern  ;  though  sometimes  a 
mere  stake  of  the  fence  answers  the  purpose.  The  eggs, 
about  5,  white  as  usual,  are  hatched  in  June,  Their 
call  consists  in  a  shrill  and  rattling  whistle,  heard  to  a 
considerable  distance.  They  also  give  out  a  sinole 
querulous  note  of  recognition  while  perambulating  the 
trunks  for  food. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  about  9  inches,  the  alar  extent  15. 
The  crown  black  Wings  black,  tiptand  spotted  with  white.  The 
2  exterior  feathers  of  the  tail  white,  terminating  in  an  umber  tint 
Legs  and  feet  greyish-blue.  Bill  bluish-horn  color,  straight,  about 
1|  inches  long. 


m 


576 


ETGonAf'rvi.i. 


DOWNY  WOODPECKER. 


^Pi^,u,...u,  I..  W....0,.  A..  Orn,  L  P^  .53.  pi.  9.  «g  4.  [n,.!..] 

^  Phil.  Mimeum.No.  lit»t>.) 

B.  C.UBACT  -Varied  with  bl«ck«.ul  while;  beneath  white  ;  back 

fmimle  in  blnek. 

T,„.  .peoie.,  tl.e  "m.ll..l  or  A.Mricnn  Woo,lpccke,., 

ag^     .ll,.  cx.o.ly  WW.   .he   „.»e,n„«   i,.   u,  c.„„,. 

,  b  „„a      Tt  is  likewise  residont   thrcualiout  the 

::l.'::;,  z..  i i ';  »...unc  or  «„,  ...o, ..» p.. 

:„       ::..lo«.  .u,u.lc  .ep»l,  for  .l--8«'  -' 

they  carry  out   ^>- ^  "P'^;  ^,^       ;,,.,  „„  u,e  s.nooth 

Theegg«areabout  O.wh   e  -        P^^^^,^^^,^       ^^^,,,  ,,, 
bottom  of  the  cavity.     1  i>c   ni.iu.  j 

L„»We,»b.c  .dares..  So^neU.ne,  the  cal.y     »'« J^ 

interfere,,  and,  driving  -Le  "■;-"::,  rre'cTi:: 
hole,  u.urp.  .l.e  po».e„,on.  No  "P-''"  " 
nresonl  in  iudo.lry  und  perseverance.  Wlule  tuns  rej 
f.,T,  p  obing  the  bark  of  .Ue  tree  for  in.ecu,  ..  con  m- 
Lefjmuch  engaged,,  -o  disregard  .'- 3°-;;,°-' 
the  observe,,  .bough  i.n.nedia.el,  under  .he  re^  The» 
perfor..io„.,  .n.de  by  our  S,p-Su.k.r.  s  e  pr  n. 
Id  preceding  -^^ -J^Tr^r  1:7  .Z "  i~ 

;:rur:,r:,::" :"  rr'Totcu  o.,..,  .h.  .ccord,„, .» 


'«>ihniiii 


nminu»»i>iiWi-«^''-'i»*'!<M«BB 


I. 

pi.  9.  flg  4.  [mtU.] 

•neath  white  ;  back 
■..ftth.iH  whiti-,  with 
Imiid,  which  in  tlw 

n  Woodpeckers, 
ijjr   iit   its   colors 

tliroiialiout  '••c 
ny  also,  the  pair 

their  eggs   and 

ii  pcrfoct  circle, 
luliviiluiil  to  pass 
X  a  week  at  this 
ug  oil  tlie  burrow 
(lirt'Ctioiis,  to  the 
[)reveiit  suHpicion 
)in  at   a  distance, 
led  on  the  smooth 
sionally   fec<ls  his 
lose   of   June  the 
up  the  tree   with 
ally  House  Wren, 
tenants  from  their 
;s  can  exceed  the 
While  thus  regu- 
usccts,  it   contin- 
the  approaches  of 
r  the  tree.     These 
rs,   aathe  present 
ailed,  are    carried 

orchard  trees    in 
,  that  according  to 


LKWia'fl  WOOnPECKKR. 


«77 


Wilson,  night  or  ten  of  thorn  may  be  covered  by  n  dollar. 
The  object  of  this  curious  piece  of  industry  is  not  satis- 
factorily nscertaincd,  but  whether  it  be  done  to  taste  the 
sap  of  the  tree,  or  to  dislodge  vermin,  it  is  certain  that 
the  plant  escape's  uninjured,  and  thrives  as  well,  or  bet* 
ter  than  those  which  are  imperforated. 

The  Downy  WoixlixTker  i»  .ilmut  (>)  inches  in  length,  and  12  in 
alar  extent.  Tin-  liill  only  iihont  |  of  nu  inch  in  length  t'ruiii  the 
gape.    'I'lie  iiluni<'ii;i-  vrry  Hiuiilar  to  that  oftho  preceding  specie*. 


RRD-COCK  A  DEI)  WOf  >D!'i:CKER. 

(Pieut  querulus,  Wilhon,   Am.  Orn.  ii.  p.   1011.  pi.  !'>.  fig.  1.  [male] 
I'hil.  MnHeum,  No.  WJ7.) 

9p.  CiiAnACT. —  Varied  withbliick  nnd  white  ;  the  back  barred  with 
white  ;  In-low  also  white  ;  with  the  outer  tiiil-featli<TH  white,  spot- 
ted with  liliirk.  —  Mule,  with  a  Hhort  verniition-red  line  on  each 
side  of  the  head,  wanting  in  the/tm»/e. 

TiiiH  species,  remarkable  for  the  red  stripe  on  the  side 
of  its  head,  was  discovered  by  Wilson  in  the  pine  woods 
of  North  Carolina,  from  whence  it  probably  exists  to  the 
coast  of  the  Mexican  Gulph.  Its  voice  resembled  the 
chirping  of  young  birds,  and  had  nothing  of  the  sono- 
rous cry  of  the  other  Woodpeckers. 

This  species  is  74  inches  long,  uiid  V.i  in  alar  stretch.  The  back 
barred  with  about  twelve  white,  curving  lines,  and  as  many  of  black. 
Tail-feathers  spotted  with  black,  except  the  4  middle  ones,  which  are 
wholly  black.  The  vermilion  line  on  the  side  of  the  head  seldom 
occupies  more  than  the  edge  of  a  single  feather.  In  the  femal* 
this  mark  is  wanting.     Iris  hazel, 

LEWIS'S  WOODPECKER. 

{Picus  torqutttua,  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  iii.  p.  31.  pi.  20.  fig.  3.    Phil. 
Museum,  No.  2020.) 

Sp,  Charact.  —  Black,  glossed  with  green  ;  front,  chin,  and  cheeks 
dark  red  ;  collar  round  the  neck,  and  breast,  silvery-white ;    the 
belly  glossy  vermilion. 
49 


578 


ZVOOIlArTYtl. 


Or  tlu-  liiin  species  nothing  more  is  itnown,  thuu  that 
it  conuncnly  i..l.«hit«  the  remote  interior  of  the  Mis.o.m 
Territory,  from  v  l.oncc  .cvornl  .kin.  u  .-rr  hrought  hs 
Lewi,  nn.l  Clarke  in   tlioir  expt^tiilioii   across  tho  Rocky 

Muuntiiiii". 

Tl...  I.ntril,  of  the  .ppcimeni  wer-  114  i"'"!""-      Th^  **«•''  *'^' 
and  tail, black.    Leg- and  feet  du.ky.     Hill  dark  horn.c„lor. 


"  •  Speeitt  irilli  3  tofi. 
NORTHKIIN  TIIRKK-TOKI)  WOODPIU^KKR. 

(I'icM  tridacUjlui,  LiKN.  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  ii.  pi.  M.  fig.  8.) 
8r.C„AKACT.-Hill  v.ryl.rnad  and  dopn-nsed  •.  tar.u.  f.-ather*d 
abovo;  HidoBof  the  h.-«d  Btrip.d  with  l.lnck  tnd  wlulc. -,^<»^e 
„l„HHv  black,  bon^ath  white  ;  crown  golden-yllow,  n.  th«/fm«/« 
My  black.  -  Yonng,  »'l»«k,  lined  with  whi.  with  the  crown 
nUoiiiniilar. 

Tins  Hpecios,  rcmarkuhle   for   its   three- ocd  feet   and 
yellow  crown,  in  an  inhal.itant  of  the  north,    n  regions  of 
both  continents,  heing  common   in  Sih.ria,  Norway,  and 
Swil/erland.  though   rare   in  the   more  tenii-  rate   parts. 
It  i,  known  tohree.l  in  Switzerland,  dwelling  »mong  deep 
forests,  in  mountainous  regions,  hurrowing  its  nest  in  the 
pine  trees,  and   laying  4  or  T,  white  eggs,  like  'ho  rest  of 
the  I'enus.      Its   voice  and   habits   ore   indco.i    precisely 
similar   to   those  of  the  Spotted  Woodpeckers     to  which 
it   is  closely    allied.     Its  food  consists  of  ins.    ts,    their 
eggs    and  larviE,  to  which  it  sometimes   adds,     .cording 
to  the   season,  seeds  and  berries.     In   the  Unit.  1  States, 
this  species  is  rarely  seen   beyond  the  northern   bounda- 
Ties  of  Maine  or  the  borders  of  Lake  Sup.--rior.     Audu- 
bon   however,  had   the    good   fortune   to   meet    with   it 
in  the   pine   forests  of  the  Pokono  Mountains  i     Penn- 
sylvania.     It  is,   however,   sufficiently  common    m  the 
dreary  wilds   around  Hudson's  Bay  and  Severn    River. 


iMMMM 


nown,  than  that 
oftlio  MiMOuri 
<xo  lirought  Hy 
iross  Ui«'  Rocky 

The  'vack,  wiapi, 
liom-cvflor. 


JDPKOKER. 

i.pi.  II.  fitf.a.) 

I ;  tiiriuK  fVatbared 

\n(l  white,  — .AW« 

^t^llow,  in  iho  ftnuile 

lit     with  the  crown 

co-rocd  feet  and 
)rlli'  II  regions  of 
ria,  Norway,  and 

(cini  into  parts, 
•lliiig  .  Miong  deep 
itij;  it^  iicft  in  the 
rs,  like  »lic  rest  of 

indeed  precisely 
peckers,    to  which 

of  ins<  ts,  their 
8  adds,  i-cording 
the  Uniti      States, 

northern    bounda- 

Superior.  Audu- 
>  to  meet  with  it 
[ountains  i  Penn- 
ly  common  m  the 
ind  Severn    River. 


NORTIIKnN  TIIKKK-TOKO  WOOOPKCKKIl. 


B79 


It  in  rcnjarkiihin,  that  a.  Hccond  Kpccics,  «o  nearly  allied 
to  the  present,  as  (o  have  heen  confoiuuled  with  it  merely 
as  a  viirifty,  is  found  to  inlmhit  the  wootis  of  (lui.ina.  In 
thin,  (the  Pirii<  iiinliilulu.i  of  Vitillot,)  ihr  .rown,  howev- 
er, is  red  instead  of  yellow  ;  the  tursi  arc  i.Im)  nuked,  and 
u     black  of  the  buck  undulated  with  white. 

■1        l.-nglh  ot-lhiK  H|.. . ,.  .*  iH  ni  „ul  10  inchen,  nn.l  10  in  nl.ir  Mrf  trh. 

I,ul.      4i-blnck.     Above  |.  ""^y  I'I'X'k,  will,  tfro.-i.  ami  |.ur|.U<   rp. 

fl«ll.„        Thr.mt,  br«Mt,    .u.l  middl..  -f  th^  l.flly  whit.- ;  Hi.lH«  of 

hrfM  •,  nml  fliinkH,  i\>    kly  wavod  with  bli.ck  i.iul  wliilf,  nn  well 

the  li-i  .«mlH  aiKl  tnr     i  iV-nthorri.     rrii.i.irie«  iimrked  (,n  bolh  web« 

;«,  iquu  «  white  «   ..u.     Tail,  t  r.ii.l.lle  f.-all-r.  plain  blark,  tl..' 

,    4  white,  -xcept  %  which  lire  li|.t  will,  black  ,  ll .vt.T...r  littlher. 

however,  1      de.!  with  black  and  white.     Legiil«i.a-.<dnr. 


-&>' 


ORDER  SIXTH. 


SLENDER-BILLED  BIRDS.     (Tenuibostres. 

Cuvier,  Bonap.) 

In  these  birds  the  bill  is  long,  or  only  moderately  ex- 
tended, partly  arched,  and  elongated  awl-shaped  ;  it  is 
also  entire  and  acute,  or  sometimes  wedge-shaped  at  the 
extremity.  The  feet  with  3  toes  before,  and  I  behind, 
the  outer  united  at  base  to  the  middle  one,  hind  toe  gen- 
erally long,  the  nails  extended  and  curved. 

All  the  birds  of  this  order  bear  a  relation  to  those  of 
the  2d  section  of  the  preceding,  or  climbing  Zygodactyli. 
Like  them  they  generally  cling  to,  and  vertically  ascend 
the  trunks  and  branches  of  trees,  or  the  fajades  of  rocks, 
as  well  as  hold  themselves  firmly  upon  them.  Nearly  all 
of  them  are  insectivorous,  and  their  food  and  means  of 
procuring  it  are  almost  similar  to  that  of  the  Woodpeck- 
ers. Their  tongues  are  pointed,  or  divided  at  the  extrem- 
ity like  a  pencil,  and  more  or  less  capable  of  extension. 
They  build  generally  in  hollow  trees,  or  the  clefts  of  rocks, 
and  scarcely  construct  a  nest.  Their  voice  is  quaint  or 
unpleasant  ;  and  though  often  incautious,  their  usual 
manners  are  shy  and  retiring. 


NUTHATCHES.     (Sitta.  Lin.) 
In  these  the  bill  is  straight,  moderate-sized,  conic-awl-shaped, 
rounded,  and  sharp-edged  towards  the  point ;  lower  mandible  usually 
recurved  from  the  middle.    The  nostbils  basal,  orbicular,  open, 


N#-v,ss^i?5iRW!-a:-s;«*1«K-65«a®f«»S«aHSMa«^^ 


ENUIBOSTRES. 

'  moderately  ex- 
d-shaped  ;  it  is 
re-shaped  at  the 
;,  and  1  behind, 
e,  hind  toe  gen- 
d. 

ition  to  those  of 
ng  Zygodactyli. 
rertically  ascend 
fagades  of  rocks, 
lem.  Nearly  all 
)d  and  means  of 
the  Woodpeck- 
;d  at  the  extrem- 
)le  of  extension, 
le  clefts  of  rocks, 
roice  is  quaint  or 
lous,   their  usual 


Lin.) 

i,  conic-awl-ahaped, 
-er  mandible  usually 
lal,  orbicular,  open, 


WHITE-BREASTED  AMERICAN  NUTHATCH. 


581 


half  closed  by  a  membrane,  and  partly  hid  in  the  advancing  bristly 
feathers  of  the  face.  The  tongue  short,  wide  at  the  base,  vvitli  a 
torn  notch  at  the  indurated  tip.  Fekt  robust ;  liind  toe  stout  and 
long,  witii  a  strong,  hooked,  and  sharp  nail.  Wings  niod«rate ;  spurious 
feather  short,  the  2d,  3d,  and  4th  primaries  longest.  Tail  ratlier  short, 
of  13  feathers,  even,  or  slightly  rounded,  with  the  shails  on'y  of  ordi- 
nary strength. 

The  sexes  are  similar,  the  young  scarcely  differing  from  the  adult ; 
and  witli  the  moult  annual.  Tliese  are  generally  lianly  l)irds,  dwell- 
ing in  woods,  and  climbing  the  trunks  and  brandies  of  trees  as  well 
down  as  up,  practising  tlie  reverted  postures  of  the  Titmouse  and  the 
Certhias,  being  more  agile  and  ambulatory  than  the  Woodpeckers. 
They  generally  live  on  insects,  but  sometimes  perforate  nuts  by  re- 
peated blows  or  hatchings,  as  well  as  tlie  kernels  of  hard  fruits,  with 
the  bill.  They  build  in  the  hollows  of  trees,  rearing  a  numerous 
brood ;  and  inhabit  cold  and  temperate  countries, 


WHITE-BREASTED  AMERICAN  NUTHATCH. 

{Sitta  carolinensis ,  Briss.   Wilson,  i.  p.  40.  pi.    2.   fig.  3.      Phil. 
Museum,  No.  2036.) 

Sp.  Characjt.  —  Lead-color ;  head  and  neck  above  black  ;  beneath 
pure  white ;  vent  tinged  with  ferruginous ;  lateral  tail-feathers 
black  and  white.  —  Young  with  the  head  plumbeous. 

This  species,  so  nearly  allied  to  the  European  Nut- 
hatch, resides  permanently  throughout  North  America, 
from  Hudson's  Bay  to  Mexico,  appearing  only  more  com- 
mon and  familiar  at  the  approach  of  winter,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  failure  of  its  food  in  its  favorite  sylvan  re- 
treats, which  it  now  often  forsakes  for  the  open  fields, 
orchards,  or  gardens,  where,  in  pairs,  or  small  and  some- 
times contending  patties,  they  cautiously  glean  a  tran- 
sient means  of  subsistence,  and  wander  from  place  to 
place  as  the  supply  diminishes.  At  the  welcome  return, 
however,  of  the  month  of  April,  with  the  revival  and  re- 
newal of  its  insect  fare,  the  Nuthatch  becomes  more  do- 
mestic ;  and  retiring  into  the  forest  with  its  mate,  it  pre- 
49* 


582 


BLENDER-BIIXED  BIRDS. 


T 


pares  for  its  progeny  in  .onie  hollow  tree,  or  even  m  a 
rail  of  the  neighbouring  fence.    If  the  orifice  to  the  nest, 
in  the  dead  tree,  be  too  large,  the  female  of  the  European 
species   contracts  the  entrance  with   plastic   earth   and 
mud,  like  a  potter,  and  this  barricade  is  speedily  rebuilt  if 
broken  down.     The  eggs,  about  5,  are  of  a  dull  white, 
spotted  with  brown  at  the  greater  end.     The  male  is  now 
assiduously  attentive  to  his  sitting   mate,  supplying  her 
regularly  with  food  ;   on  which  occasion  he  afToctionatcly 
calls  her  from  the  mouth  of  her  dark  and  voluntary  pris- 
on, where  sometimes,  in  mere  sociability,  he  attempts  in 
his  rude  way  to  soothe  her  with  his  complaisant  chatter. 
He  is  too  affectionate  to  ramble  from  this  favorite  spot, 
where  he  not  only  accompanies  his  consort,  but,  sentinel- 
like   watches  and  informs  her  of  every  threatening  dan- 
ger '  When  the  pair  are  feeding  on  the  trunk  of  the  same 
tree,  or  near  to  each  other  in  the  same  wood,  the  faithful 
male  is  heard  perpetually  calling  upon  his  companion  at 
short  intervals,  as  he  circumambulates  the  trunk.  His  ap- 
proach is  announced   usually  at  a  distance  by  his  nasal 
quank  quank,  frequently  repeated,   as    in  spiral   circles 
round   the  trunk  of  some  tree,  he  probes,  searches,  and 
shells  oflf  the  bark  in  quest  of  his  lurking  prey  of  spiders 
ants,  insects,   and  their  larva  in  general.     So  tight  and 
secure  is  his  hold,  that  he  i«  known  to  roost  indifferently 
with  his  head  up  or  down  from  the  tree;    and  when 
wounded,  while  any  spark  of  life  remains,  his  convulsive 
and  instinctive  grasp  is  still  firmly  and  obstinately  main- 
tained.    Sometimes  with  a  sort  of  complaisant  curiosity, 
one  of  the  birds,  when   there  is  a  pair,  will  silently  de- 
scend nearly  to  the  foot  of  the  tree,  where  the  spectator 
happens  to  stand,  stopping,  head  downwards,  and  stretch- 
ing  out  his  neck,  as  it  were  to  reconnoitre   your  appear- 
ance and  motives ;  and  after  an  interval  of  silence,  wheel- 


B,  or  even  in  a 
ficc  to  the  nest, 
(f  the  European 
Stic   earth  and 
leedily  rebuilt  if 
f  a  dull  white, 
'he  male  is  now 
,  supplying  her 
le  affectionately 
1  voluntary  pris- 
,  he  attempts  in 
ilaisant  chatter, 
is  favorite  spot, 
rt,  but,  sentinel- 
hreatening  dan- 
•unk  of  the  same 
'ood,  the  faithful 
lis  companion  at 
le  trunk.  His  ap- 
ice  by  his  nasal 
in  spiral  circles 
js,  searches,  and 
T  prey  of  spiders, 
al.     So  tight  and 
■cost  indifferently 
tree ;    and  when 
is,  his  convulsive 
obstinately  main- 
plaisant  curiosity, 
,  will  silently  de- 
iiere  the  spectator 
ards,  and  stretch- 
litre   your  appear- 
of  silence,  wheel- 


RED-BELLIED  NUTHATCH. 


583 


ing  round,  he  again  ascends  to  his  usual  station,  trumpet- 
ing his  notes  as  before.  He  seldom  wholly  quits  the  for- 
est, but  when  baffled  by  the  slippery  sleet  which  denies 
him  a  foot-hold,  he  is  sometimes  driven  to  the  necessity 
of  approaching  the  barn-yard  and  stables,  or  the  pre- 
cincts of  the  dwelling,  where  occasionally  mixing  among 
the  common  fowls,  entering  the  barn,  or  examining  its 
beams  and  rafters,  he  seems  to  leave  no  means  untried 
to  secure  a  scanty  subsistence. 

Length  54  inches,  alar  extent  11.     Bill  black.    Legs  dusky  flesh- 
color. 


RED-BELLIED  NUTHATCH. 

(Sitta  canadensis,  L.  Wilson,  Am,  Orn.   i.  p.  40.  pi.  2.fig.  4.) 
Sp.  Charact. —  Lead-color;  head  and  neck  above,  and  line  through 
the  eye,  black;    beneath  rust-color;    lateral  tail-feathers  black 
ivhite. —  Young  plumbeous  on  the  head, 

<  iS  habits  of  this  smaller  species  are  almost  similar 
t'  .he  preceding;  they  have,  however,  a  predilection 
for  pine  forests,  feeding  much  on  the  oily  seeds  of 
these  evergreens.  In  these  barren  solitudes  they  are 
almost  certain  to  be  found  in  busy  employment,  asso- 
ciating in  pairs,  with  the  Chicadees  and  smaller  Wood- 
peckers, the  whole  forming  a  hungry,  active,  and  noisy 
group,  skipping  from  tree  to  tree  with  petulant  chat- 
ter, probing  and  rattling  the  dead  or  leafless  branches, 
prying  In  every  posture  for  their  scanty  food  ;  and,  like 
a  horde  of  foraging  Tartars,  they  then  proceed  through 
the  forest,  and  leisurely  overrun  the  whole  of  the  conti- 
nent to  the  very  confines  of  the  tropics,  retiring  north 
in  the  same  manner  with  the  advance  of  the  spring. 

The  notes  of  this  species  of  Nuthatch  are  sharper  than 
those  of  the  preceding.  Its  motions  are  also  quicker.  In 
winter,  they  migrate  to  the  Southern  States,  where  they 


584 


BLENDER-BILLED   BIRDS. 


are  seen  in  October,  and  return  to  the  North  in  April. 
With  it8  nest  we  are  yet  unacquainted. 

Length  44  inches,  alar  extent  8.    Legs  and  feet,  dusky  greena.h- 
yellow. 

BROWN-HEADED  NUTHATCH. 

ima  ^m,  L.TH.  WxL,o.,  ii  p.  105.  pi.  15.  fig.  2.    Phil.  Mu.eum. 
^  No.  2040.) 

Sp    Charact  -Lead-color;   bead  and  neck  above  light  brown; 
'    beneath^Iil  white  ;  lateral  Uil-feathers  black,  tipped  w.h  grey, 
and  crossed  with  a  line  of  white. 

This  small  species  is  seldom  seen  to  the  north  of  the 
Jeof  VirginL     In  the  Southern   States,  .s  .^.ther 
common,  and  is  also  met  with  m  the  island  of  Jamaica^ 
Like  the  last,  which  it  resembles   in  manners,  it  is  very 
fond    ?  pine  trees,  and  utters  a  similar  note,  but  more 
Zm   and  chirping.     Its   food,  besides  the  seeds  of  the 
i:us::n?tlfe  i^ects  which   invest  the  ^rest  tree. 
Lnest  is  in  hollow   trees.     In  winter,  families  of  this 
pedes   of  8  or  10  individuals,  may  be  seen  busily  hun  - 
nTin  ;on.pany.  and  keeping  up  a  perpetual   and  monot 
Inous  screepincr.     It  is  less  suspicious   than  most  other 
;7an  btdT-etimes  descending  down  the  trunk  of  a 
ree   watchi;g  the  motions  of  the  bystander   and  if  the 
nt  Lion   happens  to  be  near  the  nest,  or  while  engaged 
in  d  ggTng   It  out,  the  little   harmless   mechanic  utters  a 
ort  of  complaining  note,  and  very  unwillingly  rehnquish- 
esLs  employment,   which   is  instantly  renewed  on  the 

removal  of  the  observer.  ,  .   ,     , 

Length  44  inches,  alar  extent  8.     Legs  dull  blue.    Ins  hazeL 

CREEPERS.     (Certhia.   Lin.) 
In  these  birds  the  Bi..  is  long,  or  of  middling  length  mo«  or  U» 
M  entire.  3.sided,  compressed,  slender,  and  acute.    NosraiU 


K^ 


North  in  April, 
et,  dusky  greenish- 

lTCH. 

\  2.    Phil.  Museum, 

above  light  brown; 
ik,  tipped  with  grey, 

the  north  of  the 
tates  it  is  rather 
l,ind  of  Jamaica, 
anners,  it  is  very 
r  note,  but  more 

the  seeds  of  the 

3t  the  forest  trees. 

,  families  of  this 

seen  busily  hunt- 

letual   and  monot- 

than  most  other 
xn  the  trunk  of  a 
tander,  and  if  the 
,  or  while  engaged 
mechanic  utters  a 
illingly  relinquish- 
y  renewed  on  the 

I  blue.    Iris  hazel. 

.   jLi'n.) 

ng  length,  more  or  less 
and  Msute.    Nostrii-S 


■A..^ 


BROWN  CREEPER. 

boaal,  naked,  pierced  in  grooves,  and  half  closed  by  a  small  mem- 
brane. Tongue  acute.  Feet  slender,  inner  toe  free,  »nd  somewhat 
shorter  than  the  outer  ;  hind  toe  longer  and  more  robust ;  the  nails 
much  curved,  tiiat  of  the  hind  toe  largest.  WVh^'s  rather  short; 
spurious  fi-atiier  small  ;  M  and  4th  primaries  longest.  Tail  of  12 
feathers,  elastic,  rigid,  and  acuminate. 

The  sexes  and  young  nearly  alike  ;  with  the  moult  annual.  They 
live  in  pairs,  or  move  in  small  families,  and  chiefly  frequent  woods, 
particularly  tliose  of  pine,  climbing  both  upwards  and  downwardson 
the  trunks  of  trees,  in  performing  which,  like  Woodpeckers,  they 
are  aided  by  the.  support  of  tlie  rigid  tail.  They  feed  on  insects  only ; 
and  nest  in  hollow  trees,  laying  from  3  to  9  eggs.  The  species  are 
few,  but  widely  spread. 


BROWN  CREEPER. 

(Certhiafamiliaris,  L.  Wii-son,  i.  p.  122.  pi.  8.  fig.  1.    Phil.  Muse- 
um, No.         .) 

Sp.  Chahact.  —  Dark  grey,  varied  with  white,  brown,  and  dusky ; 
beneath  white  ;  rump  and  tail  rusty-brown. 

This  industrious  forager  for  insects,  chiefly  dwelling 
in  the  seclusion  of  the  forest,  is  but  seldom  seen  in  the 
summer  ;  but  on  the  approach  of  winter,  with  otlier  hun- 
gry wanderers  of  similar  habits,  such  as  the  small  Wood- 
peckers and  Nuthatches,  he  makes  his  appearance  on  the 
wooded  skirts  of  the  village,  particularly  among  the  pine 
trees,  and  occasionally  becomes  familiar  enough  to  pay 
a  passing  visit  to  the  orchard.  In  this  country,  however, 
the  species  is  neither  common  nor  familiar,  nor  are  they 
more  abundant  in  the  Northern  than  the  Middle  States. 
If  this  be,  indeed,  the  same  as  the  common  European 
species,  its  habits  are  considerably  different,  nor  is  it 
quoted  as  common  to  America  by  the  celebrated  Tem- 
minck  in  his  Manual  of  European  Ornithology. 

The  bill  of  the  Creeper  not  being  of  sufficient  strength 
to  probe  the  wood,  it  rests  contented,  with  examining  the 
crevices  of  the  bark  for  insects  and  their  eggs,  proceeding 


P    :tv 


586 


SLENDER-BILLED  BIRDS. 


leisurely  upwards  or  dovvnwar.ls,  in  straight  or  spiral  lines 
towards  the  top  of  the  tree,  dodging   dexterously  to   the 
opposite  side  from    the  observer,   and  only  resuming  his 
occupation  when  assured  of  solitude  and  safety.   1  hough 
they  live  chinlly  on   insects,  they  also,  according  to  Wil- 
son, collect  the  seeds  of  the  pine  for  food,  and  are  partic- 
ularly fond  of  the  vermin    which   prey  on  those  kinds  ot 
trees      In   the  thick    forests   which  they   inliabit,  in   the 
Northern  and  Western  States,  about  the  mi.ldle  of  April 
they  commence  their  nest  in  the  hollow  trunk  or  branch 
of  a  tree,  which  has  been  exposed  to  decay  by  injury  or 
accident.     Here,   in  the   accidental   cavities  or   deserted 
holes  of  the  Squirrel  or  Woodpecker,  the  Creeper  depos- 
its  her  eggs,  to  the  number  of  7  or  more,  of  a  dull  cinere- 
ous, marked  with  small  dots  of  reddish-yellow,  and  streaks 
of  dark   brown.     (According  to  Temminck,  the  eggs  of 
the  European  bird  are  pure  white,  scattered  with  numer- 
ous pale  and  darker  spots  of  ferruginous  brown.)      The 
young  creep  about  with  great  caution  previous  to  taking 

to  their  wings. 

Lenrtli  5  inches,  alar  extent  7.  Tail,  as  long  as  the  body,  of  a  pale 
drab,  withtlxe  inner  webs  dusky,  the  extremity  of  each  sliarp,  r.gid, 
and  attenuated  to  a  point,  intlxe  manner  of  the  Woodpeckers.  Eyes 
hazel.    Legs  and  feet  dirty  clay-color. 

Family.  — ANTHOMYZI.     Vieill     Bonap. 

The  bill  long  or  moderate,  slender,  entire,  acute,  or  tubular  at  the 
point ;  the  tongue  long,  slender,  and  extensile.  Feet  short,  ormod- 
erate,  and  slender.    Tail  of  10  or  12  feathers. 

The  moult  semi-annual ;  with  the  plumage  usually  bnlhant.  They 
feed  principally  on  the  honeyed  sweets  of  flowers,  which  they  ex- 
tract with  their  long  and  extensible  tongues  ;  some  "^iBp'*^  f^" 
insects  to  their  fare.  The  nest  is  often  constructed  w.th  much  art, 
and  they  raise  several  broods  in  the  season.  The  voice  .s  scarcely 
audible. 


™»ia>Bmw88i«i imiiMiwwii 


ht  or  spiral  lines 
xterously  to   the 
ily  resuming  his 
safety.   Though 
ccording  to  Wil- 
1,  and  arc  partic- 
n  tliose   kinds  of 
I  inhabit,  in   the 
middle  of  April, 
trunk  or  branch 
ecay  by  injury  or 
nties  or   deserted 
le  Creeper  depos- 
,  of  a  dull  cinere- 
ellow,  and  streaks 
linck,  the  eggs  of 
tered  with  numer- 
is  brown.)      The 
>reviou3  to  taking 

ras  the  body,  of  a  pale 
f  of  each  sharp,  rigid, 
1  Woodpeckers.    Eyes 


till.     Bonap. 
icute,  or  tubular  at  the 
e.    Feet  short,  or  mod- 

usually  brilliant.  They 
ovvers,  which  they  ex- 
i ;  some  also  add  small 
structed  with  much  art. 
The  voice  is  scarcely 


nUMMING-niRDS, 


587 


HUMMING-BIRDS.     (THocmi.us.  Lin.) 

The  Bii.F.  long,  straight  or  curved,  very  slender,  the  base  depreis- 
ed,  and  as  wiih'  ns  the  forehead,  the  point  sharp  ;  tlie  edges  of  the 
iipper  mandible  covering  the  lower  so  as  to  render  the  bill  tubular; 
MOUTH  very  small.  Nostkils  basal,  lineor,  covered  by  a  turgid  mem- 
brane. Tongue  very  long  and  extensible,  entire  at  base,  divided 
from  the  middle  upwards.  Feet  very  short ;  tarsus  short  and  slender, 
more  or  less  feathered  ;  fore  toes  almost  wholly  divided  ;  nails  short, 
much  curved  and  retractile,  compressed  and  acute,  hind  one  often 
shorter  than  the  others.  Wings  long  and  acute,  1st  primary  longest 
and  curved,  the  others  successively  shortening.  Zaj/ mostly  of  10 
feathers. 

These  birds  differ  considerably  in  appearance  according  to  aire 
and  sex  ;  the  colors  are  brilliant  and  metallic,  and  the  high  tinted 
feathers  of  a  rigid  texture.  They  associate  only  in  pairs;  the  young 
often  brought  toirctlier  accidentally  in  small  companies,  but  live  sep> 
arate  from  the  old.  The  flight  is  extremely  rapid  ;  with  the  wings 
constantly  moving  with  a  hununing  sound,  so  as  to  produce  a  bal- 
ancing suspension  in  the  air  while  feeding  on  the  nectar  of  flowers  ; 
each  of  the  primaries  even,  provided  with  a  separate  motion.  They 
scarcely  walk,  resting  and  roosting  upon  the  larger  branches  of  trees. 
The  nest  attached  to  a  branch  or  a  leaf,  (rarely  pensile.*)  The  eggs 
are  2,  and  white.  —  They  are  peculiar  to  America,  and  almost  exclu- 
sively tropical. 

Subgenus  —  Mellisuga.  Briss.  Bonap. 
With  the  bill  straight. 


*  A  8i)cciP9  with  a  widely  docussalod  toll,  ilcicribcil  by  VVatcrtori,  a>  inliabiting 
Demeram,  is  siiiil  lo  make  a  pendulous  nest,  liko  paper,  near  water-courses  ;  it 
is  also  nearly  nocturnal,  feeding  on  ioaetts  chiefly  by  the  morning  and  evening  twi- 
light. 


^^^m'^ 


RUBY-THROATED  HUMMING-BIRD. 

tTrochUus  coluhris,  L.  W.,.sov,  ii.  p.  ac.  pi.  10.  fig.  3.  and  4.  A«dc- 
BON,  pi.  47,   [a  numerous  group  of  old  and  young.]    Orn.  Biog.  i. 
p.  848.     Fliil-  Museum,  No.  25'20.) 
e P.  CHARACT.- Golden-green;    tail   forked,  dusky  ;    3  outer  tail- 
feathers  rusty-white  at  tip.  -  Male  with  a  changeable  ruby-colored 
throat. -In  the  female  and  ,,    m^,  the  throat  is  nearly  white, 
strongly  inclining  tc  yellow  in  the  young  male. 
This  wonderfully  diminutive  and  brilliant  bird  is  the 
only  one  of  an  American  genus,  of  more  than  100  species, 
which  ventures  beyond  the  limit  of  tropical  climates.    Its 
approaches  towards  the  north  are  regulated  by  the  advanc- 
es of  the  season.     Fed  on  the  honeyed  sweets  of  flowers, 
it  is  an  exclusive   attendant  on  the  varied  bounties  of 
Flora.     By  the  lOth  to  the  20th  of  March,  it  is  already 
seen  in  the  mild  forests  of  Louisiana,  and  the  warmer  ma- 
itime  districts  of  Georgia,  where  the  embowering  and  fra- 


^JG-BIRD. 

.  fig.  3.  and  4.  Addd- 
oung.]    Orn.  Biog.  i. 

ilusky  ;  3  outer  tail- 
angeiible  ruby-colored 
iroat  is  nearly  white, 
inle. 

rilliiint  bird  is  the 
3  than  100  species, 
pical  climates.  Its 
ited  by  the  advanc- 
i  sweets  of  flowers, 
varied  bounties  of 
^arch,  it  is  already 
tid  the  wanner  ma-- 
mbowering  and  fra- 


nUBT-TIIROATED  IIUMMINO-DIRD. 


580 


grant  Gehfinium  (Carolina  Jessamine),  the  twin-Iea»ed 
Bignonia,*  and  the  white-robed  iMi/locanum,f  with  a  host 
of  daily  expanding  flowers,  invite  our  little  sylvan  guest 
to  the  retreats  he  had  rcluctontly  forsaken.  Desultory 
in  his  movements,  roving  only  through  the  region  of 
blooming  sweets,  his  visits  to  the  Northern  States  are  de- 
layed to  the  month  of  May.  Still  later,  as  if  determined 
that  no  flower  shall  "  blush  unseen,  or  waste  its  sweet- 
ness on  the  desert  air,  "  our  little  sylph,  on  wings  as 
rapid  as  the  wind,  at  once  launches  without  hesitation 
into  the  flowery  wilderness  which  borders  on  the  arctic 
circle. 

The  first  cares  of  the  little  busy  pair  are  now  bestowed 
on    their   expected  progeny.      This  instinct    alone   pro- 
pelled them  from  their  hy  ber'    '.  retreat  within  the  tropics ; 
strangers  amidst  their  nur  ^     la  and  brilliant  tribe,  they 
only  seek  a  transient  asy' jm  in  the  milder  regions  of  their 
race.      With  the  ear'.jst   dawn  of  the  northern  spring, 
in    pairs,   as   it  were  with   the  celerity  of  thought,  they 
dart,  at  intervals,  through  the  dividing  space,   till  they 
again   arrive  in   the   genial  and  more   happy  regions  of 
of  their  birth.     The  enraptured  male   is  now  assiduous 
in  attention  to  his  mate  ;   forgetful   of  selfish   wants,  he 
feeds  his  companion  with  nectarcd  sweets;  and  jealous  of 
danger  and  interruption  to  the  sole  companion  of  his  de- 
lights, he  often  almost  seeks  a  quarrel  with   the  giant 
birds  which  surround  him  ;  he   attacks  even  the  King- 
Bird,  and  drives  the  gliding  Martin  to  the  retreat  of  his 
box.     The  puny  nest  ia  now  prepared  in  the  long  accus- 
tomed ort  hard  or  neighbouring  forest.     It  is  concealed 
by  an  ai  iful  imitation  of  the  mossy  branch  to  which  it  is 
firmly  attached  and  incorporated.     Bluish-grey   lichens 
agglutinated    by  saliva,  and   matched  with  surrounding 


*  Bignenia  capreolata, 

50 


t  CtUlod  the  Buck-wheat  tree. 


500 


•  LENDIiB-BILl.F.O    IIRDB. 


objects,   inRtinctively  form  tho  deceiving  external  coat; 
portion!  of  the  cunning  architecture,  for  further  security, 
are  even  tied  down  to  the  supporting  station.   Within  arc 
laid  copious  quantities  of  the  pappus  or  other  down  of 
plants;   the   inner   layer  of  this  exquisite  bed  is  finished 
with  the  short    wool  of  the  budding   Platanui,  the  mul- 
lein  or  the  soft  clothing   of  unfolding  fcrn-stalks.     The 
eggs,  as  in  the   whole  genus,  arc  white,  and  only  2,   so 
nearly  oblong  as  to  present  no  difTercnce  of  ends.     Incu- 
bation, oo  tedious  to  the  volatile  pair,  is  completed  in  the 
short  space  of  10  days,  and  in  the  warmer  States,  a  second 
brood    is    raised.     On    approaching    the  nest,  they    dart 
around  the  intruder,  within  a  few  inches  of  his  face  ;  and 
the  female,  if  the  young  arc  out,  often  resumes  her  seat, 
though  no  more  than  three  or  four  feet  from  the  observer. 
In  a  single  week   the    young  arc  on  the   wing,  and  in 
this  situation  still   continue  to  be   fed  with  their  nursing 
sweets  by  the   assiduous   parents.      Creatures   of  such 
delicacy    and  uncommon  circumstances,    the    wondrous 
sports  of  nature,  every  thing  appears  provided  for  the  se- 
curity of  their  existence.     The  brood  are  introduced  to 
life  in  the  warmest  season  of  the  year  ;    variation  of  tem- 
perature  beyond  a  certain  medium,  would  prove  destruc 
tive  to  these  exquisite  forms.    The  ardent  heats  of  Amer- 
ica  have  alone  afforded  them  support ;  no  region,  so  r.ool 
as  the  United  States,  produces  a  set  of  feathered  beings 
80  delicate  and  tender  ;  and,  consequently,   any  sudden 
extremes,  by  producing  chill  and  famine,  are  fatal  to  our 
Humming-Birds.     In  the  present,  remarkably  wet  sum- 
mer (1831),  very  few  of  the  young  have  been  raised  m 
New  England.      In   other    seasons   they    comparatively 
swarm   a'nd  the  numerous  and   almost  gregarious  young 
are  then  seen,  till  the  close  of  September,  eagerly  engag- 
ed in  sipping  the  nectar  from  various  showy  and  tubular 


MMMHMWHHiHiil 


external  coat ; 
urther  security, 
,on.   Within  arc 
other   down  of 
<  bed  is  finiHhed 
itnnus,  the  mul- 
irn-stalkB.     The 
and  only  2,   so 
of  ends.     Incu- 
jompleted  in  the 
States,  a  second 
nest,  they   dart 
of  his  face  ;  and 
esumes  her  sent, 
rom  the  observer, 
hn    wing,   and  in 
ith  their  nursing 
■eatures   of  such 
5,    the    wondrous 
ovidcd  for  the  sc- 
ire introduced  to 
variation  of  tem- 
ild  prove  destruc- 
nt  heats  of  Amer- 
10  region,  so  f,ool 
'  feathered  beings 
intly,   any  sudden 
le,  are  fatal  to  our 
jarkably  wet  sum- 
ve  been  raised  in 
icy    comparatively 
;  gregarious  young 
ler,  eagerly  engag- 
ahowy  and  tubular 


RVDY-TtlROATEO    HUMMINO-BIRO. 


891 


flowers,  particularly  those  of  the  trumpet  Bignonia,  and 
wild  balsam,  with  many  othet  "onspicuous  productions 
of  the  fields  and  gardens.  Soi  Jtimos,  they  may  also  be 
seen  collecting  diminutive  insects,  or  juices  from  the  ten- 
der shoots  of  the  pine  tree.  While  thus  engaged  in  strife 
and  employment,  the  scene  is  peculiarly  amusing.  Ap- 
proaching a  flower,  and  vibrating  on  the  wing  before  it, 
with  the  rapidity  of  lightening,  the  long,  cleft,  and  tubu- 
lar tongue  is  exserteti  to  pump  out  the  sweets,  while  the 
buzzing  or  humming  of  the  wings  reminds  us  of  the  ap- 
proach of  some  larger  Sphinx  or  droning  bee.  No  other 
sound  or  song  is  uttered,  except  occasionally  a  slender 
chirp  while  flitting  from  a  flower,  until  some  rival  bird 
too  nearly  approaches  the  same  plant  ;  a  quick,  faint,  and 
petulant  squeak  is  then  uttered,  as  the  little  glowing  an- 
tagonists glide  up  in  swift  and  angry  gyrations  into  the 
air.  The  action,  at  the  same  time  is  so  sudden,  and  the 
flight  so  rapid,  that  the  whole  are  only  traced  for  an  in- 
stant, like  a  grey  line  in  the  air.  Sometimes  without  any 
apparent  provocation,  the  little  pugnacious  \i\er\  will, 
for  mere  amusement,  pursue  larger  birds,  such  as  the 
Yellow-Bird  and  Sparrows.  To  man  they  show  but 
little  either  of  fear  or  aversion,  quietly  feeding  on  their 
favorite  flowers  often,  when  so  nearly  approached  as  to 
be  caught.  They  likewise  frequently  enter  the  green- 
houses and  windows  of  dwellings  where  flowers  are  kept 
in  sight.  After  feeding,  for  a  time,  the  individual  settles 
on  some  small  and  often  naked  bough  or  slender  twig, 
and  dresses  its  feathers  with  great  composure,  particu- 
larly preening  and  clearing  the  plumes  of  the  wing. 

The  old  and  young  are  soon  reconciled  to  confinement. 
In  an  hour  alter  the  loss  of  liberty,  the  little  cheerful 
captivi  will  otlen  come  and  suck  diluted  honey,  or  sugar 
and  water,  from  the  flowers  held  out  to  it ;   and  in  a  few 


^1. 


sea 


■  I,ENDKR-IIILI,E1»  BIRD*. 


hours  more  it  l.ccomes  tame  enough  to  sip  its  favorite 
beverage  from  a  saucer,  in  the  interval  flying  backwards 
and  forwards  in  the  room  for  mere  exercise,  an.l  then 
resting  on  some  neighbouring  elcvutcd  object.  In  dark, 
or  rainy  weather,  they  seem  to  pass  the  time  chiefly  doz- 
ing on  th*-  perch.  They  are  also  soon  so  familiar  as  to 
come  to  the  hand  tliat  feeds  them.  In  cold  nights,  or  at 
the  approach  of  frost,  the  pulsation  of  this  little  dweller 
in  the  sunbeam,  becomes  nearly  as  low  as  in  the  torpid 
state  of  the  dormouse  ;  but  on  applying  warmth,  the  almost 
stagnant  circulation  revives,  and  blowly  increases  to  the 

usual  state. 

Thfl  Humming-Bird  i.  only  3i  inche.  in  length,  and  4J  in  alar  ex- 
tent. The  bill,  leg.,  ieet,  and  eye.  black.  The  feather,  of  the  breast 
in  the  male,  according  to  the  light  in  which  they  are  viewed,  vary 
from  a  deep  browniKh  black,  to  a  fiery  crLm.on  or  glowing  orange.  - 
In  the  mmng  bird,  the  bill  i.  broader  and  .horter,  and  trace,  of  the 
rigid  metallic  glos.ed  ftather.  begin  to  appear  on  ti.e  throat,  toward, 
th.  clo.e  of  Mitumn.    At  fir.t  the  chin  for  a  little  .pace  i.  pah.h-yel- 


mmmiimtimmmim>ik 


Bip  iti  favorite 
ying  backwnrds 
cImo,  and  U>en 
iject.  In  dark, 
inie  chiefly  doz- 
j  I'amiliar  aa  to 
jld  nights,  or  at 
luH  iiltlo  dweller 

as  in  the  torpid 
rmth,  the  almost 
increases  to  the 

1,  and  41  In  alar  •%■ 
■alherij  of  the  breoat 
y  are  viewfd,  vary 
glowini;  orange. — 
■r,  and  trace*  of  the 
1  trie  throat,  towafda 
)  »pace  is  pahih-yel- 


ORDER  SEVENTH. 


HALCYONS.     (Alcygnes.  Temm.) 

Tmk.  bill  usually  long,  sharp-pointed,  almost  quadrangu- 
lar, and  slightly  curved  or  wtraight.  Feet  very  short ;  the 
tarsus  reticulated  ;  the  middle  toe  united  with  the  outer, 
commonly  to  the  second  joint,  and  with  tii<'  inner  toe  to 
the  first  articulation.  Female  and  young  usually  almost 
similar  to  tho  adult ;  the  moult  annual. 

These  birds  reside  near  v/aters ;  fly  swiftly  ;  '^erch  on 
trees  or  rocks,  but  seldom  descend  to  the  ground,  ihe  feet 
being  too  short  either  for  walking  or  leaping.  They 
subsist  on  insects,  which  they  take  while  on  tho  wing  ;  or 
on  fishes,  seizing  them  as  they  approach  the  surface 
of  the  water.  They  breed  in  holes  burrowed  in  the  fria- 
ble bnnks  of  streams  ;  and  the  eggs  are  numerous.  The 
voice  is  harsh  and  monotonous  ;  and  they  are  at  all  times 
shy,  and  arc  lamed  with  difliculty. 


KING-FISHERS.     (Alcf.do.     Lin.) 

In  tliese  the  bill  is  long,  robust,  straight  and  quadrangular,  com- 
pressed and  acute,  rarelv  aomewbat  curved  at  the  point.  Nostru,i 
basal,  lateral,  obUque,  almost  wholly  closed  by  a  naked  membrane. 
ToNouE  very  short  and  fleshy.  Feet  short  and  robust,  tarsus  shorter 
than  the  middle  toe,  which  is  nearly  equal  to  the  outer  ;  inner  toe 
rarely  wanting,  hind  toe  wide  at  the  base ;  nail  of  the  hind  toe 
smallest.  Wings  rather  short,  1st  and  2d  primaries  a  little  shorter 
than  the  third,  which  is  longest. 
60* 


im 


594  HALCYONS. 

These  are  shy,  solitary,  and  abstemious  birds,  feeding  on  insects, 
and  diminutive  aquatic  animals,  but  principally  on  small  fish,  for  which 
they  assiduously  watch  while  perched  on  some  projecting  stake  or 
bough  impending  over  the  water  ;  these  they  daxterously  catch  and 
swallow  whole,  at  length  casting  up  the  scales,  bones,  and  ind.gesU- 
ble  parts  in  the  form  of  pellets.  They  fly  for  short  distances  with 
considerable  celerity,  skimming  directly  over  the  surface  of  the  land 
or  water.  -  Species  are  spread  over  the  whole  globe,  but  they  abound 
most  in  warm  climates.  In  the  United  States,  as  in  Europe,  there 
is  but  a  solitary  peculiar  race  in  each  country. 


Boicen. 

BELTED  KING-FISHER. 

{AUedo  Alcjon,  h.yfiLSOti/m.  p.  69.  pi.  23.  fig.  1.  AuD.pl.  77. 
Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  394.    Phil.  Museum,  No.  2145  ) 

gp.CHAu.tcT.  — Crested;  bluish  slate-color;  breast  with  a  bluish 
band  ;  a  spot  on  either  side  of  the  eyes,  with  a  large  collar  lound 
the  neck,  as  well  as  the  vent,  white.  —  Female,  with  the  sides,  and 
an  additional  belt  on  the  breast,  ferruginous. 


^ 


feeding  on  insects, 
mall  fish,  for  which 
>rojecting  stake  or 
terously  catch  and 
nes,  and  indigesti- 
ort  distances  with 
surface  of  the  land 
le,  but  they  abound 
s  in  Europe,  there 


S" 


R. 

ig.  1.  AvD.  pi.  77. 
fJo.  2145 ) 

)rea8t  with  a  bluish 
a  large  collar  lound 
e,  with  the  sides,  and 


iM 


BELTED  KINO-FISHER. 


506 


Tnia  wild  and  grotesque  looking  feathered  angler  is  a 
well  known  inhabitant  of  the  borders  of  fresh  waters 
from  Hudson's  Bay  to  the  tropics.  His  delight  is  to 
dwell  amidst  the  most  sequestered  scenes  of  uncultivated 
nature,  by  the  borders  of  running  rivulets,  the  roar  of  the 
water-fall,  or  amidst  the  mountain  streamlets  which 
abound  with  the  small  fish  and  insects  constituting  his 
accustomed  fare.  Mill-dams,  and  the  shelving  and  fria- 
able  banks  of  water-courses,  suited  for  the  sylvan  retreat 
of  his  mate  and  brood,  have  also  peculiar  and  necessary 
attractions  for  our  retiring  King-Fisher.  By  the  broken, 
bushy,  or  rocky  banks  of  his  solitary  and  aquatic  retreat, 
he  may  often  be  seen  perched  on  some  dead  and  project- 
ing branch,  .scrutinizing  the  waters  for  his  expected 
prey  ;  if  unsuccessful,  he  quickly  courses  the  meanders 
of  the  streams  or  borders  of  ponds,  just  above  their  sur- 
face, and  occasionally  hovers  for  an  instant,  with  rapidly 
moving  wings,  over  the  spot  where  he  perceives  his  glid- 
ing quarry ;  in  the  next  instant,  descending  with  a  quick 
spiral  sweep,  he  seizes  a  fish  from  the  timid  fry,  with 
which  he  rises  to  his  post,  and  swallows  it  in  an  instant. 
When  startled  from  the  perch,  on  which  he  spends  many 
vacant  hours  digesting  his  prey,  he  utters  commonly  a 
loud,  harsh,  and  grating  cry,  very  similar  to  the  interrupt- 
ed creakings  of  a  watchman's  rattle,  and  almost,  as  it 
were,  the  vocal  counterpart  to  the  watery  tumult  amidst 
which  ho  usually  resides. 

The  nest,  a  work  of  much  labor,  is  now  burrowed  in 
some  dry  and  sandy,  or  more  tenacious  bank  of  earth, 
situated  beyond  the  reach  of  inundation.  At  this  task 
both  the  parties  join  with  bill  and  claws,  until  they  have 
horizontally  perforated  the  bank  to  the  depth  of  5  or  6 
feel.  With  necessary  precaution,  the  entrance  is  only 
left  sufficient  for  the  access  of  a  single  bird.     The  ex- 


596  HA1.0T0N8. 

tremity,  however,  is  rounded  like  an  oven,  so  as  to  allow 
the  individuals  and  their  brood   a  sufficiency  of  room. 
This  important  labor  is  indeed  prospective,  as  the  same 
hole  is  employed  for  a  nest  and  roost  for  many  succeed- 
ing  years.     Here,  on  a  few  twigs,  grass,   and  feathers, 
the  eggs,  about  6,  and  white,  are  deposited.    Incubation, 
in  which  both  parents  engage,   continues  for   16  days  ; 
and  they  exhibit  great  solicitude  for   the  safety  of  their 
brood.      The  mother,    simulating   lameness,   sometimes 
drops  on  the   water,  fluttering   as  if  wounded  and  una- 
ble to  rise  from  the  stream.     The  male  also  perched  on 
the  nearest  bough,  or  edge  of  the  projecting  bank,  jerks 
his  tail,  elevates  his  crest,  and  passing  to  and  fro  before 
the  intruder,  raises  his  angry  and  vehement  rattle  of  com- 
plaint.*  They  are  very  tenacious  of  their  cell,  and  seldom 
forsake  it,  however  molested.   But  at  the  commencement 
of  winter,  the  frost  obliges  our  humble  Fisher  to  seek 
more  open  streams,  and  even  the  vicinity  of  the  sea;  but 
he  is  seen  to  return  to  Pennsylvania  by  the  commence- 
ment of  April. 

The  length  of  this  BpecieB  is  about  12  inches;   alar  extent  20. 
Bill  brownish-black,  light  greenish-blue  at  the  base.      Ir.s  hazel 
Feet  greyish-blue  ;  the  cla^s  black.     Quills  brown.sh-black,  barr  d 
wiUi  white  at  the  base ;  tail-feathers  the  same,  but  more  barred  w.th 
white.  — The  blue  of  the  female  duller. 

*  AOD  310II,  Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  396. 


T 


I,  so  as  to  allow 
Jiency  of  room, 
ve,  as  the  same 
r  many  succeed- 
3,   and  feathers, 
ed.    Incubation, 
es  for   16  days  ; 
B  safety  of  their 
ness,   sometimes 
junded  and  una- 
also  perched  on 
ting  bank,  jerks 
to  and  fro  before 
ent  rattle  of  com- 
•  cell,  and  seldom 
)  commencement 
I  Fisher  to  seek 
,y  of  the  sea ;  but 
^  the  coromence- 

les;  alar  extent  20, 
18  base.  Iris  hazel, 
ownish-black,  barred 
but  more  barred  with 


ORDER  EIGHTH. 


SWALLOW  TRIBE.     (Chelidones.  Vieill.) 

With  the  bill  very  short,  much  depressed,  aod  very 
wide  at  the  base,  the  upper  mandible  curved  at  the  point. 
Feet  short  and  slender,  3  toes  before,  wholly  divided,  or 
united  at  the  base  by  a  short  membrane,  the  hind  toe 
often  reversible ;  the  nails  hooked.  Wings  very  long 
and  acute. 

The  sexes  and  young  nearly  similar ;  with  the  moult 
annual.  These  feed  exclusively  on  insects,  which  they 
swallow  flying;  they  consequently  migrate  to  tropical 
countries  in  winter.  Tho  flight  is  very  rapid  and  long 
continued ;  (the  diurnal  section  scarcely  walk.)  The 
vision  very  perfect ;  and,  according  to  their  habits,  diurnal 
or  nocturnal.  The  voice  in  the  proper  Swallows  is  rather 
feeble  and  twittering  ;  in  the  nocturnal  family  quaint, 
singular,  or  monotonous. 


"^  1. — Diurnal  Family. 

With  the  eyes  and  ears  of  moderate  &ize.    The  plumage  close  and 
compact ;  and  with  the  middle  toe-nail  like  the  rest. 


SWALLOWS.     (HiBUNDO.  Linn.) 

In  these  birds  the  bill  is  short,  triangulEir,  depressed,  wide  at 
its  base,  and  cleft  nearly  to  the  eyes ;  the  upper  mandible  notched 


698 


SWALLOW  TRIBE. 


and  a  little  hooked  at  the  point.  Nostrils  bwal,  oblong,  behind 
partly  closed  by  a  membrane,  and  covered  by  the  advancing  feathers 
of  the  frontlet.  Tongue  short,  bifid.  Feet  short,  and  slender  ;  middle 
toe  longer  than  the  subequal  lateral  ones,  united  with  the  outer  to 
the  first  articulation,  middle  toe-nail  largest.  First  primanj  longeat. 
TmI  of  12  feathers,  and  generally  forked. 

These  birds  are  remarkable  for  their  sociability,  living  generally  in 
families,  constructing  their  nests  together,  and  often  rendering  mu- 
tual assistance  in  its  formation  ;  tliey  also  assemble  and  migrate  in 
large  flocks.  Some  build  in  hollow  trees,  barns,  out-buildings,  chim- 
neys, and  even  on  the  ground,  or  the  larger  branches  of  trees ;  the  ex- 
ternal part  of  the  nest  is  fortified  with  hardening  materials,  the  interi- 
or lined  with  soft  substances.  Constantly  paired,  they  rear  several 
broods  in  the  season,  and  unite  in  the  labor  of  rearing  the  young. 
They  freiiueut  watery  places  in  pursuit  of  winged  insects,  which 
they  take  with  agility,  swimming  as  it  were  in  the  air  ;  they  likewise 
skim  over  the  surface  of  waters,  and  drink  and  bathe  even  without 
alighting,  the  air  being  almost  their  peculiar  element.  In  fair  weath- 
er they  delight  to  ascend  into  the  elevated  regions  of  the  atmos- 
phere;  but  previous  to  rain,  which  they  thus  piognosticate,  they 
lower  their  flight,  and  at  length  sail  near  the  surface  of  the  earth. 
They  inhabit  every  region,  and  moult  once  a  year,  in  the  depth  of 
our  winter,  and  while  in  their  tropical  asylum. 


PURPLE  MARTIN. 

(Hirundo  purpurea,  L.  Wimon,  v.  p.  58.  pi.  39.  fig.  1.  and  2.    Aun. 

pi.  22.    Orn.  i.  p.  115.    Phil.  Museum,  No.  2645,  2C4C.) 
Sp.Charact.  — Dark  bluish-purple,  and  glossy;  v^ings  and  forked 

tail  brownish-black.  —  Female   and  yovng  bluish-brown;  belly 

whitish. 

According  to  the  progress  of  the  season  in  the  very 
different  climates  of  the  United  States,  is  measured  the 
arrival  of  this  welcome  messenger  of  spring.  Around  the 
city  of  New  Orleans,  for  example,  the  Purple  Martin  is 
seen  from  the  1st  to  the  9th  of  February.  At  the  Falls 
of  the  Ohio  they  are  not  seen  before  the  middle  of  March, 
and  do  not  arrive  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia  until  the 
firet  week  in  April ;  on  the  35th  of  that  month  or  later, 


PURPLE  MARTIN. 


590 


>aBal,  oblong,  behind 
he  advancing  feathers 
,  and  slender  ;  middle 
ted  with  the  outer  to 
First  primary  longest. 

ty,  living  generally  in 
1  ofltMi  rendering  mu- 
sentble  and  migrate  in 
s, out-buildings,  chim- 
>ches  of  trees ;  the  ex- 
g  materials,  the  interi- 
lired,  tliey  rear  several 
if  rearing  the  young. 
I'inged  insects,  which 
the  air;  they  likewise 
id  bathe  even  without 
ement.  In  fair  weath- 
regions  of  the  atmos- 
la  piognosticate,  they 
I  surface  of  the  earth. 
I  year,  in  the  depth  of 


!9.  fig.  1.  and  2.    Aud. 
No.  2645,  2C46.) 
say  ;  winga  and  forked 
g  bluish-brown;  belly 

season  in  the  very 
es,  is  measured  the 
spring.  Around  the 
le  Purple  Martin  is 
uary.  At  the  Falls 
le  middle  of  March, 
liladclphia  until  the 
that  month  or  later, 


they   visit  the  vicinity   of  Boston,   and  penetrate  even 
to  the  cold  regions  of  Hudson's  Bay,  where  they  arrive 
in  May,   and  retire   in   August ;   about  the  20th  of  the 
same  month  they  also  leave  the   state  of  Pennsylvania. 
Tn  their  haste  to  return  to  their  natal  climes,  they  some- 
times  expose  themselves  to  fatal  accidents  from  change- 
ble  and  unfavorable  weather.     In  the  maritime  parts  of 
Massachusetts,  and  probably  throughout  the  state,   a  few 
years   ago,   after   a  rainy  midsummer,  many  were  found 
dead  in  their   boxes,  and   they  have  since  been   far  less 
numerous  than  formerly. 

This  beautiful  species,  like   many  others  of  the  fam- 
ily,   seeks   out   the  dwellings  of  man,  associating    him- 
self equally  with  the  master  and  the  slave,  the   colonist 
and  the  aboriginal.     To  him  it    is  indifferent,,   whether 
his  mansion  be  carved  and  painted,  or   humbled  into  the 
hospitable  shell  of  the  calabash  or  gourd.     Secure  of  an 
asylum  for  his  mate  and  young,  while  under  the  protec- 
tion of  man,   he  twitters  forth  his   gratitude,  and  is  ev- 
ery  where  welcomed  to  a  home.    So  eager  is  he  to  claim 
this  kind  of  protection,  that  sometimes   he  ventures  hos- 
tilities with  the  Blue-Birds  and  domestic  Pigeons,  whom 
he  often  forces  to  abandon  their  hereditary  claims.  Satis- 
fied with  their  reception  and  success,   like  so  many  con- 
tented and  faithful  domestics,  they  return  year  after  year 
to   the    same    station.     The  services   of  the   Martin  in 
driving  away   Hawks   and  Crows   from  the  premises  he 
claims"  are    also   important  inducements  for  favor;    he 
has  even  the  courage   to   attack  the  redoubtable  King- 
Bird,  when  his  visits  are  too  familiar  near  the  nest. 

At  the  approaching  dawn,  the  merry  Martin  begins 
his  lively  twitter,  which,  continuing  for  half  a  minute, 
subsides  until  the  twilight  is  fairly  broken.  To  this  pre- 
lude succeeds   an  animated  and  incessant  musical  chat- 


600 


SWALLOW  TRIBE. 


tering,  sufficient,  near  the  dwelling,  to  awaken  the  sound- 
est sleeper.  His  early  vigils  are  scarcely  exceeded  by 
the  domestic  cock;  the  industrious  farmer  hears  the 
pleasing  call  to  labor,  and  associates  with  the  favorite 
bird  the  idea  of  an  economical,  cheerful,  and  useful  guest. 
In  the  Middle  States,  from  the  15th  to  the  20th  of 
April,  the  Martins  begin  to  prepare  their  nest,  which  is 
usually  made  of  small  green  or  dry  leaves,  straws,  hay, 
and  feathers,  laid  in  considerable  quantities.  The  eggs, 
pure  white,  are  from  4  to  G,  and  without  spots.  They 
rear  two  broods  in  the  season.  Several  pairs  also  dwell 
harmoniously  in  the  same  box.  The  male,  very  atten- 
tive  to  his  sitting  mate,  also  takes  part  in  the  tnsk  of  in- 
cubation ;  and  his  notes  at  this  time  have  apparently  a 
peculiar  and  expressive  tenderness. 

The  food  of  the  Martin  is  usually  the  larger  winged 
insects;  as  wasps,  bees,  large  beetles,  such  as  the  com- 
mon Cetonias  or  goldsmiths,  which  are  swallowed  whole. 
His  flight  possesses  all  the  swiftness,  ease,  and  grace  of 
the  tribe.  Like  the  Swift,  he  glides  along,  as  it  were, 
without  exertion.  Sometimes  he  is  seen  passing  through 
the  crowded  streets,  eluding  the  passengers  with  the 
rapidity  of  thought ;  at  others  he  sails  among  the  clouds 
at  a  dizzy  height,  like  something  almost  ethereal. 

This  species  is  about  8  inches  in  length,  and  IG  in  alar  extent. 
Toil  considerably  forked. 


■tf 


■r--i 


ikcn  the  sound- 
ly exceeded  by 
rmer  hears  the 
th  the  favorite 
nd  useful  guest, 
to  the  20th  of 
r  nest,  which  is 
es,  straws,  hay, 
ies.  The  eggs, 
;  spots.  They 
pairs  also  dwell 
tiale,  very  atten- 
i  the  task  of  in- 
ive  apparently  a 

e  larger  winged 
such  as  the  com- 
wallowed  whole, 
ise,  and  grace  of 
long,  as  it  were, 
passing  through 
engers  with  the 
imong  the  clouds 
t  ethereal. 
1  IG  iu  alar  extent. 


BARN  SWALLOW. 

{Ilirunda  rufa,  Gmel.     //.  amerieana,    Wilson,  v.  p.  34.   pi.  38. 
fig.  1.  and  2.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  7fi09.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Above,  and  band  on  the  breast,  steel-blue;  front 
and  beneath  chesnut-brown,  paler  on  the  belly  ;  tail  forked,  with 
a  white  spot  on  the  lateral  feathers,  the  outer  ones  narrow  and 
long. 

The  Barn  Swallow  arrives  in  Florida  and  the  mari- 
time parts  of  Georgia  about  the  middle  of  March,  but  is 
not  seen  in  the  Middle  Stales  before  the  last  of  that 
month  or  the  beginning  of  April.  Their  northern  migra- 
tion extends  to  the  sources  of  the  Mississippi,  where  they 
have  been  seen  by  Mr  Say,  at  Pembino,  in  the  latitude 
of  49°.  They  retire  from  Massachusetts  about  the  18th 
of  September,  and  are  observed,  in  the  same  month  and 
in  October,  passing  over  the  peninsula  of  Florida  on 
their  way  to  tropical  America,  where  they  probably  puss 
the  winter.  I  have  seen  a  straggling  pair  in  this  vi- 
cinity even  on  the  15th  of  October.  In  the  months  of 
51 


602 


SWALLOW   TRIBE. 


January  and  February  the  common  Chimney  Swallow 
of  Europe  has  been   observed  to  moult,  by  Mr.   Pearson 
of  London,  and  Mr.  Natterer  of  Vienna;  with  the  latter 
they  survived   in  cages,  to  which  they  are  easily  recon- 
ciled    for  8  or  9    years,  and  showed  no  propensity  to  tor- 
niditi     The  Heetness  with  which  they  move,  and  the  pe- 
culiarity  of  their  in.ect   fare,  are   circumstances   which 
would  impel  a  prompt   transition   to  more  favorable   cli- 
mates     Accidental  fits  of  torpidity,  like  those  which  oc 
casionully  and  transiently  take  place  with  the  Humming- 
Bird    have  undoubtedly   happened  to  Swallows,  without 
proving  any  thing  against  the  general  migrating  instinct 

of  the  species. 

Early  in  May  they   begin  to  build,   aga-.-.t   a   beam 
or  rafter,  usually  in  the  barn.     The  external  and  round. 
i„g  Bhell  is  made  of  pellets  of  mud,  tempered   with  fine 
hay    and  rendered   more  adhesive  by  th.   glutinous  sa- 
Hva'of  the  bird  ;   within  is  laid  a  bed  oi   fine  hay.   and 
the  lining  is  made  of  loosely  arranged    feathers.     The 
ggs   are%.   white,    spotted   over    with   -^^ish-  row. 
Tlvey  have  usually  two  broods  in  the  season,  and  the  last 
leave  the  nest  about  the  first  week  in  August.     Twenty 
or  thirty  nests  may  sometimes  be  seen  in  the  same  barn, 
and   two  or   three  in   a  cluster,  where  each  piirsues   his 
busy  avocation  in  the  most  perfect  harmony.     When  the 
vouna  are  fledged,  the  parents,  by  their  actions  and  twit- 
Linas.  entice   them  out  of  the  nest,  to  exercise  their 
wings  within  the  barn,  where  they  sit  in  rows  amid  the 
timbers  of  the  roof,  or  huddle  closely  together  in  cool  or 
rainy  weather  for  mutual   warmth.     At  length  they  ven- 
ture  out  with  their  parents,  and,  incapable  oF constant  ex- 
ercise, may  now  be  seen  on  trees,  bushes,  or  fence-rails 
near  some  pond  or  creek,  convenient  to  their  food  ;  and 
their  diet  is  disgorged  from  the  stomachs  or  cropsof  the.r 


FULVOUB  OR  CLIFF  SWALLOW. 


mney  Swallow 
yr  Mr.   Pearson 
with  the  latter 
e  easily  recon- 
opensity  to  tor- 
ve,  and  the  pe- 
istanccs   which 
.  favorable   cli- 
hosc  which  oc- 
the  Ilumming- 
allows,  without 
grating  instinct 

ga'.iit   a  beam 
rnal  and  round- 
pered   with  fine 
ic   glutinous  sa- 
1   fine  hay,   and 
feathers.     The 
reddish-brown. 
3on,  and  the  last 
ugust.     Twenty 
1  the  same  barn, 
;ach  pursues   his 
ony.     When  the 
actions  and  twit- 
to  exercise  their 
a  rows  amid  the 
)gether  in  cool  or 
,  length  they  ven- 
)le  o  r  constant  ex- 
es, or  fence-rails, 
5  their  food  ;  and 
8  or  crops  of  their 


attentive  parents.  When  able  to  provide  for  themselves, 
they  are  still  often  fed  on  the  wing  without  either  party 
alighting ;  so  aerial  and  light  are  all  their  motions,  that 
the  atmosphere  alone  seems  to  be  their  favorite  element. 
In  the  latter  end  of  summer,  parties  of  these  social  birds 
may  be  often  seen  by  the  sides  of  dusty  roads,  in  which 
they  seem  pleased  to  bask. 

About  the  middle  of  August  they  leave  the  barns,  and 
begin  to  prepare  for  their  departure,  assembling  in  great 
numbers  on  the  roofs,  still  twittering  with  great  cheer- 
fulness. Their  song  is  very  sprightly,  and  sometimes  a 
good  while  continued.  Some  of  these  sounds  seem  like 
't'le  'I'le  't'letalit,  uttered  with  rapidity  and  great  ani- 
mation. Awhile  before  their  departure,  they  are  ob- 
served skimming  along  the  rivers  and  ponds  after  insects 
in  great  numbers,  till  the  approach  of  sunset,  when  they 
assemble  to  roost  in  the  reeds. 

The  length  of  the  species  is  about  7  inches,  alar  stretch  13.  Ex- 
terior feathers  of  the  tail  an  inch  and  a  half  longer  than  the  next. 
Iris  dark  hazel.  Legs  dark  purple.  —  Female  with  the  belly  and 
vent  rufous-white. 

FULVOUS  on  CLIFF  SWALLOW. 

(Hirundofuha,  Vif.ill.  Bo.vap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  63.  pi.  8.  fig.  1.  Aud. 

pi.  68.    Orn.  i.  p.  353.    Phil.  Museum,  No.  7C24.) 
Sp.  Charact.— Blue-black:    beneath  brownish-white  ;    throat  and 
rump  ferruginous ;  front  with  a  paler  semi-lunar  band ;  tail  even. 

The  Cliff  Swallow  has  but  recently  come  to  the  notice 
of  natui-alists.  Its  summer  residence  in  the  temperate 
parts  of  America  is  singularly  scattered.  They  appear 
to  have  long  occupied  the  regions  near  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  the  cliffs  of  the  Missouri,  and  probably  other 
large  western  rivers.  In  1815,  they  appeared  for  the 
first  time  at  Henderson  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  and  at 
New  Port  in  Kentucky.     In  1817,   they  made  their  ap- 


604 


aWAM.OW  TRIBB. 


pearance    nt  Whitehall,   near    Lake  Chainplaiii,    in  the 
wcBterp  part  of  the  state  of  New  York.     lu  the»e  places 
their  increase  Heenis  to  have  kept  pace  with  the  time  »inco 
their  arrival,  au^jmentiiiK  their   nests  from  a  single  clus- 
ter to  several    hundreds   in  the  course  of  4  or  r>   years. 
Vieillot  observed  one  at  sea  off  Nova  Scotia,  and   they 
have,  in  fact,  long  been  commonly  known  in  that  province. 
In  1818,  ns   I  learn  from  J.  W.  Bootl,  Esq.,  they  began 
to  build  nt  Crawford's,  near  the  base  of  the  White  Moun- 
tainb  of  New  llumpshire.     In  the  summer  of  1830  a  few 
nests  were    seen  by  General  Dearborn   at  Winthrop  in 
Maine  ;  he  had  also  heard  of  one  at  Gardiner  in  the  same 
state.     The  hibernal  retreat  of  this  species   would  ap- 
pear to  be  in  the  West  Indies,  as  they  were  seen  in  Por- 
to Rico  by   Vieillot,  and  one  was  also  observed   in  St. 
Domingo  by  the  same  author. 

In  llif  Wosicrn  States  they  arrive  from  the  south  early 
in  April,  and  almost  immediately  begin  to  construct  their 
nests.  They  commence  their  labor  at  the  dawn  and 
continue  their  operations  until  near  mid-day.  They  are 
made  of  pellets  of  sandy  mud,  disposed  in  layers  until 
the  f\ibric  with  its  entrance  assumes  the  form  of  a  pro- 
jecting retort,  agglutinated  to  cliffs  or  the  walls  of  build- 
ings, as  convenience  may  offer.  From  the  nature  of  the 
frialilc  materials  employed,  the  whole  is  frail  and  crum- 
bling in  the  possession  of  any  but  the  airy  owners.  The 
internal  lining  is  of  straw  and  dried  grass,  negligently 
disposed  for  the  reception  of  the  eggs,  which  are  usually 
4,  and  white,  spotted  with  dusky-brown.  They  raise  but 
a'single  brood,  who  with  their  parents,  after  several  at- 
tempts at  mustering,  finally  disappear  in  August,  as  sud- 
denly as  they  came. 

Like   die  rest  of  their  congeners,  they  are  almost  per- 
petually on  the  wing  in  quest  of  flies  and   Jther  small  in- 


iinplain,    in  the 
111  theso  places 
li  the  time  Minco 
II  a  sidkIo  cluB- 
■  4  or  T)   years, 
cotia,  and   they 
II  tlint  province. 
si|.,  they  began 
le  Wiiite  Moiin- 
r  of  IH30  a  few 
at  Winthrop  in 
mer  in  the  same 
"cies   would  ap- 
»re  seen  in  Por- 
observed   in  St. 

1  the  south  early 
0  construct  their 
.  the  dawn  and 
^ay.  They  are 
i  in  layers  until 
5  form  of  a  pro- 
e  walls  of  build- 
,he  nature  of  the 
;  frail  and  crum- 
iry  owners.  The 
rrass,  negligently 
vhich  are  usually 
They  raise  but 
after  several  at- 
i  August,  as  sud- 

y  are  almost  per- 
d   Jther  small  in- 


WHITK-HEI.LieD  iWAM.OW. 

sects,  which  constitute  their  ordinary  food.  Their  note 
does  not  appear  to  resemble  a  twitter,  and  according  to 
Audubon  it  may  be  imitated  by  rul)l)ing  a  moistened 
cork  round  in  the  nock  of  a  bottle,  in  Kentucky,  un- 
til the  commencement  of  incubation,  the  whole  party  ro« 
sorted  to  roo!*t  in  the  hollow  limbs  of  the  button-wood 
trees  {i'latitniis  orriiliiilalis).  However  curious,  it  is 
certain,  that  those  birds  havo  but  rocontly  discovcre<l  the 
advantage  of   associating    round  the  habitations  of  men. 

The  IMiff  Swnlljw  in  .ibout  .')1  inches  long,  the  alsr  extent  lit, 
Irii  linzel.  The  Hcini-lunar  front.il  biurd  pale  rtit'ouH  white.  Tail- 
covertH  piile  yellowiHU-r*-)).  Wiii|{ii  and  tuil  browniah-bluck.  —  I'e- 
male  liinilar. 


WIUTE-BELLIED  SWALLOW. 

{llirunilo  hirolor,  Vieim..     If.  ririflit,  Wii.nnjf,  v.  p.  44.  pi.  39.  fig.  8. 
I'iiil.  Miisenm,  No.  7707.) 

Sp.  CiiARACT.  —  Dark  greenish-blue,  beneath  white  ;    tail  forked  ; 
the  tarsi  naked. 

This  species,  less  common  than  the  Barn  Swallow, 
and  nearly  allied  to  the  Common  Martin,  arrives  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  New  England  about  the  middle  of  April, 
and  extends  its  migrations  over  the  continent  nearly  to 
the  arctic  circle,  having  been  seen  by  Dr.  Richardson  in 
the  latitude  of  53°  ;  they  also  breed  around  Hudson's 
Bay,  and  throughout  the  Northern  and  Middle  Stater, 
On  their  arrival,  like  many  other  species,  they  seek  out 
the  society  of  man,  and  frequently  take  possession  of  the 
mansion  of  the  Martin.  When  these  advantages  are  unat- 
tainable, they  will  content  themselves  with  the  eaves  of 
some  deserted  dwelling,  a  hollow  tree,  their  ancient  resi- 
dence, or  even  an  horizontal  branch,  when  large  and 
convenient.  The  nest  is  made  without  mud,  of  fine  dry 
grass  loosely  put  together,  and  copiously  lined  with  feath- 
6l» 


60<i 


MWALLOW  TRIBB. 


eri.      Tho  ox-?.-*  arc  4  or  5,  and   pure   white  ;  and  they 
commonly  r.U8e  two  broodii  in  the  season. 

Tho  voice  of  this  species  is  rntlier   low  and  RUttural  ; 
they  are  likewise   more  quarrelsome  and    less  sociable  in 
the  breeding  season,   than   the    Barn    Swallow.     In  the 
spring    their    angry    contentions   and   rapid   chatter  are 
heard  in  the  air  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  at  a  t.mo.  Their 
food  is  similar  to  that  of  the  species  above  mentioned,  and 
they    make  a  snapping  sound  with  the  bill    in  tho  act  of 
seizing   their  prey.     They  proceed  to  the  South  in  Sep- 
tomber,  and  according  to  the  observations  of  Audubon, 
pass  nearly,  if  not  quite  the  whole  winter,  in  the  cypress 
swamps  near  to  New  Orleans,  and  probably  in  the  Mexi- 
can vicinity.     He  ob«.-rved  them  about  the  middle  of  De- 
cember, and  also  near  to  the  close  of  January.    "  During 
the  whole  winter  many  retired  to  the  holes  around  houses, 
but  the  greater  number  resorted  to  the   lakes,  and  spent 
the  night  among  the  branches  of  the  wax  myrtle,"  whose 
berries  at  this  season,  afford  them  a  support  on  which  th< 
fatten    and  are  then  considered  as  excellent  food.     About 
sunset  they  usually  beg.-.n  to  flock  together,  at  a  peculiar 
cal'      -Hi  were  then    ecn  almost  in  clouds  mnv.ng  towards 
ihe  neighbouring  lagoons,  or  tho  estuaries  .-l   the  Missis- 
sippi.    Before  alighting,   they  perform  their  aerial  evolu- 
tions to  rrconnoitre  the   place  of  rooming  ;   soon   after 
which  they  rapir'ly  descend,   as  it  were  in   a  spiral   vor- 
tex   almost  like  the  fall  of  a  water-spout,  and  when  with- 
in 'a  few  feet  of  the  wax  inyrtles,  they  disperse,  and  set- 
tle at  leisure  ;   but  their  twitterinj'  and   the  motions  of 
their  wings  are  heard  (i.roughout  the  night.     At  dawn, 
they  rise,  at  first  flying  low  over  the  waters,  which  they 
almost  touch,  and  then,  rinii-.  gradually  separate  in  quest 
of  food.     During  their  low  flight,  numbers  of  them  are 


mmm 


hito  ;  and  they 

IT  and  guttural ; 
le»«  sociulile  in 
callow.     In  the 
pid  chatter  are 
kt  a  timo.  Their 
mentioned,  and 
ill    in  the  net  of 
B  South  in  Sep- 
ns  of   Audubon, 
,  in  the  cypress 
biy  in  the  Muxi- 
10  middle  of  De- 
niary.    "  During 
H  around  houses, 
lakes,  and  spent 
[  myrtle,"  whose 
[)rton  which  till 
cnt  food.     About 
ler,  at  a  peculiar 
I  moving  towards 
es  (.1   the  Missis- 
heir  aerial  evolu- 
ling  ;   soon  after 
I  in   a  spiral   vor- 
,  and  when  with- 
(lisperse,  and  set- 
ij  the  motions  of 
night.     At  dawn, 
.Iters,  which  they 
^  separate  in  quest 
hers  of  them  are 


HANK  HWALLOW,  OR  BAND  MARTIN. 


007 


oft«5n   killed   by  canoe-men  with  the  mere  aid   of  their 
paddloi.* 

Thi)  length  of thii fpflcie*  iiabout  .')|  iiiclie*,  nlar  extent  18.  Abora 
light  (jloHBy  (fret'iiiHli-liluP.  Wing*  and  tail  hrownish-lilnRk.  Ths 
eloMd  wiiigii  extHnd  nbout  a  quarter  of  an  inch  beyond  the  tail.  —  The 
femalt  ii  le«*  glusay  green. 


BANK  SWALLOW,  or  SAND  MARTIN. 

(Uirundo  riparia,  L.   Wilsow,  v.  p.  4C>.  pi.  38.  fig.  4.   Fhil.  Muieum, 

No.  7G37.) 

Sp.  CilARACT Above,   and  band  on    the   breaat  cinereous  brown; 

beneath  white;  tail  forked;  the  tami  naked,  with  a  few  tufU 
of  downy  feathers  behind.  — The  young,  at  fir«t,  have  th« 
feathtTH  Hlighily  bordered  with  nifoug,  this  edging  more  con- 
■picuouH  on  the  wing-coverts  ond  tertials. 

This  plain  looking  and  smaller  species,  though  equally 
gregarious  v.fith  other  kinds,  docs  not  court  the  protec- 
tion  or  society  of  man  ;  at  least  their  habitations  are  re- 
mote from  his.  They  commonly  take  possession  for  this 
purpose  of  the  sandy  bank  or  bluff  of  a  river,  quarry,  or« 
gravel  pit,  2  or  3  feet  below  the  upper  surface  of  the 
bank.  In  such  places,  in  the  month  of  April,  they  may 
be  observed  burrowing  horizontally  with  their  awl-like 
bills,  when,  at  length,  having  obtained  a  foot-hold  in  the 
cliff,  they  also  use  their  feet,  and  continue  this  labor 
to  the  depth  of  2  or  3  feet.  Several  of  these  holes  may 
be  often  seen  within  a  few  inches  of  each  other.  The 
nest  itself,  at  the  extremity  of  this  cavern,  is  loosely  made 
of  a  little  dry  grass,  and  a  few  downy  feathers.  The 
eggs  are  about  5,  and  pure  white.  They  have  generally 
two  broods  in  the  season ;  and  on  the  egress  of  the 
young,  in  the  latter  end  of  May,  the  piratical  Crows  often 
await  their  opportunity  to  destroy  them  as  they  issue  from 


*  Addddor.    Orn.  Biog.  i.  p.  3S6. 


608 


SWALLOW  TRIBE. 


the  nest.  In  rocky  countries  they  often  take  possession 
of  the  clefts  on  the  banks  of  rivers  for  their  dwelhng,  and 
sometimes   they    content   themselves   wUh  the  holes  of 

*' Their  voice  is  only  a  low  mutter ;  and.  while  busily  pass- 
in.  backwards  and  forwards  in  the  air  around  theu  nume- 
roL  burrows,  they  seem  at  a  distance  almost  s.m.lar  to 
hiving  bees.     As  they  arrive  earlier  than  other  speces 
L  cold   and  unsettled   weather  often  dr.ves  them    o 
refuge  into  their   holes,  where  they  cluster  together   for 
warmth,   and  have  thus  been  found  almost  reduced  to  a 
.tate  of  torpidity.     Dwelling  thus  shut  up,  they  are  o  en 
troubled   with   swarms  of  infesting  insects,  resembhng 
fleas    which    assemble   i«   great  numbers  around   the.r 
ho L;.    They  begin  to  depart  to  the  South  from  the  close 
o   S  ptember  to't.e  middlo  of  October.     Alt'.ough  t  ey 
avoid  dwelling  near  houses,  they  do  not  fly  ftom  settled 
vcinUies;    and  parties  of  G  or  more,  -era!   mdesf^m 
th.ir  nests,  have  been  seen  skimming  through   he  streets 
*  of  adjacent  villages  in  the  province  of  Normandy. 

In  theUuited  States,  they  are  known  to  breed  from 
Georgia  to  Maine,  and  were  seen  by  Lewis  and  Clarke 
!::;  the  coasts  of  the  Pacific.  They  are  also  eqaany 
common  to  Europe  and  South  Africa,  and  Anstote  re- 
lates  that  they  were  numerous  in  the  narrow  pass  of  the 
mountains  in  Greece.  \.     m  ■, 

The  Bank  Swallow  is  5  inches  long,  and  10  in  alar  streteh.    Tail 
forled,!  outer  feather  slightly  edged  with  whit.h.    W.ngs  and 

tail  darker  than  the  body. 

SWIFTS.     (Cypselus.  HKg') 

In  these  birds  the  B».i.  is  extremely  short,  triangular,  cleft  to  the 

Jes  Ip  esS  the  upper  n.andible  slightly  notched  and  curved  at 

r;ointNosTK..s lateral,  contiguous,  large,  partly  covered  by  a 

11    ne,  lea  ^g  a  s.all  tubular  aperture.    To»au.  short,  wxde. 


often  take  possessioii 
)r  their  dwelling,  and 
;s    with  the  holes  of 

ind,  while  busily  pass- 
lir  around  their  nume- 
ince  almost  similar  to 
it   than  other  species, 
>ften  drives  them  for 
;y  cluster  together   for 
id  almost  reduced  to  a 
ihut  up,  they  are  often 
,g  insects,  resembling 
numbers  around   their 
e  South  from  the  close 
itober.     Although  they 

do  not  fly  from  settled 
)re,  several  miles  from 
ling  through  the  streets 
e  of  Normandy. 

known  to   breed  from 
1  by  Lewis  and  Clarke 

They  are   also  equally 
Ifrica,  and  Aristotle  re- 

the  narrow  pass  of  the 

and  10  in  alar  stretch.    Tail 
i  with  whitish.    Wings  and 

atrs.  Ulig.) 

'  short,  triangular,  cleft  to  the 
ightly  notched  and  curved  at 
us,  large,  partly  covered  by  a 
.erture.    Tohguii  short,  wide, 


CHIMNEY  SWIFT  OR  SWALLOW. 


609 


and  bifid  at  tip.  Fee<  very  short,  toes  divided,  hind  toe  shortest,  versa- 
tile, generally  directed  forward;  nails  retractile,  clianneled  beneath. 
mngs  extremely  long,  lat  primary  a  little  shorter  than  the  2d,  which 
is  longest.     Tail  of  10  feathers. 

The  sexes  and  young  nearly  alike  in  plumage ;  with  the  moult 
annual.  The  Swifts  live  still  more  in  the  air  than  the  Swallows, 
generally  flying  at  great  elevations  ;  they  flap  their  wings  only  at  in- 
tervals, and  appear  as  if  sailing  in  the  atmosphere  in  wide  circles. 
They  are  rarely  seen  at  rest,  and  tiien  upon  elevated  places,  but  nev- 
er on  the  ground.  They  make  their  nests  in  the  clefts  of  rocks,  in 
ruins,  and  in  chimneys,  some  choosing  a  plane  surface  on  i-hich  to 
rest  the  fabric  ;  in  others  the  materials  are  perpendicularly  aggluti- 
nated.  The  foreign  species  employ  soft  substances  for  the  nest, 
often  pilfered  from  the  Sparrow.  In  ours,  twigs  only  are  used  ;  in 
either,  the  material.^  are  attached  togetiier  by  a  viscous  substance 
secreted  from  the  stomach  of  the  bird,  which  acquires  hardness  and 
consistence  in  drying.  They  pass  the  greater  part  of  the  day  in 
their  rocsting-places.  The  eggs,  2  to  4,  are  spotless,  and  white.  Spe- 
cics  are  spread  over  the  whole  globe. 


CHIMNEY  SWIFT  or  SWALLOW. 

(Cypselus  pcUsgivs,  Temm.    Hirundo  pdasgin,  Wilson,  v.  p.  48. 
pi.  39.  fig.  1.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  7C63.) 

Sp.Chab  ACT.  — Sooty-brown;  chin  and  line  over  the  eye  dull  whit- 
ish ;  wings  extending  far  beyond  the  tail ;  tail  even,  with  the 
feathers  mucronate. 

This  singular  bird,  after  passing  the  winter  in  tropical 
America,  arrives  in  the  Middle  and  Northern  States  late 
in  April  or  early  in  May.  Tneir  migrations  extend,  at 
least,  to  the  sources  of  the  Mississippi,  where  they  were 
observed  by  Mr.  Say.  More  social  than  the  foreign  spe- 
cies,  which  frequent  rocks  and  ruins,  our  Swift  takes  ad- 
vantage of  unoccupied  and  lofty  chimneys,  their  original 
roost  and  nesting  situation  being  tall  gigantic  hollow 
trees,  such  as  the  elm  and  button-wood  (Plat anus).  The 
nest  is  formed  of  slender  twigs,  neatly  interlaced,  .some- 
what like  a   basket,  and  connected  sufficiently  together 


610 


SWALLOW  TRIBE, 


by  a  copious  quantity  of  adhesive  gum  or  mucilage  se- 
creted  by  the   stomach  of  the  curious  architect.    Ihis 
rude  cradle  of  the    young  is  small  and  shallow,  and  at- 
tached, at  the  sides,  to  the  wall  of  some  chimney,  or  the 
inner  surface  of  a  hollow  tree  :  it  is   wholly  destitute  of 
lining      The  eggs  are  usually  4.  and  white.     They  have 
commonly  two  broods  in   the  season.     So   assiduous  are 
the  parents,  that  they  feed  the  young  through  the  greater 
part  of  the  night;  their  habits,  however,  are  nearly  noc- 
turnal,  as  they   fly  abroad  most  at  and   before  sunrise, 
and  in  the  twilight  of  evening.     The  noise   which  they 
make,  whi!e  passing  up  and  down  the  chimney  resem- 
bles  almost  the  rumbling  of  distant  thunder.     When  the 
nests  get  loosened  by  rains,  so  as  to  fall  down,  the  young 
thouah  blind,  find  means  to  escape,  by   creeping  up  and 
clinging  to  the  sides  of  the  chimney  walls  ;  in  this  situa- 
tion they  continue  to  be  fed  for  a  week  or  more.     Soon 
tired  of  their  hard  cradle,  they  generally  leave  it   long 
before  they  a'"  v"     ble  of  flying. 

On  their  firt    ar.i  al,  and  for  a  considerable  time  after, 
the  males,  particularly,  associate  to  roost  in  a  general  re- 
sort.    This  situation,   in  the  remote  and  unsettled  parts 
of  the  country,   is  usually  a  large,  hollow  tree,  open   at 
top.      These    well  known   Sicallow-trees    are   ignorantly 
supposed  to  be  the  winter  quarters  of  the  species,  where 
in  heaps,  they  doze  away  the  cold  season   in  a  state  of 
torpidity  ;  but  no  proof  of  the  fact  is  ever  adduced.    The 
length  of  time  such  trees  have  been  resorted  to  by  par- 
ticular flocks  may  be  conceived  perhaps,  by  the  account 
of  a  hollow  tree  of  this  kind  described  by  the  Rev.   Dr. 
Harris  in  his  Journal.  The  Platanus  alluded  to,  grew  m 
the  upper  part  of  Waterford  in  Ohio,  two  miles  from  the 
Muskingum,  and  its  hollow  trunk,  now  fallen,  of  the  di- 
ameter  of  5^  feet,  and  for  nearly  15  feet  upwards,  con- 


tE. 

I  gum  or  mucilage  se- 
rious architect.  This 
I  and  shallow,  and  at- 
"some  chimney,  or  the 

is  wholly  destitute  of 
ind  white.  They  have 
ion.  So  assiduous  are 
ing  through  the  greater 
iwever,  are  nearly  noc- 
Rt  and  before  sunrise, 
The  noise  which  they 
rn  the  chimney,  resem- 
it  thunder.  When  the 
to  full  down,  the  young, 
pe,  by  creeping  up  and 
ley  walls  ;  in  this  situa- 
a  week  or  more.     Soon 

generally  leave  it   long 

considerable  time  after, 
to  roost  in  a  general  re- 
ttote  and  unsettled  parts 
re,  hollow  tree,  open   at 
low-trees    are   ignorantly 
rs  of  the  species,  where, 
jld  season   in  a  state  of 
It  is  ever  adduced.    The 
been  resorted  to  by  par- 
perhaps,  by  the  account 
scribed   by  the  Rev.   Dr. 
tamis  alluded  to,  grew  in 
Dhio,  two  miles  from  the 
k,  now  fallen,  of  the  di- 
•ly  15  feet  upwards,  con- 


"T^ 


CHIMNEY  SWIFT  OR  SWALLOW. 


611 


tained  an  entire  mass  of  decayed  Swallow  feathers,  mixed 
with   brownish  dust  and  the  exuvia;  of  insects.     In  in- 
land towns  they  have  been  known  to  make  their  general 
roost  in  the  chimney  of  the  court-house.     Before  decend- 
ing,  they  fly  in  large  flocks,  making  many  ample  and  cir- 
cuitous sweeps  in  the  air;  and  as  the  point  of  the  vortex 
falls,  individuals  drop  into  the  chimney  by  degrees,  until 
the   whole  have  descended,  which  generally  takes  place 
in  the  dusk  of  the  evening.     They   all,  however,  disap- 
pear about  the  first   week  in   August.     Like  the  rest  of 
the  tribe,  the  Chimney  Swift   flies   very  quick,    and  with 
but  slight  vibrations  of  its  wings  ;  appearing  as  it  were  to 
swim  in  the  air  in  widening  circles,  shooting  backwards 
and  forwards  through  the  ambient  space  at  great  eleva- 
tions, and  yet  scarcely  moving  its  wings.     Now  and  then 
it  is  heard  to  utter,  in  a  hurried  manner,  a  sound  like 
tsip  tsip  tsiji  tsee  tscc.     It  is  never  seen  to  alight  but  in 
hollow  trees  or  chimneys,  and   appears  always  most  gay 
and  active  in  wet  and  gloomy  weather.     The  wonderful 
account  of  the   Swallow  roosts  in  Honduras,   given  by 
Captain  Henderson,  appears  to  be  r  ,tirely  applicable  to 
this  species. 

The  Chimney  Swift  is  4i  inches  in  length,  and  12  in  alar  extent. 
Feet  very  muscular,  the  claws  exceedingly  sharp.  The  closed  wings 
extend  IJ  inches  beyond  (he  tail,  which  is  rounded,  with  the  shafts 
extending  beyond  their  vanes  into  sharp,  strong,  and  very  elaatio 
points,  which  thus  afford  assistance  in  clinging  to  their  singular  roosta. 
The  eye  black,  surrounded  by  a  bare  blackish  skin  or  orbit. 


§  n.  — Nocturnal  Family.  ' 

With  the  head,  eyes,  and  ears  very  large.  The  middle  nail  gene- 
rally  pectinated  on  the  inner  side.  The  plumage  loose,  soft  and 
light,  as  in  Owls, 


312 


BWALLOW  TBIBS. 


NIGHT-HAWKS.     (Capbimulous.  L.) 

With  Uie  B.LI,  extremely  short,  feeble,  and  cleft  beyond  the  eyei; 
upper  mandible  almost  always  surrounded  wiUi  spreading  bristles, 
and  somewhat  hooked  at  the  tip,  the  margin  turned  outward.  Nos- 
trils basal,  wide,  partly  closed  by  a  feathered  membrane,  and  leav- 
ing uf.ually  a  tubular  opening.  Tongue  small,  acute,  and  entire. 
Feet,  tarsi  partly  feathered,  the  anterior  toes  united  by  a  small  mem- 
brane to  the  Ist  articulation  ;  the  hind  toe  reversible.  A'uils  very 
short, beneath  channeled.  Wings  long,  the  Ist  primary  shorter  than 
the  2d  nd  3d,  which  are  longest.  Tail  of  10  feathess.  —  Fma/e 
easily  aislinguishable  f-om  the  luale  ;  but  the  young  similar  wiUi  the 
adult.  They  moult  once  or  twice  in  the  year  ;  and  the  plumage  is  of 
dull  and  very  blended  colors. 

These  are  solitary,  shy,  and  sylvan  birds,  flying  rapidly  in  the 
twilight  and  night,  when  iheir  vision  is  more  acute.  Except  in 
cloudy  weather,  they  remain  concealed  by  day,  like  Owls  ;  and  in 
consequence  of  the  E.of\ness  of  their  feathers,  their  flight  is  nenrly  si- 
lent. They  hunt  for  moths  with  llie  mouth  extended  open.  They 
remain  constantly  paired,  and  in  the  breeding  season  flutter  their 
wings  like  Pigeons.  They  lay  one  or  two  large  eggs  on  the  ground, 
without  nest,  and  rarely  in  a  hollow  tree,  or  in  the  cleft  of  a  rock. 
The  voice  is  unpleasant,  quaint,  and  monotonous.  They  sometimes 
f  ISO  utter  a  booming  sound  in  flight,  usually  at  the  moment  of  rapidly 
descending  in  their  aerial  gyration..  They  inhabit  all  parU  of  the 
globe,  but  abound  in  the  warmer  parts  of  America. 


'  CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW.' 

(Caprimulff>ts  carolincnsis,  Gm.   Wii  son,  vi.  p.  05.  pi.   54.  fig.   2 

AuD.  pi.  52.    Orn.  i.  p.  273.  I'hil.  Museum,  No.  77^3.) 
Sp  Chabact.-tt Bristles  of  the  mouth  shorter  than  the  bill ;    tail 
"rounded,  reaching  an  inch  beyond  the  wings  ;  3  outer  tail-feath- 
ers white  on  the  inner  web  at  tip.     Length  12  inches.  —  Ftvuile, 
with  the  tip  of  the  3  outer  tail-feathers  dark  ochreous. 
The  Carolina  Goatsucker   is  seldom  seen  to  the  north 
of  Virginia,  though  in  the  interior  its  migrations  extend 
np  the  shores  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  38th  degree.     Af- 
ter wintering  in  sone  part  of  tlie  tropical   continent  of 


■:i-;i 


IS. 

RIMULOU8.    L.) 

and  cleft  beyond  the  eyei ; 
led  with  spreading  bristleB, 
■gin  turned  outward.  No»- 
hered  membrane,  and  lenv- 
E  small,  acute,  and  entire. 
;oe8  united  by  a  small  mem- 
toe  reversible.  JS'aiU  very 
the  1  at  primary  shorter  than 
II  of  10  feathess.  —  Fmai« 
t  the  young  similar  with  the 
year  ;  and  the  plumage  is  of 

>irds,  flying  rapidly  in  the 
is  more  acute.  Except  in 
1  by  day,  like  Owls  ;  and  in 
hers,  tiieir  flight  is  nenrly  si- 
outh  extended  open.  They 
)reeding  season  flutter  their 
vo  large  eggs  on  the  ground, 
■e,  or  in  the  cleft  of  a  rock, 
jnotonous.  They  sometimes 
ally  at  the  moment  of  rapidly 
?hey  inhabit  all  parts  of  the 
)f  America. 

•WIDOW.' 

ON,  vi.  p.  95.  pi.  .51.  fig.   2 
1.  Museum,  No.  7723.) 
h  shorter  than  the  bill ;    tail 
•he  wings  ;  3  outer  tail-feath- 
Length  12  inches.  —  f«7iiaZe, 
ers  dark  ochreons.  '* 

seldom  seen  to  the  north 
or  its  migrations  extend 
to  the  38th  degree.  Af- 
he  tropical   continent  of 


'chuck-will's-widow.' 


613 


America,  it  arrives  in  Georgia  and   Louisiana  about  the 
middle  of  March,  and  in  Virginia  early  in  April.     Like 
the  following  species,  it  commences  its  singular  serenade 
of  'ckuck-'wiirs-widow,  in  the  evening  soon  after   sunset 
and  continues  it  with  short  interruptions  for  several  hours' 
Towards  morning,  the  note  is  also  renewed,  until  the  open^ 
ing  dawn.     In  the  day,  like  some  wandering  spirit,  it  re- 
tires  to  secrecy  and  silence,  as  if  the  whole  had  only  been 
a  disturbed  dream.     In   a  still  evening  this  singular  call 
may  be  heard   for  half  a  mile,  its  tones  being   slower 
louder,  and  more  full  than  those  of  the  Whip-Poor-Will! 
The  species  is  particularly  numerous  in  the  vast  forests  of 
the  Mississippi,  where  throughout  the  evening  its  echoing 
notes  are   heard  in  the   solitary  glens,  and  from  the  sur- 
roundmg  and  silent  hills,  becoming  almost  incessant  dur- 
ing  the  shining  of  the  moon  ;  and  at  the  boding  sound  of 
Its  elfin  voice,  when  familiar  and  strongly  reiterated   the 
thoughtful,  superstitious  savage   becomes  sad  and  pen- 
sive.    Its  flight  is  low,    and  it  skims  only  a  few   feet 
above  the   surface  of  the  ground,  frequently  settling  on 
logs  and  fences,  from  whenc     it  often  sweeps  around  in 
pursuit  of  the  flying  moths  and  insects  which  constitute 
Us   food.      Sometimes   they  are   seen   sailing   near   the 
ground,  and  occasionally  descend  to  pick  up  a  beetle  or 
flutter  lightly  round  the  trunk  of  a  tree  in  quest  of  some 
insect  crawling  upon  the  bark.     In   rainy  and  gloomy 
weather,  they  remain  silent  in  the  hollow  log  which  affords 
them  and   the  bats  a  common   roost  and  refuge  by  day 
When  discovered  in   this   critical  situation,  and   without 
the  means  of  escape,  they  ruflle  up  their  feathers,  spread 
open  their  enormous  mouths,  and  utter  a  murmur  almost 
like  the  hissing  of  a  snake,  thus  endeavouring,  appparent- 
ly,  to   intimidate   their  enemy  when  cut   off"  from   the 
means  of  escape. 

52 


6U 


BW ALLOW  TRIBE. 


This  species,  like  most  others,  also  lays  .ts  eggs,  two 
in  number   merely  on   the   ground,  and  usually   m  the 

Ts     t     V  are  of  a  dark  olive,  sprinkled  w.th   darker 

rocs  'o  a^and  rather  large  ;  if  they  he  handled,  or  even 

Cln''  the  parents  suspicious  of  danger,  remove  them 

X:;her  place.  As  ear,,  ^  f  ^^^I^^IT' 
according  to  Audubon,  they  retire  from  the  U.  S    te. 

T..  spec-..  .  about  12  inc.es  Ion..  ^^^^^^^-^T^Z 
wUole  body  clothed  ^^i;^  Z^ZZ:^^,.^.,  and  her- 
,vith  brown,  rufous  Wack  ^/j^^  '    ,    ^„^„,,  ,  ,,ighl  band  of  whit- 

lighter. 


•WITIP-rOOR-WILL.' 

(Caprimulgus  rociferus,  W.i.son,  v.  p.  71.  pi.  41.  fig.  1,  2  3.) 
Sp  CH^RACT.-Bri«lks  on  the  cheeks  much  longer  than  the  bill ; 
^^ng^eatly  rounded,  reaching  one  half  beyond  the  w.ngs  ;  pnma. 


'WHIP-POOU-WILL.' 


U15 


ilso  lays  its  eggs,  two 
1,  and  usually   in   the 
iprinkled  with  darker 
oybe  handled,  or  even 
f  danger,  remove  them 
the  middle  of  August, 
from  the  U.  Slates, 
nd  i26  in  alar  extent.     The 
r  leas  sprinkled  and  mottled 
le  tail  with  /ig-xag  and  her- 
,r«at  a  slight  band  of  whit- 
ruginous,  the  belly  and  vent 


-WILL.' 

V.  p.  71.  pi.  41.  fig.  1,2,  3.) 

•ks  much  longer  than  the  bill ; 
half  beyond  the  wings  ;  prima- 


ries chequered  with  dark  spots.  —  Male,  with  the  3  outer  tail- 
feathers  white  Bt  the  summits.  —  In  the  female  tlie  same  part  is 
pale  ochreous,  as  well  as  the  crescent  line  on  tlie  throat, 

Tm.s  remarkahle  and  well  known  nocturniil  bird  ar- 
rives in  the  Middio  States  about  tlie  close  of  April,  or 
the  beginning  of  May,  and  proceeds,  in  his  vernal  migra- 
tions along  tiie  Atlantic  Stales,  to  liie  centre  of  Massa- 
chusetts, being  rare  and  seldom  £aen  beyond  the  latitude 
of  43°  ;  and  yet  in  llie  interior  >.."  ihe  continent,  accord- 
ing to  Vieillotl,  they  continue  as  far  as  Hudson's  bay,  and 
were  heard,  as  usual,  by  Mr.  Say,  at  Penibino  in  the 
high  latitude  of  49°.  In  all  this  vast  intermediate  space, 
as  far  south  as  Natchez  on  the  Mississippi,  and  the  inte- 
rior of  Arkansas,  they  familiarly  breed  and  take  up  their 
temporary  residence.  In  the  eastern  part  of  Massachu- 
setts, however,  they  are  uncommon,  and  always  alTect  shel- 
tered, wild,  and  hilly  situations.  About  the  same  time 
that  the  sweetly  echoing  voice  of  the  Cuckoo  is  first 
heard  in  the  north  of  Europe,  issuing  from  the  leafy 
groves,  as  the  sure  harbinger  of  the  flowery  month  of 
May,  arrivi.s  amongst  us,  in  the  shades  of  night,  the  myste- 
rious *  Whip-puor-wilL'  The  well  known  saddening  sound 
is  first  only  heard  in  the  distant  forest,  reechoing  from 
the  lonely  glen  or  rocky  cliff;  at  length,  the  oft-told  soli- 
tary tale  is  uttered  from  the  fence  of  the  adjoining  field  or 
garden,  and  sometimes  the  slumbering  inmates  of  the 
cottage  are  serenaded  from  the  low  roof  or  from  some  dis- 
tant shed.  Superstition,  gathering  terror  from  every  ex- 
traordinary feature  of  nature,  has  not  suffered  this  harm- 
less nocturnal  babbler  to  escape  suspicion,  and  his  fa- 
miliar approaches  arc  sometimes  dreaded  as  an  omen  of 
idisfortune. 

In  the  lower  part  of  the  state  of  Delaware,  I  have  found 
these  birds  troablesomely  abundant  in  the  breeding  sea- 


616 


8WALL0W  XaiBE. 


son,  so  that  the  reiterated  echoes  of  'whip-' whip-poor-will, 
'whip-peri-will,  issuing  from  several  birds  at  tlie  same 
time,  occasioned  such  a  confused  vociferation,  as  at  first 
to  banish  sleep.  This  call,  except  in  moonlight  nights, 
is  continued  usually  till  midnight,  when  they  cease  until 
again  aroused,  for  a  while,  at  the  commencement  of  twi- 
light. The  first  and  last  syllables  of  this  brief  ditty  receive 
the  strongest  emphasis,  and,  now  and  then,  a  sort  of  guttu- 
ral clufk  is  heard  between  the  repetitions,  but  the  whole 
phrase  is  uttered  in  little  more  than  a  second  of  time. 

But  if  superstition  takes  alarm  at  our  familiar  and  simple 
species,  what  would  be  thought  by  the  ignorant  of  a  South 
American  kind,  large  as  the  Wood  Owl,  which,  in  the  lone- 
ly  forests  of  Demerara,  about  midnight  breaks  out,  la- 
menting like  one  in  deep  distress,  and  in  a  tone  more 
dismal  even  than  the  painful  hexachord  of  the  slothful  Ai. 
The  sounds,  like  the  expiring  sighs  of  some  agonizing 
victim,  begin  with  a  high  loud  note,  "  ha,  ha,  ha  ha  ha ! 
ha!  ha!  "  each  tone  falling  lower  and  lower,  till  the  last 
syllable  is  scarcely  heard,  pausing  a  moment  or  two  be- 
tween this  reiterated  tale  of  seeming  sadness. 

Four  other  species  of  the  Goatsucker,  according  to 
Waterton,  also  inhabit  this  tropical  wilderness,  among 
which  also  is  included  our  present  subject.  Figure  to 
yourself  the  surprise  and  wonder  of  the  stranger  who 
takes  up  his  solitary  abode  for  the  first  night  amidst  these 
awful  and  interminable  forests,  when,  at  twilight,  he  be- 
gins to  be  assailed  familiarly  with  a  spectral  equivocal 
bird,  approachin-  within  a  few  yards,  and  thrti  accosting 
him  with  "  who-are-you,  'who-'who'-who-are-ijou  "  ?  An- 
other approaches,  and  bids  him,  as  if  a  slave  under 
the  lash,  "  loork-away,  work-roork-work-away  "  ;  a  third 
mournfully  cries,  "  willy-conu-go ! ' willy -willy^eillyeome- 
go !  "  and  as  you  get  among  the  high  lands,  our  old  ac- 


DE. 


if  'whip- whip-poor-will, 
oral  I)ir<l9   ut  the   same 

vociferation,  as  at  first 
)t  in  moonlight  nights, 

when  thoy  cease  until 
commencement  of  twi- 
)f  this  brief  ditty  receive 
ind  then,  a  sort  of  guttu- 
)ctitions,  but  the   whole 
an  a  second  of  time, 
t  our  familiar  and  simple 
r  the  ignorant  of  a  South 
Owl,  which,  in  the  lone- 
idnight   breaks  out,  la- 
ss,  and  in  a  tone  more 
ichord  of  the  slothful  Ai. 
ighs  of  some   agonizing 
ote,  "  ha,  ha,  ha  ha  ha  ! 
Br  and  lower,  till  the  last 
ng  a  moment  or  two  ba- 
ling sadness, 
oatsucker,   according  to 
pical  wilderness,   among 
sent  subject.     Figure  to 
Jer  of  the  stranger   who 
e  first  night  amidst  these 
when,  at  twilight,  he  be- 
vith  a  spectral  equivocal 
yards,  and  th(?n  accosting 
ho'-tcho'arc-you  "  7     An- 
im,  as    if  a  slave   under 
\rk-work-away  "  ;  a  third 
0 .'  'willy-willy-willy-come- 
le  high  lands,  our  old  ae- 


'wiiip-poon-wiT,L.' 


617 


qunintnnco  vociferates  "  whip-poor-will, ' whip-' whip.' whip- 
poor-will !  "  It  is  therefore  not  surprising,  that  such  un- 
earthly sounds  should  be  considered  in  the  light  of  super- 
natural foreboding?  issuing  from  spectroa  in  the  guise 
of  birds. 

Although  our  Whip-Poor-Will  seems  to  speak  out  in 
such  plain  English,  to  the  ears  of  the  aboriginal  Delaware 
its  call  was  wccodlis,  thoughthis  was  probably  some  favor- 
ite phrase  or  interpretation,  which  served  it  for  a  name. 
The  Whip-Poor-Will,  when  engaged  in  these  nocturnal 
rambles,  is  seen  to  fly  within  a  few  feet  of  the  surface  in 
questof  moths  and  other  insects,  frequently,  where  abun- 
dant, aligiiting  around  the  house.  During  the  day  they 
retire  into  the  darkest  woods,  usually  on  high  ground, 
where  they  pass  the  time  in  silence  and  repose,  the  weak- 
ness of  their  sight  by  day  compelling  them  to  avoid  the 
glare  of  tfie  light. 

The  female  commences  laying  about  the  second  week  in 
May  in   the  Middle   States,  considerably  later  in  Massa- 
chusetts; she  is  at  no  pains  to  form  a  nest,  though  she  se- 
lects for  her  deposit  some  unfrequented  part  of  the  forest, 
near  a  pile  of  brush,  a  heap  of  leaves,  or  the  low  shelving 
of  a  hollow  rock,  and   always  in   a  dry  situation ;  here 
she  lays  2  eggs,  without  any  appearance  of  an  artificial 
bed.     They  are  of  a  dusky  bluish-white,  thickly  blotched 
with  dark  olive.     This  deficiency  of  nest  is  amply  made 
up  by  the  provision  of  nature,  for,  like  Partridges,  the 
young  are  soon   able  to  run   about  after  their  parents ; 
and,  until  the  growth  of  their   feathers,  they  seem  such 
shapeless  lumps  of  clay-colored  down,   that  it  becomes 
nearly  impossible  to  distinguish  them  from  the  ground  on 
which   they  repose.      Were  a  nest  present  in  the  expos- 
ed places  where  we  find  the  young,   none  would  escape 
detection.     The  mother,  also,  faithful  to  her  chartre   de- 
62* 


eie 


aWAU.OW  TRIBR. 


ceives  the  poMcngcr  by  prostratinjf  herself  alonj?  the 
ground  with  beating  wings,  as  if  in  r  <lying  -;ony. 
The  activity  of  the  young  and  old  in  walking,  and  the 
absence  of  a  nest,  widely  distinguishes  these  birds  from 
the  Swallows,  with  whi<h  they  are  nsHociatcd.  A  young 
fledged  bird  of  ibis  species,  presented  to  me,  ran  about 
with  great  celerity,  but  r(;fused  to  eat,  and  kept  continu- 
al'v  calling  out  at  short  inicrv h\e  pi-ugli,  in  a  low  mourn- 
ful note.* 

After  the  period  of  incubation,  or  about  the  middle  oi 
June,  tlio  vociferations  of  the  male  cease,  or  are  but 
rarelj  given.  Towards  the  close  of  summer,  previously  to 
their  departure,  they  are  again  occasionally  heard,  but 
their  note  is  now  languid  and  seldom  uttered  ;  and  early 
in  September  they  leave  us  for  the  more  genial  climate 
of  tropical  America,  being  there  found  giving  their  usual 
lively  cry  in  the  wilds  of  Cayenne  and  Demerara. 
They  enter  the  United  States  early  in  Ai.ril,  but  are 
some   weeks  probably  in  attaining  their  utmost  northern 

limit. 

1  heir  food  appears  to  be  large  moths,  beetles,  grass- 
hoppers, ants,  and  such  insects  as  frequent  the  bark  of 
decaying  timber.  Sometimes,  in  the  dusk,  they  will 
skim  within  a  few  feet  of  a  person,  making  a  low  chatter 
as  they  pass;  thfv  also,  in  common  with  other  species, 
flutter  occasionally  around  the  domestic  cattle  to  catch 
any  insects  which  approach  or  rest  upon  them,  and  hence 
the  mistaken  notion  of  their  sucking  goats,  while  they 
only  cleared    hem  of  molesting  vermin. 

The  Whip-poor-will  is  94  inches  Vmg,  and  19  in  the  Btretch  of  the 
wings.  Thebill  blackish  ;  nosUils  tubular.  Mouth  very  large,  pale 
flesh-color  within,  and  beset  along  the  sides  with  a  number  of  long 

"♦The  r«..-mbl«ice  of  thii  tone  to  that  of  the  Purple  Martini,  .omewhat «- 
markabla. 


r. 

ing  herself  aloni?  the 
■  in  r  <lying  .<,'ony. 
I  in  walking,  and  tho 
islies  these  birds  Irom 
iiHMociatcd.  A  young 
jnted  to  me,  ran  about 
eat,  and  kept  continu- 
<i-ugh,  in  a  low  inourn- 

or  about  the  middle  of 
lale  cease,  or  are  but 
f  summer,  previously  to 
ccasionally  heard,  but 
lorn  uttered  ;  and  early 
ho  more  genial  climate 
bund  4iving  their  usual 
ycnno  and  Demerara. 
arly  in  Ar)ril,  but  are 
g  their  utmost  northern 

e  moths,  beetles,  grass- 
as  frequent  the  bark  of 
in  the  dusk,  they  will 
n,  making  a  low  chatter 
ion  with  other  species, 
lomcstic  cattle  to  catch 
U  upon  them,  and  hence 
icking  goats,  while  they 
3rmin. 

,  and  19  in  the  stretch  of  the 
ulor.  Mouth  very  large,  pale 
Hides  with  a  number  of  long 


tba  Farple  Martin  is  toBiewbiit  re- 


NUiUT-IIAWK,  OR  NlflllT-JAR. 


GIO 


thick  briiti*!,  the  loriKeit  extending  more  than  ^  an  inoh  beyond  the 
point  ortliii  bill.  Kyei  bluiiih-blaok.  'i'lie  pluiiiai;ti  ubovi'  intricately 
'  arie|[ntfd  witli  black,  browniah-A'hite,  iind  ruHt-culor,  Hprinkled  and 
powder^-d  with  niiincrniia  minute  Htrenkii  and  HpntM.  Cppt-r  part  of 
the  head  li>rlit  brnwnish-irrey,  niarkt'd  with  a  lon^itudiiml  Htripe  of 
Slack,  witli  otIiiTH  paxiiing  out  from  it ;  tlii>  bark  iu  darker,  finely 
■treaked  with  a  lij^hter  color,  T'l**  scapulars  ore  very  liglit  yellow- 
ieh-white,  variegated  with  a  few  >  !ii)ue  spots  of  blnok.  Tuii  round- 
ed, of  10  teathers,  the  exterior  1^  inches  short 'T  thun  the  middle 
ones ;  tho  3  outer  feathers  on  each  sitle  are  blackish-browii  for  half 
their  leni;th,  and  from  thence  while  to  tli<  ir  sumniitH',  the  exterior 
one  is  edgt-d  with  deep  brown,  studded  with  paler  spots  ;  the  i  mid- 
dle ones  are  without  the  white  at  the  ends,  and  marked  with  herring- 
bone figures  of  block  and  pale  orhra  finely  powdered.  <'lieeks  and 
sides  of  ihe  head  nearly  of  a  briok-culor.  The  wings  elegantly  spot- 
ted with  very  light  and  dark  brown.  Chin  black,  with  small  brown 
spots.  A  narrow  semicirclp  of  white  passes  across  the  throat ;  breast 
and  belly  irregularly  mot  >'d  and  streaked  with  black  and  yellow 
ochre.  Legs  and  feet  of  a  'ight  purplish  flesh-color,  seamed  with 
white ;  the  former  feathered  before,  nearly  to  the  feet.  Middle  claw 
pectinated.  —  Tiiefnnale  is  about  an  inch  less. 


NIGHT-TTAWK,  or  NIGHT-JAR. 

(Cai/rimulffiis  rirginiitnus,  Bris9.     C.  americanun ,  Wilson,  v.  p,  66, 
pi,  40.  fig.  1.  nnd  2.     Phil.  Museum,  No.  77a3,  77*1.) 

Sp.  Ch  iract,  —  Bill  without  bristles  ;  tail  forked,  not  extending  as 
far  as  the  tips  of  th<>  wings ;  primaries  plain  blackish,  with  a 
whil'  -|Jot.  —  MaU,yiii.\\  a  triangular  spot  on  the  throat,  ond  a 
white  band  on  the  tail. 

Towards  the  close  of  April  the  Night-Hawk  arrives  in 
the  Middle  States,  and  early  in  May  they  are  first  seen 
near  the  sea-coast  of  Massachusetts,  which  at  all  times 
appears  to  be  a  favorite  resort.  In  the  interior  of  the 
continent  they  penetrate  as  far,  at  least,  as  the  sources  of 
the  Mississippi;  they  are  likewise  observed  around  the 
dreary  coasts  of  Hudson's  Bay,  and  breed  in  the  whole 
intermediate  region  to  the  more  temperate  and  elevated 


MM 


M 


i 


■itWMfiiliiiiiirti 


QBO  BWALI.OW  TRinr. 

parts  of  Ocorffin.    They  nro  now  commonly  R««cn  townr  h 
evening,  in  pairs,  sailing  rouinl  in  sweeping  circles,  high 
in  the  nir,  occasionally  descending  lower  to  capture  fly- 
ing insects,   chiefly  of  the  larger    kind,  such   as   wnsps, 
heetk'M.  and  moths.     About  the  middle  of  May,  or  later, 
the    female  selects  some  open  spot  in  the  woo<ls,  the  cor- 
ner of  a  corn-field,  or  dry  graveUy  '.noil,  on  which  to  de- 
posit her  eggs,  which  are  only  *:,  and  committed  to  the 
bare  ground,  where,  however,  from  the  similarity  of  tueir 
tint  with  the  soil,  they  are,  in  (act,  more  secure  (•  .;vi  <.h- 
•irvation  than  if  placed  in  a  nest.    They  are  nearly  oval, 
01  >  muddy  bluish-white,  marked  all  over  with  touches  of 
an    niber  color.     Here  the  mnl<;  and  his  mate  reside  dur- 
iur  '.he  period  of  incubation,  roosting  at  a  distance  from 
.^uch  other  on  the  ground,  or  in  the  neighbouring  trees  ; 
and  in  consequence  of  the  particular  formation  of  their 
feet,  I'ke  the  rest  oftho  genus,  the)  roost  or  sit  lengthwise 
on  the  branch.     During  the  progress  of  incubation,  the 
male   is  seen  frequently,  for  some  hours  before  nightfall, 
playing  about  in  the  air  over  the  favorite  spot,  mounting 
in  wide  circles,  occasionally  propelled  by  alternate  quick 
and  slow  vibrations  of  the  wings,  until  at  times  he  nearly 
ascends  beyond  the  reach  of  sight,  and  is  only  known  by 
his  sharp  and   sudden   squeak,  which  greatly  resembles 
the  flying  shriek  of  the  towering  Swift.     At  other  times 
he  is  seen  suddenly  to  precipitate  himself  downwards  for 
60  or  80  fett,  and  wheeling  up  again  as  rapidly  ;  at  which 
instant  a  hollow  whirr,  like   the  rapid  turning  of  a  spin- 
ning-wheel,   r  a  strong  blowing  into  the  bung-hole  of  an 
empty  hogshead,  is  h.urd,  and  supposed  to  be  produced 
by  the   action  of  the  air  in  the  open  mouth  of  the  bird. 
He  then   again  mounts  as  before,  j-iaying  about  in  his 
ascent,  and   giving  out  his  harsh  squeak,  till  in  a  few 
moments,  the  hovering  is  renewed  as  before  ;  and  at  this 


mnr. 

rommonly  nflen  towurh 
in  Hwecping  circlpc.  high 
ing  lower  to  cnpturo  fly- 
jr  kimi,  Mich  as  wnsps, 
miildle  of  May,  or  later, 
ot  in  the  woodN,  the  cor- 
ly  \noll,  on  which  to  dc- 
•i,  and  committed  to  the 
om  the  similarity  of  tUeir 
ict,  more  secure  (•  ';".i  f  >* 
It.  They  are  nearly  oval, 
(1  all  over  with  touches  of 
I  and  his  mate  reside  diir- 
osting  at  a  distance  from 
1  the  neighbouring  trees  ; 
iciilar  formation  of  their 
ic)  roost  or  sit  lengthwise 
ogress  of  incubation,  the 
ne  hours  before  nightfall, 
0  favorite  spot,  mounting 
ipcUed  by  alternate  quick 
B,  until  at  times  lie  nearly 
;ht,  and  is  only  known  by 

which  greatly  resembles 
ig  Swift.  At  other  times 
te  himself  downwards  for 
gain  as  rapidly  ;  at  which 
le  rapid  turning  of  a  spin- 
;  into  the  bung-hole  of  an 

supposed  to  be  produced 
5  open  mouth  of  the  bird. 
)re,  jilaying  about  in  his 
rsh  sqteak,  till  in  a  few 
^ed  as  before  ;  and  at  this 


MOUT-UAWK,  OR  NIUIiT-iAn. 


021 


occupation,  the  male  solely  continues  till  the  close  uf 
twilight.  The  European  species  is  heard  to  utter  the  hoU 
low  whirr  when  perched,  and  while  holding  it  head  down- 
wards, HO  that  it  does  not  appear  to  be  produced  by  the 
rushing  of  the  air.  The  female,  if  disturbed  while  sitting 
on  her  charge,  will  suffer  the  spectator  to  advance  within 
a  foot  or  two  of  her  before  she  leaves  the  nest ;  she  then 
tumbles  about  and  HuUers  with  an  appearance  of  lame- 
ness, to  draw  off  the  obworver,  when,  at  length,  xho 
mounts  into  the  air  and  disappears.  On  other  occasions, 
the  parent,  probably  the  attending  male,  puffs  himself  up 
aa  it  were  into  a  ball  of  feathers  ;  at  the  same  time  strik- 
ing his  wings  on  the  ground,  and  opening  his  capacious 
mouth  to  its  full  extent,  he  stares  wildly,  and  utters  a 
blowing  hijs,  like  that  of  the  Barn  Owl  when  surprised 
2  in  his  hole.  On  observing  this  grotesque  manwuvre,  and 
this  appearance  so  unlike  that  of  a  volatile  bird,  wo  are 
struck  with  the  propriety  of  the  metaphorical  French 
name  of  '  Crapaud  volans,'  or  Flying  Toad,  which  it  in- 
deed much  resembles  while  thus  shapelessly  tumbling  be- 
fore the  astonished  spectator.  The  same  feint  is  also 
made  when  they  are  wounded,  on  being  approached. 
Like  some  of  the  other  species,  instinctively  vigilant  for 
the  safety  of  their  misshapen  and  tender  brood,  they  also 
probably  convey  tiiom  or  the  eggs  from  the  scrutiny  of 
the  meddling  observer.  In  our  climat'j  they  have  no 
more  than  a  single  brood. 

Sometimes  the  Night-Hawk,  before  his  departure,  is 
seen  to  vi.sit  the  towns  and  cities,  sailing  in  circles,  and 
uttering  his  queak  as  he  flies  high  and  securely  over 
the  busy  streets,  occasionally  sweciiiig  down,  as  usual, 
with  his  whirring  notes;  and  at  times  he  may  be  observ- 
ed, even  on  the  tops  of  chimneys,  uttering  his  harsh  call. 
In  gloomy  weather,  they  are    abroad  nearly  the   whole 


G23 


BW ALLOW  TRIBE. 


day,  but  are  most  commonly  in  motion  an  hour  or  two 
before  dusk.  Sometimes,  indeed  they  are  seen  out  m  the 
brightest  and  hottest  weather,  and  occasionally,  wh.le 
basking  in  the  sun,  find  means  to  give  chase  to  the  C^• 
cindeli,  Carabi,  an-^  other  entirely  diurnahnsects,  as  well 
a.  grasshoppers,  w.th  which  they  often  gorge  themse  ves 
in  a  surprising  manner  ;  but  they  probably  seldom  feed 
more  than  an  hour  or  two  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

About  the  middle  of  August,  they  begin  the.r  migra- 
tions towards  the  south,  on  which  occasion  they  may  be 
seen  in   the     voning   moving  in   scattered  flocks    con- 
sisting of  several  hundreds  together,  and  darting  after  in- 
sects, or  feeding  leisurely,  as  they  advance  towards  more 
congenial  climes.     Fc  two  or  three  weeks  these  proces- 
sions along  the  rivers  and  their   banks,  tending  towards 
their  destination,  are  still  continued.      Mingled  with  the 
wandering  host,  are  sometimes  also  seen  the   different 
species  of  Swallow,  a  family  to  which  they  are  so  much 
E  in  habits  and  character  ;  but  by  the  20th  of  Septem- 
ber the  whole  busy  troop  have  disappeared  for  the  season. 
The  Night-Hawk  is  9i  inches  in  length,  and  23  in  alar  extent 
Ab?ve  deep  blackish-brown,  powdered,  on  the  back,  scapulars,  and 
hiTwih  innumerable  spots  and  touches  of  a  pale  "eam-color  and 
fnttrersed  with  rufous  specks.    A  spot  of  white  extends  oyer  the  o 
fiTprilrter.     Below  marked  with  transverse  line,  of  dusky  and 
yellowish.  -  Female  an  inch  shorter. 


motion  an  hour  or  two 

they  are  seen  out  in  the 

and  occasionally,   while 

to  give  chase  to  the  Ci- 

ly  diurnal  insects,  as  well 

y  often  gorge  themselves 

ey  probably  seldom  feed 

e  course  of  the  day. 

they  begin  their   migra- 
ich  occasion  they   may  be 
in   scattered  flocks,   con- 
ther,  and  darting  after  in- 
ley  advance  towards  more 
three  weeks  these  proces- 
r   banks,  tending  towards 
nued.      Mingled  with  the 
s  also  seen  the  different 
o  which  they  are  so  much 
but  by  the  20th  of  Septem- 
disappeared  for  the  season. 
,  length,  and  23  in  alar  extent, 
ed,  on  the  back,  soapulars,  and 
uches  of  a  pale  cream-color,  and 
spot  of  white  extends  over  the  5 
J  transverse  lines  of  dusky  and 


ORDER  NINTH. 


1 


PIGEON  TRIBE.     (Colttmbini,  Itlig.,  &c.) 

The  BILL  of  moderate  size,  compressed,  vaulted,  tur- 
gid towards  the  tip,  which  is  more  or  less  curved ;  the 
base  of  the  upper  mandible  covered  with  a  soft  skin,  pro- 
tuberant at  its  base,  in  which  the  nostrils  are  situated. 
Nostrils  medial,  longitudinal.  Tongue  acute,  entire. 
Feet  short  and  rather  robust,  the  tarsi  reticulated  ;  toes 
divided.  PFin^s  moderate.  Tail  oi  12  or  14  feathers. 
—  The  female  generally  similar  in  plumage  to  the 
male.  The  young  differ  considerably  previous  to  the 
first  moult,  which  is  annual. 

The  birds  of  this  order,  in  their  mild  and  familiar 
manners,  have  a  near  relation  with  the  Gallinaceous  or- 
der following.  They  are  gregarious,  living  in  thick  for- 
ests, or  on  high  buildings.  Their  food,  consisting  of  grain 
and  seeds,  rarely  of  insects,  undergoes  a  preparatory  mace- 
ration in  the  crop,  before  passing  into  the  stomach,  and 
with  the  same  kind  of  prepared  and  disgorged  nutriment 
they  feed  their  young,  which  only  quit  the  nest  when  in 
a  condition  to  fly.  They  generally  build  in  forests,  or  in 
the  clefts  of  rocks,  ruins,  or  hollow  trees,  and  often  make 
a  loose  and  shallow  nest  of  small  twigs,  roomy  enough  to 
accommodate  both  sexes  ;  they  lay  generally  2  eggs,  sever- 
al times  in  a  year,  and  though  so  remarkably  gregarious, 
after  the  termination  of  the  breeding  season,  they  are 


.-A 


V  ^'1 


'M{\ 


624 


PIGEON  TRIBE. 


Still  said  to  be  paired  for  life.  At  this  time  the  male  is 
remarkable  for  his  assiduous  and  affectionate  address, 
rustling  with  the  wings,  billing,  and  cooing,  with  various 
gallant  evolutions.  They  commonly  quench  their  thirst 
at  a  single  draught,  at  the  same  time  immerging  the  bill 
into  the  water.  They  have  no  song,  or  other  note  than 
their  plaintive  and  monotonous  coo.  Species  are  found 
to  inhabit  all  climates,  but  they  are  most  numerous  in 
warm  countries. 


PIGEONS.     (CoLUMBA,  L.) 
The  character  of  the  genus  similar  with  that  oftl:..  arder. 


Subgenus.  —  Columba.  {Temm.  Bonav.) 

The  bill  moderately  robust,  straight,  aad  turgid  at  tip.  Tarsus 
rather  short.  Wings  lo*-  r  and  acute  ;  the  Ist  primary  somewhat 
shorter  than  the  2d,  wli      •      "'Ugest. 

These  live  in  wooded  Ci  ni -.nes,  building  in  trees  or  hollow  trunks, 
the  nest  of  twigs,  leaves,  feathers,  and  similar  substances.  Flight 
rapid  and  sonorous. 

t  Tail  short  and  even,  consisting  of  12  feathers. 

BAND-TAILED  PIGEON. 

(Columba  fasciata,SjL\,   Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  77.  pi.  8.  fig.   3. 
Phil.  Museum,  No.  4938.) 

Sp.  Charact. —  Purplish-grey  ;  a  white  band  behind  the  head ;  tail 
with  a  broad  blackish  bar  near  the  middle  ;  bill  yellow,  black  at 
tip. 

The  male  bird,  from  which  the  description  is  taken  by 
the  Prince  of  Musignano,  was,  it  appears,  shot  in  July 
by  Mr.  Titian  Peale,  near  a  saline  spring,  on  a  small 
tributary  of  the  river  Platte,  within  the  first  range  of  tfie 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  a  second  individual,  probably  the 
mate,  was  seen  with  it.  Of  its  manners  nothing  is  known, 
though,  from  the  season  of  the  year,  it  is  probable  that 
the  pair  had  commenced  incubation  in  the  vicinity. 


mm 


BE. 

At  this  time  the  male  is 
id  aiTectionate  address, 
md  cooing,  with  various 
only  quench  their  thirst 
time  immerging  the  bill 
ong,  or  other  note  than 
coo.  Species  are  found 
'  are  most  numerous  in 


[JMBA,  L.) 

'  with  that  of  til.,  order. 

Temm.  Bonav.) 

aad  turgid  at  tip.    Tarsus 
the  1st  primary  somewhat 

mg  in  trees  or  hollow  trunks, 
1   similar  substances.    Flight 

ing  of  12  feathers. 

PIGEON. 

Orn.  1.  p.  77.  pi.  8.  fig.  3. 
.  4938.) 

>  band  behind  the  head ;  tail 
niddle  ;  bill   yellow,  black  at 

!  description  is  taken  by 
it  appears,  shot  in  July 
line  spring,  on  a  small 
lin  the  first  range  of  the 
idividual,  probably  the 
nners  nothing  is  known, 
year,  it  is  probable  that 
ion  in  the  vicinity. 


ZENAIDA  DOVE. 


625 


The  specimen  was  13inches  long.    The  feet  yell.w,  and  the  nails 

of  a  br.  l.an.  golden-fp-een ;  under  part  of  the  neck  pale  vinaceous 
purple,  the  yent  paler.    Tail  slightly  rounded.  ^maceous 


WHITE-CROWNED  PIGEON. 

(Columhalcucocepkala,  L.  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  iii.  pi.  16.  fig.  i.  [fe- 

male.] 
Sp.CHABACT.-Slate-blue;   crown  cream-white;  bill  red.  whitish 

This  species,  well  known  as  an  inhabitant  of  Mexico 
and  the  West  Indies,   is  also  gregarious,  and   found  in 
great  numbers  on  the  rocks  of  the  Florida  Keys,  where 
they  breed  in  society,  and,  when  first  seen  in  the  spring 
feed  principally  upon  the   beach  plum,  and  the  berries  of 
a  kind  of  palm.     From  the  peculiar  selection  of  their 
breeding-places,  t!>ey  are  known,   in  some  of  the  West 
Indies,  particularly  Jamaica.  St.  Domingo,  and  Porto  Ri- 
CO.  by  the  name  of  Rock  Pigeons.  They  likewise  abound 
in  the  Bahama  Islands,  and  form  an  important  article  of 
food  to  the  inhabitants  ;  particularly  the  voung,  a.  they 
become  fully  grown.  '  ^ 

The  length  of  the  White-Crowned  Pigeon  is  about  14  inches  the 

a  ar  extent  23.    The  bill  red  at  the  base,  above  bluish-whUe      F^e 

ca  m.ne  red.     Iris  orange.    Cervical  space  small,  deep  purpH  h 

hang.ngtovioIet.surround.dby  a  larger  portion  ;f  scaly  Lthts,' 

usytfc'k         "    -r'"'^''  ^"^  ^"'^-  -«-"-     P'i-rie 


ZENAIDA  DOVE. 

iColumlm  ^cnaida,  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  iii.  pi.  15.  fig,  2.  [female  ])  ' 

^'■sooir/'-f""""^'"'^'  ^«"«''"'--— «=^;  anamethysUne 
rari;t;a:t^"^  "•  ^'^'^  ^  ''-''-''  ^'--'  ^-^hers 
53 


626 


PIGEON  TEIBE. 


This  beautiful  little  species  inhabits  the  Keys  of  Flor- 
ida  with  the  preceding,  but  is  rare.  It  is  also  known  to 
exist  in  the  neighbouring  island  of  Cuba.  They  keep 
much  on  the  ground,  where  they  dust  themselves  and 
swallow  gravel  to  assist  digestion.  When  rising  on  the 
wing,  the  same  whistling  noise  is  heard  from  the  motion 
of  their  wings  as  in  the  case  of  the  common  Carolina 
Turtle  Dove. 

The  Zenaida  Dove  measureB  only  10  inches.  Bill  black.  Iris  dwk 
brown  Feet  red.  Beneath  the  ears  a  Bmall  bright  and  deep  viola- 
ceouB  spot ;  above  thiB  also  a  smaller  one.  Anterior  cervical  region, 
with  metallic  golden-violet  reflections,  slightly  parsing  intogreenwh. 
Scapulare  spotted  with  block.  Quills  dusky  ;  the  secondaries  broad- 
ly terminated  with  white,  2d  primary  longest.    Tail  nearl,  even,  of 

12  feathers.  

jf    With  tht  tail  long,  and  eunnform. 

CAROLINA  PIGEON,  or  TURTLE  DOVE. 

{^Cdumba  carqlin.ensis,  L.  Wilson,  v.  p.  91.  pL  43.  fig.  1.    Phil. 

Muaeum,  No.) 
Sp  Char  act.  — Forehead  and  breast  vinaceous  ;  a  black  spot  under 
each  ear ;  tail  of  14  featliers,  with  4  of  the  lateral  ones  black  near 
the  extremity,  and  white  at  the  tip. 

This  almost  familiar  Pigeon,  in  the  course  of  the  spring 
leisurely  migrates  through  the  interior  as  far  as  to  Cana- 
da  though,  in  the   Eastern  States,  they   are  very   rarely 
met   with  to   the   north   of  Connecticut.     Many  appear 
sedentary    in   the  warmer   states,  where  they  breed  as 
far   south  as  Louisiana.     They  are  also  said  to  inhabit 
the  Antilles.     In  the  warmer  parts  of  the  Union  they 
commence  laying  early  in  April;  and  in  South  Carolina 
I  heard  their  plaintive  coo  on  the  29th  of  January  ;  but 
at  the  extremity  of  their   range   they  scarcely  begin  to 
breed  before  the  middle  of  May.     They  lay,  as  usual,  3 
eggs    of  a  pure  white,  an^  make  their  nest  in  the  hor- 
izonul  branches  of  trees.     It  is  formed  of  a  mere  layer 


ibits  the  Keys  of  Flor- 
I.  It  is  also  known  to 
)f  Cuba.  They  keep 
dust  themselves  and 
When  rising  on  the 
heard  from  the  motion 
the  common  Carolina 

ches.  Bill  black.  Irisdwrk 
mall  bright  and  deep  viola- 
!.  Anterior  cervical  region, 
ghtly  paawng  into  greeniah. 
sky  ;  the  Beoondaries  broad- 
ngest.    Tail  nearlj  even,  of 

d  cuneiform. 

TURTLE  DOVE. 

p.  91.  pi.  43.  fig.  1.    Phil. 

•) 

inaceous  ;  a  black  spot  under 

of  the  lateral  ones  black  near 

the  course  of  the  Gpring 
lerior  as  far  as  to  Cana- 
38,  they   are  very   rarely 
necticut.     Many  appear 
s,  where  they  breed  as 
are  also  said  to  inhabit 
arts  of  the  Union  they 
;  and  in  South  Carolina 
le  29th  of  January  ;  but 
3  they  scarcely  begin  to 
.     They  lay,  as  usual,  2 
LC  their  nest  in  the  hor- 
I  formed  of  a  mere  layer 


CAROLINA  PIGEON,  OR  TURTLE  DOVE. 


627 


of  twigs,  so  loosely  and  slovenly  put  together  as  to  appear 
scarcely  sufficient  to  prevent  the  young  from  falling  out. 

By  the  first  fine  days  of  the  early  sorlhern  spring  we 
hear  from  the  budding  trees  of  the  forest,  or  the  already 
blooming  thicket,  the  mournful  call  of  the  Carolina  Tur- 
tle Dove,  commencing  asjtwere  with  a  low  and  plaintive 
sigh,  a'gh  c6o  c6o  coo,  repeated  at  impressive  intervals  of 
half  a  minute,  and  heard  distinctly  to  a  considerable  dis- 
tance through  the  still  and  balmy  air  of  the  reviving  sea- 
son. This  sad  but  pleasing  note  is  also  more  distinguish- 
ed  at  this  time,  as  it  seeks  the  noon-day  warmth,  in 
which  to  utter  its  complaint,  and  where  it  is  now  heard 
without  a  rival. 

The  flight  of  this  species  is  rapid  and  protracted,  and, 
as  usual  in  the  genus,  accompanied  by  a  very  audible 
whistling  noise  ;  they  fly  out  often  in  wide  circles,  but  sel- 
dom rise  above  the  trees,  and  keep  out  near  the  skirt 
of  the  forest,  or  round  the  fences  and  fields,  which  they 
visit  with  considerable  familiarity,  gleaning  after  the  crop 
has  been  removed,  and  seldom  molesting  the  farmer,  ex- 
cept by  now  and  then  raising  up  a  few  grains  in  sowing- 
time,  which  may  happen  to  be  exposed  too  temptingly  to 
view.  The  usual  food  of  this  species  is  various  kinds  of 
grain  and  small  acorns,  as  well  as  the  berries  of  the  holly, 
dogwood,  poke,  whortle  and  partridge  berries,  with  other 
kinds,  accordiiig  to  the  season.  In  the  nuptid  period, 
the  wide  circling  flight  of  the  male  is  often  repeated, 
around  his  mate,  towards  whom  he  glides  with  wings 
and  tail  expanded,  and  gracefully  alights  on  the  same  or 
some  adjoining  tree,  where  she  r  ;ceives  his  attentions,  or 
fosters  her  eggs  and  infant  brood.  On  alighting  they 
spread  out  their  flowing  train  in  a  graceful  attitude,  ac- 
compuiivirg  the  motion  by  a  clucking,  and  balancinr  of 
the  nt* '.  Mild  head,  evincing  the  lively  emotion  and  mu- 


■»   '.'J 


'^'S^m^m^^m&^m^M 


l-rl 


(^ 


ggS  PIGEON  TRIBE. 

tual  affaction  they  cherish.  When  the  female  now  con- 
fines herself  to  her  eggs,  her  constant  mate  is  seen  feed- 
ing her  with  a  delicate  and  assiduous  attention,  and  the 
sentimental  scene  appears  almost  like  the  living  reality 
of  the  fable  of  Psyche  and  Love. 

The  roosting-places  preferred  by  the  Carolina  Turtle 
Dove  are  among  the  long  and  unshorn  grass  of  neglected 
fields,  in  the  slight  shelter  of  corn-stalks,  or  the  borders 
of  meadows  ;  they  also  occasionally  seek  harbour  among 
the  nestling  and  falling  leaves,  and  amidst  the  thick 
brances  of  various  evergreens.  But  in  every  situation, 
even  though  in  darkness,  they  are  so  vigilant  as  to  fly  at 
the  instant  of  approach.  They  do  not  huddle  together,  but 
take  up  their  rest  in  solitude,  though  a  whole  flock  may  be 
in  the  same  field  ;  they  also  frequently  resort  to  the  same 
roosting-places  if  not  materially  molested.  It  is  a  hardy 
species,  enduring  considerable  cold,  and  some  remain 
even  in  the  Middle  as  well  as  the  Southern  States  through- 
out the  year  ;  they  are  far  less  gregarious  and  migratory 
than  the  common  Wild  Pigeon.  When  their  food  be- 
comes scanty  in  the  fields,  in  the  course  of  the  winter, 
they  approach  the  farm,  feeding  among  the  poultry,  with 
the  Blackbirds,  Sparrows,  and  other  guests  of  the  same 
accidental  bounty,  and,  if  allowed  without  reprisal,  appear 
as  gentle  as  domestic  Doves.  Raised  from  the  nest, 
they  are  easily  tamed,  and  instances  are  known  of  their 
breeding  in  confinement.  Their  flesh  is  also  much  es- 
teemed, and  by  some  considered  as  scarcely  inferior  to 
that  of  the  Snipe  or  Woodcock. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  about  12  inches,  alar  extent  17.  Bill 
blackish,  purplish  red  at  the  base;  feet  also  of  the  latter  color.  Crown 
and  upper  part  of  the  neck,  greenish-blue.  The  general  color  above 
pale  yellowish-brown.  Some  of  the  inner  wing-coverU  spotted  with 
black.    Below  brownish-yellow. 


I  the  female  now  con- 
ant  mate  is  seen  feed- 
)us  attention,  and  the 
ike  the  living  reality 

the  Carolina  Turtle 
»rn  grass  of  neglected 
stalks,  or  the  borders 
■  seek  harbour  among 
nd  amidst  the  thick 
lut  in  every  situation, 
so  vigilant  as  to  fly  at 
t  huddle  together,  but 
I  a  whole  flock  may  be 
itly  resort  to  the  same 
)!ested.  It  is  a  hardy 
d,  and  some  remain 
ithern  States  through- 
various  and  migratory 
When  their  food  be- 
course  of  the  winter, 
long  the  poultry,  with 
r  gueste  of  the  same 
ithout  reprisal,  appear 
aised  from  the  nest, 
s  are  known  of  their 
flesh  is  also  much  es- 
as  scarcely  inferior  to 

iches,  alar  extent  17.    Bill 

[)  of  the  latter  color.  Crown 

The  general  color  above 

wing-coverts  spotted  with 


PASSENGER  PIGEON. 

(Columba  migratoria,  L.  Wir.soN,  v.  p.  1(I8.  pi.  44.  dg.  1.  [male,] 
Add.  pi.  02.    Om.  i.  p.  31!).    Phil.  Museum,  No.) 

Sp.  Charaot.  —  Bluish-grey ;  belly  white ;  throat,  breast,  and  sides 
vinaceouB ;  tail  black,  of  12  feathers,  the  5  lateral  ones  whitish.  — 
Female  paler,  with  the  breast  cinereouH  brown.  —  Young  of  a  dull 
muddy  grey,  spotted  with  whitish. 

The  Wild  Pigeon  of  America,  so  wonderful  for  its  gre- 
garious habits,  is  met  with  more  or  less  according  to 
circumstances  from  Mexico  to  Hudson's  Bry,  in  which 
inhospitable  region  they  are  even  seen  in  December, 
weathering  the  severity  of  the  climate  with  indifference, 
and  supporting  themselves  upon  the  meagre  buds  of  the 
juniper,  when  the  ground  is  hidden  by  inundating  snows. 
To  the  west  they  are  found  to  the  base  of  the  Northern 
Andes  or  Rocky  Mountains,  but  do  not  appear  to  be 
known  beyond  this  natural  barrier  to  their  devious  wan- 
63» 


«*"l*^~ 


680  PIGEON  TRIBE. 

derings.  As  might  be  supposed  from  its  extraordinary 
history,  it  is  formed  with  peculiar  strength  of  wing,  mov- 
ing through  the  air  with  extreme  rapidity,  urging  its 
flight  also  by  «iuick  and  very  muscular  strokes.  During 
the  season  of  amorous  address  it  often  flies  out  in  numer- 
ous hovering  circles;  and  while  thus  engaged,  the  tips  of 
the  great  wing  feathers  are  heard  to  strike  against  each 
other,  so  as  to  produce  a  very  audible  sound. 

'The   almost  incredible   and  unparalleled  associations 
which  the  species   form  with  each  other,  appear  to  have 
no  relation  with  the  usual  motives  to  migration  among 
other  birds.     A  general  and  mutual  attachment  seems  to 
occasion  this  congregating  propensity.    Nearly  the  whole 
species,  which  at  any  one  time  inhabit  the  continent,  are 
found  together  in  the  same  place ;  they  do  not  fly  from 
climate,  as  they  are  capable  of  enduring  its  severity  and 
extremes.     They   are   even    found  to  breed  in   the   lati- 
tude of  510  round   Hudson's   Bay,  and  the  interior  of 
New  Hampshire,   as  well    as  in  the  32d   degree  in  the 
dense  forests  of  the  great  valley  of  the  Mississippi.     The 
accidental  situation  of  their  food   alone  directs  all  their 
movements  ;   while  this  continues  to  be  supplied,  they 
sometimes  remain  sedentary  in  a  particular  district,  as  in 
the  dense  forests  of  Kentucky,  where  the  great  body  re- 
mained for    years  in  succession,  and  were  scarcely  else- 
where to  be  found  ;  and   here,  at  length,  when  the  mast 
happened    to  fail,  they  disappeared   for   several   years. 
Tim  rapidity   of    flight,    so    necessary   in    their  vast 
domestic   movements,   is  sufficiently  remarkable.     The 
Pigeons  killed   near  the  city  of  New    York,  have   been 
founri  with  their  crops  full  of  rice  collected  in  the  planta- 
tions nf  Georgia  or  Carolina;  and  as  this  kind  of  food  is  di- 
gested by  them  entirely  in  12  hours,  they  must  have  trivel- 
led  pii)!)ably  3  or  ^  hundred  miles  in  about  the  half  of  that 


rom  its  extraordinary 
trenglh  of  wing,  mov- 
rapidity,  urging  its 
ular  strokes.  During 
ten  flies  out  in  numer- 
iS  engaged,  the  tips  of 
to  strike  against  each 
lie  sound. 

>aralleled  associations 
other,  appear  to  have 
1  to  migration  among 
I  attachment  seems  to 
ity.   Nearly  the  whole 
abit  the  continent,  are 
;  they  do  not  fly  from 
iluring  its  severity  and 
to  breed   in   the  lati- 
y,  and  the  interior  of 
the  32d    degree  in  the 
the  Mississippi.     The 
alone  directs  all  their 
i  to  be  J- applied,  they 
articular  district,  as  in 
liere  the  great  body  re- 
nd were  scarcely  else- 
length,  when  the  mast 
•ed  for    several    years, 
cessary   in    their  vast 
itly  remarkable.     The 
Sfevv    York,  have   been 
collected  in  the  planta- 
s  tiiis  kind  of  food  is  di- 
,  they  must  have  trivel- 
,n  about  the  half  of  that 


PABSENaER  PIGEON. 


681 


time,  or  have  sped  at  the  rate  of  a  mile  in  a  minute. 
With  a  velocity  like  this,  our  Pigeon  might  visit  the  shores 
of  Europe  in  less  than  three  days  ;  and  in  fact,  according 
to  Fleming,  a  straggler  was  actually  shot  in  Scotland 
in  the  winter  of  1825.  Ansociated  with  this  rapidity  of 
flight,  must  also  be  the  extent  and  acuteness  of  their  vis- 
ion, or  otiierwise  the  object  of  their  motions  would  be  nuga- 
tory ;  so  that,  while  thus  darting  over  the  country  almost 
with  the  velocity  of  thought,  they  still  keep  up  a  strict 
survey  for  their  fare  ;  and,  in  passing  over  a  sterile  region, 
sail  high  in  the  air  with  a  widely  extended  front,  but  in- 
stantly drop  their  flight,  at  the  prospect  of  food,  flying 
low,  till  they  alight  near  an  ample  supply. 

The  associated  numbers  of  Wild  Pigeons,  the  numerous 
flocks  which  compose  the  general  swarm,  are  without  any 
other  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  feathered  race  ;  they  can 
indeed  alone  be  compared  to  the  finny  shoals  of  herrings, 
which,  descending  from  the  arctic   regions,  discolor  and 
fill  the  ocean  to  the  extent  of  mighty  kingdoms.    Of  their 
amazing   numbers,  and  the  circumstances  attendant  on 
it,  the  reader  will  do  well  to  consult  the  indefatigable  Wil- 
son and  the  celebrated  Audubon.    Our  limits,  and  more 
bounded  personal  information,  will  not  allow  us  to  enlarge 
on  this  curious  and  extraordinary  subject.     To  talk  of 
hundreds  of  millions  of  individuals  of  the  same   species 
habitually  associated  in  feeding,  roosting,  and  breeding, 
without  any  regard  to  climate  or  season,  as  an  operating 
cause  in  these  gregarious  movements,  would  at  first  ap- 
pear to  be  wholly  incredible,  if  not  borne  out  by  the  num- 
erous testimony  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  neighbouring 
districts.     The   approach  of  the  mighty  feathered   army 
with  a  loud  rushing  roar,  and  a  stirring  breeze,  attended 
by  a  sudden  darkness,  might  be  mistaken  for  a  fearful  tor- 
nado about  to  overwhelm  the  face  of  nature.  For  several 


632 


PIOKON  TIIIBB. 


hours  together  the  vast  host,  extending  «...  ■  miles  in 
breadth,  .till  continues  to  pass  in  flocks  withoui  o  u.nution. 
The  whole  air  is  filled  with  them  ;  their  muting  resembles 
a  shower  of  sleet,  and  they  shut  out  he  lid.t  »•  .f  it 
were  an  eclipse.  At  the  approach  oi  the  law'  their 
■ublime  and  beautiful  aerial  evolutions  are  distu.  u.d  like 
the  ruffling  squall  extending  over  the  placid  ocean  ;  as  a 
thundering  torrent  they  rush  together  in  a  concentrating 
mass  and  heaving  in  undulating  and  glittering  sweeps 
towards  the  earth,  at  length  again  proceed  in  lotty  mean- 
ders like  the  rushing  of  a  mighty  animated  river. 

But  the  Hawk  is  not  their  only  enemy,  tens  of  thou- 
sands  are  killed  in  various  ways  by  all  the  inhabitants 
ftr  and  near.  The  evolutions  of  the  feeding  Pigeons  as 
they  circle  round,  are  both  beautiful  and  amusing. 
Alighting,  they  industriously  search  through  tl..  wither- 
ed  leaves  for  their  favorite  mast;  those  behind  u-  con- 
tinuully  rising  and  passing  forward  in  front,  in  such  rap- 
id succession,  that  the  whole  flock,  still  circling  over  the 
ground,  seem  yet  on  the  wing. 

As  the  sun  begins  to  decline,  they  depart  m  a   body 
for  the  general  roost,  which   is  often  hundreds  of   miles 
distant,  and  is  generally  chosen  in  the  tallest  and  thickest 
forests  almost  divested  of  underwood.     Nothing  can  ex- 
ceed the  waste  and  desolation  of  these  nocturnal  resorts  ; 
the  vegetation  becomes  buried  by  their  excrements  to  the 
depth  of  several  inches.     The  tall  trees,  for  thousands  of 
acres  are  completely  killed,  ana  the  ground  strewed  with 
massy  branches  torn  down   by  the  clustering  weight  of 
the   birds  which  bnvo  rested  upon  them.    The  whole  re- 
gion for  several  n  presents  a  continued  scene  of  de- 
Tastation,  as  if  swept  by  .  iatless  blast  of  a  whirlwind. 
The  Honorable  T.  H    V.    ans,  informs  me  that  he  has 
seen  one  of  these  desolated  loosting-grounds  on  the  bor- 


(tending  aoim^  miles  in 
3cks  without  tl  I  iiiinution. 
;  their  uiuttDg  resembles 
t  out  he  light  «•  if  it 
ach  oi"  the  law'  their 
iitiona  are  dislui  >n;d  lilie 

the  placid  oceuii  ;  as  a 
3ther  in  a  concentrating 
g  and  glittering  sweeps 
a  proceed  in  lofty  mean- 

animuted  river, 
ily  enemy,  tens  of  thou- 
9  by  all  the  inhabitants 
f  the  feeding  Pigeons  as 
•eautiful  and  amusing, 
arch  through  th<  wither- 
t;  those  behind  ir-  con- 
ird  in  front,  in  sue  ii  rap- 
ck,  still  circling  over  the 

they  depart  in  a   body 
often  hundreds  of  miles 
in  the  tallest  and  thickest 
rwood.     Nothing  can  ex- 
f  these  nocturnal  resorts  ; 
y  their  excrements  to  the 
ill  trees,  for  thousands  of 
the  ground  strewed  with 
the  clustering   weight  of 
on  them.    The  whole  re- 
i  continued  scene  of  de- 
jtless  blast  of  a  whirlwind. 
,  informs  me  that  he  has 
►Bting-grounds  on  the  bor- 


.^    ...Jk. 


PASBENOKR  PIOEON. 


688 


ders  of  Lake  Champlain  in  New  York,  and  that  the  for- 
est to  a  great  cxt(!nt  presented  a  scene  of  total  ruin. 

The  breeUinff-places,  as  might  naturally  be  expected, 
diflfcr  from  the  roosts  iu  their  greater  extent.  In  1807, 
according  to  Wilson,  one  of  these  immense  nurseries, 
near  SliLlbyvillo  in  Kentucky,  was  several  miles  in 
breadll),  and  extended  through  the  woods  for  upwards  of 
40  miles  I  After  occupying  this  situation  for  a  succesaioa 
of  -reasons,  they  at  length  abandoned  it,  and  removed  00 
or  H(»  miles  off  to  the  banks  of  Green  river  in  the  same 
atati  where  they  congregated  in  equal  numbers.*  'I'hese 
situ  aion  em  regulated  by  the  prospect  of  a  supply  of 
food,  sutM  as  beech  and  oak  mast.  T' <  y  also  feed  on 
most  kinds  of  pulse  and  grain,  as  well  a.-<  whortie-bcrries, 
with  those  of  the  holly  and  nettle-tree.  Wilson  often  count- 
ed upwards  of  90  nests  in  a  single  tree,  and  the  whole  for- 
est was  filled  with  them.  These  frail  cradles  for  the  young 
are  merely  formed  of  a  few  slender  dead  twigs,  negli- 
gently put  together,  and  with  so  little  art,  that  the  con- 
cavity appears  scarcely  sufficient  for  the  transient  recep- 
tion of  the  young,  who -are  readily  seen  through  this  thin 
flooring  from  below.  The  eggs  are  white,  as  usual,  and 
only  two  in  number,  one  of  them  abortive,  according  to 
Wilson,  and  producing  usually  but  a  single  bird.  Auda- 
bon,  however,  asserts,  that  there  are  two,  as  in  the  tame 
Pigeons,  where  the  number  of  the  sexes  in  this  faithful 
tribe  are  almost  uniformly  equal.  Their  cooing  call, 
billing,  and  general  demeanor  are  apparently  quite  simi- 
lar to  the  behaviour  of  the  domestic  species  in  the  breeds 
ing-fieason.  Birds  of  prey,  and  rapacious  an>mals  gener- 
ally, are  pretty  regular  attendants  upon  these  assailable 

*  By  some  rcmarkablo  inadvertence,  tliii  place,  with  tUl  tha  drcumMtaneet,  is  de* 
actibed  by  Audubon  aa  a  roott  of  40  milei  by  3  in  brcadtli,  about  tlie  dimenaioni  of 
Wilion'i  btMdin|-plaae. 


m 


634 


rtacoN  TRinn. 


communities.     Bui  their  moot  cleftruclivo  enemy  in  man  ; 
and  an  Honn  as  the  youn>{  arc  fully  grown,  the  neighbour- 
ing  inhaliitauts  awemble,  and  encamp  for  novernl  days 
around   the  devoted   Pigeons   with  waggon*,  axes,   and 
cooking  utonsils,  like  the  outskirts  of  a  destructive  army. 
The   prrpotuni    tumult  of  the    birds,   the   crowding   and 
fluttering  multitudes,  the  thundering  roar  of  their  wings, 
and  the  crash  of  falling  trees,  from  which  the  young  are 
thus  precipitated  to  the  ground  by  the  axe,  produces   al- 
together  a  scent    of    indescribable   and   almost  terrific 
confusion.     It  is  dangerous  to  walk  beneath   these  clus- 
tering crowds  of  birds,  from  the  frequent  descent  of  large 
branches,   broken  down   by   the  congregating   millions; 
the  horses   start  at  the  noise,  and  conversation  can  only 
be  heard  in   a  shout.     These   squab$,  or  young  Pigeons, 
of  which  three  or  four  broods  ar«  produced  in  the  season, 
tre  extremely  fat  and  palatable,  and,  as  well  as  the  old 
birds  killed  at  the  roosts,  are  often,  with  a  wanton  prodi- 
ftlity  and  prodigious  slaughter,  strewed  on  the  ground 
u  fattening   food  for  the  hogs  !     At  the  roosts,  the  de- 
struction  is  no  less  extensive  ;  guns,  clubs,   long  poles, 
fots  of  burning  sulphur,  and  every  other  engine  of  de- 
•truction,  which  wanton   avarice  can  bring  forward,  are 
•II  employed  against  the  swarming  host.     Indeed  for  a 
time,  in  many  places,  nothing  'scarcely  is  seen,  talked  of, 
or  eaten,  but  Pigeons  ! 

In  the  Atlantic  States  where  the  flocks  are  less  abun- 
dant, the  gun,  decoy,  and  net  are  put  in  operation  against 
the  devoted  throng.  Twenty  or  even  thirty  dozen  have 
been  caught  at  a  single  sweep  of  the  net.  Wagon 
loads  of  them  are  poured  into  market,  where  they  are 
sometimes  sold  for  no  more  than  a  cent  a  piece.  Their 
combined  movements  are  also  sometimes  sulBciently  ex- 
tensive.    The   Honorable  T.   H.  Perkins  remarks,  that 


OBOUNO  DOVE. 


m. 

Kriiclivo  enomy  in  man  ; 
(T  grown,  the  neighbour- 
iicainp  for  iievernl  days 
itii  waggonM,  axent,   ftnd 
ts  of  a  destructive  army, 
irds,  the   crowding  and 
ring  roar  of  their  wings, 
im  which  the  young  are 
)y  tiie  axe,  produces  al- 
iblo   and    nlmost  terrific 
valk  beneath   these  clus- 
frequent  descent  of  large 
congregating  millions; 
id  conversation  can  only 
mabs,  or  young  Pigeons, 
B  produced  in  the  season, 
,  and,  as  well  as  the  old 
ten,  with  a  wanton  prodi- 
,  strewed  on  the  ground 
!     At  ».he  roosts,  the  da- 
guns,  clubs,  long  poles, 
ivery  other  engine  of  de- 
D  can  bring  forward,  are 
ming  host.     Indeed  for  a 
r.arcely  is  seen,  talked  of, 

the  flocks  are  less  abun- 
e  put  in  operation  against 
r  even  thirty  dozen  have 
sp  of  the  net.  Wagon 
>  market,  where  they  are 
in  a  cent  a  piece.  Their 
sometimes  sufficiently  ex- 
H.  Perkins  remarks,  that 


036 


about  thn  year  179H,  while  he  was  passing  through  Now 
Jersey,  near  Newark,  the  flocks  continued  to  pass  for  at 
least  two  hours  without  cessation  ;  and  he  learnt  from  the 
neighbouring  inhabitants,  that,  in  descending  upon  a  large 
pond  to  drink,  those  in  the  rear  alighting  on  tiie  backs  of 
the  first  that  arrived  (in  the  usual  order  of  their  move- 
ments on  land  to  feed),  pressed  them  beneath  the  surface, 
■o  that  tent)  of  tliouNands  were  thus  drowned.  The* 
were  likewise  killed  in  great  numbers  at  the  roost  with 
clubs. 

The  Wild  or  PoMenffer  Pigeon  is  about  10  incliei  long,  and  34  in 
alM  extent.  The  bill  black,  hit  fiery  orange.  Leg*  and  feet  lak« 
red.  Lower  part  ond  sides  of  the  neck  with  a  metallic  changeable  hue 
of  gold,  green,  and  purplish  crimson,  the  last  color  prevalent. 
Scapular  region  spotted  with  a  few  black  blotches.  Quill-feathers 
dusky.  —  t'nnale  somewhat  shorter,  tlie  chuugeable  cervical  spot 
■mailer  and  less  brilliant. 

Subgenus. — Gouha.  (Bonap.) 

The  Bii.r.  slender,  flexible,  scarcely  turgid  at  tip;  the  upper  man- 
dible furrowed  at  the  sides.  Nostrils  small,  orbicular,  situoted  in 
the  furrow.  Tahhi  rather  long.  H^ings  short,  rounded,  and  concave, 
the  Ist  primary  shorter  than  the  5th,  tlie  Jd  longest.  —  Toil  of  12 
feathers. 

These  birds  make  some  approaches  to  the  Gallinaceous  order.  The 
greater  number  dwell  on  the  ground,  where  they  breed.  The  young 
of  some  of  the  species  are  said  even  to  run  as  soon  as  hatched,  and 
seek  out  t'leir  own  sustenance. 


GROUND  DOVE. 

(Columba  passer iiM,  Wilson,  vi.  p.  15.  pi.  4*).  fig.  2.  &3.  [male  and 

female.]     Phil.  Museum,  Ho.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  The  scapulars  with  dark  spots ;  tail  rounded,  lateral 

feathers  black,  tipped  and  edged  with  white ;  bill  black  at  tip, 

and  with  the  feet  yellow. 


^^^,i^.;i  r-?-*' 


.VW' 


,  ui 


t| 


636 


PIOEON  TRIBE, 


The  Ground  Dove  is  an  inhabitant  of  all  the  states  of 
the  Union  south  of  Virginia,  and  is  met  with  albo  in  the 
West  Indies.  They  are  common  in  the  sea  islands  of 
the  Southern  States,  particularly  in  Sou»h  Carolina  and 
Georgia,  where  they  are  seen  in  small  uocks  of  from  15 
to  20.  They  are  found  usually  upon  the  ground,  and 
prefer  the  open  fields  and  cultivated  tracts  to  the  woods ; 
their  flight  is  seldom  protracted,  as  they  fly  out  commonly 
only  to  short  distances ;  though  on  the  approach  of  win- 
ter  they  retire  to  the  islands  and  milder  parts  of  the 
continent,  arriving  again  at  their  northern  resorts  early 
in  April.  Like  some  other  species  they  have  a  fre- 
quent jetting  motion  with  the  tail,  and  the  usual  tender 
cooing  and  gesticulations  of  the  tribe.  They  feed  on 
various  seeds  and  berries,  particularly  on  those  of  the 
tooth-ache  tree,  near  which  they  are  frequently  seen 
in  the  season.  They  likewise  feed  on  rice  and  other 
small  grain,  and  become  easily  tamed  and  reconciled  to 
the  cage ;  in  this  way  they  are  also  occasionally  fattened 
for  the  table,  and  are  particularly  esteemed  by  the  French 
planters. 

This  species  is  CJ  inches  long.  Front,  throat,  breast,  and  sides  of 
the  neck,  pale  vinaceous  purple ;  crown  and  hind-head  pale  blue, 
blended  with  purple.  Back,  cinereous  brown,  scapulars  tinged  with 
pale  purple  and  marked  with  oblong  spots  of  glossy  blue,  reflecting 
tinta  of  purple.  Belly  pale  vinaceoua  brown,  inclining  to  nereous 
near  the  vent  Quills  dusky,  tlie  inner  vanes  ferruginous.  Tail 
rounded,  the  2  middle  feathers  ciu.-eous  brov  ..,  the  rest  black,  tipt 
and  edged  with  white.  Legs  and  feet  yellow.  BK  yellow,  black  at 
tip.  Iris  orange  red.  — In  the  female  the  back  and  tail-cover's  are 
nearly  of  a  plain  mouse-color.  The  throat  bpeckled  with  dull  a  'hite, 
dusky,  and  muddy  yellowish  white  ;  the  spots  on  the  scapulars  dark 
purplish  blood-color,  reflecting  lints  of  blue. 


IE. 


itant  of  all  the  states  of 
1  is  met  with  albo  in  the 
1  in  the  sea  islands  of 
in  Sou»h  Carolina  and 
small  liocks  of  from  15 
upon  the  ground,  and 
ted  tracts  to  the  woods  ; 
is  they  fly  out  commonly 
tn  the  approach  of  win- 
nd  milder  parts  of  the 
r  northern  resorts  early 
ecies  they  have  a  fre- 
1,  and  the  usual  tender 
!  tribe.  They  feed  on 
sularly  on  those  of  the 
ley  are  frequently  seen 
feed  on  rice  and  other 
tamed  and  reconciled  to 
Iso  occasionally  fattened 
esteemed  by  the  French 

It,  throat,  breast,  and  sides  of 
m  and  hind-head  pale  blue, 
brown,  scapulars  tinged  with 
)otB  of  glossy  blue,  reflecting 
brown,  inclining  to  -nereous 
ner  vanes  ferruginous.  Tail 
us  brov  ..,  the  rest  black,  tipt 
yellow.  13i.  yellow,  black  at 
the  back  and  tail-cover's  are 
roatbpeckled  with  dull  A'hite, 
le  spots  on  the  scapulars  dark 
blue. 


ORDER    TENTH. 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS.    (Gallin^e,  Lin.  &c.) 

With  the  bill  short,  and  convex  ;  the  upper  manoible 
vaulted,  curved  from  its  base,  or  only  at  the  point.  Nos- 
TRiLS,  lateral,  half  covered  by  an  arched,  rigid  mem- 
brane. Feet  stout,  tarsus  long  ;  toes  usually  3  before, 
and  generally  1  behind  articulated  with  the  tarsus  higher 
than  the  rest,  and  scarcely  touching  the  ground  at  tip ; 
hind  toe  short  or  wanting  ;  nails  without  any  retractile 
motion.  Wings  generally  short,  rounded,  concave,  with 
the  quills  rigid  and  curved.  Tail  of  from  10  to  18  feath- 
ers, very  rarely  vvanting. 

The  female  smaller,  less  brilliant,  and  differing  from 
the  male  in  plumage.  The  young  at  first  covered  with 
down  only.     The  moult  annual. 

These  birds  are  generally  of  considerable  magnitude, 
with  the  body  very  fleshy  and  heavy,  and  the  head  small. 
They  also  keep  much  on  the  ground,  scratching  up  the 
earth  often  in  quest  of  their  food  ;  and  are  fond  of  bask- 
ing and  wallowing  in  the  dust.  They  subsist  essentially 
on  grain  and  seeds,  and  not  unfrequently  add  buHs,  ber- 
ries, and  larger  insects  to  their  fare,  and  like  mammalious 
animals  are  provided  with  a  muscular  bag  or  crop  in 
which  the  food  undergoes  a  preparatory  digestion,  and 
for  this  purpose  they  also  swallow  gravel,  &c.  They 
are  chiefly  polygamous  ;  the  females  alone  rearing  and 
educating  the  young.  The  nest  is  made  on  the  ground, 
and  without  art,  and  they  are  very  prolific,  the  eggs  be- 
ing numerous,  and  the  breeding  long  continued  •  the 
54 


638 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 


young  nin  about  and  feed  as  soon  as  hatched,  under  the 
direction  and  at  the  call  of  the  parent,  who  retains 
them  under  her  charge  until  autumn.  They  run  swift- 
ly take  to  wing  with  difRculty,  the  flight  being  limited 
and  low,  accompanied  by  a  whirring  produced  by  the 
rapid  vibration  of  the  wings  ;  very  few  undertake  any 
extensive  migrations.  The  voice  unpleasant,  consisting 
usually  of  a  crowing,  or  petulant  cackling.  The  flesh  is 
greatly  esteemed  for  food  in  all  countries  ;  the  domestic 
kinds  are  termed  poultry  ;    when  wild,  game. 


Family.  —  Gallinacei.  {Illig.) 
The  bill  thick  ;  nostrils  basal.    Fore  toes  connected  at  base  by  a 
membrane.    With  the  hind  toe  and  nail  never  wanting. 

TURKEYS.  (Meleagris,  Lin.) 
With  the  B.I.I,  entire,  and  at  base  covered  by  a  membrane  which 
is  prolonged  into  a  pendulous,  fleshy,  conic,  erectile,  hairy  caruncle. 
Nostrils  oblique.  Tlie  to.guk  fleshy  and  entire.  F.kt  rather 
loner ;  the  tarsus  naked,  provided  with  a  blunt  spur  in  the  male  ;  the 
mildle  toe  longest;  runl.  wide  and  blunt,  flat  beneath^  '^-^-^^  ' 
tlie  1st  primary  smallest,  4th  and  5th  longest.  Tad  of  14  to  18  dilat- 
ed feather.,  and  capable  of  a  vertical  e.xpansion. 

The  head  email,  naked,  and  warty,  as  well  as  half  the  neck,  the 
throat  provi.led  with  a  longitudinal,  carunculous  appendage;  and  a 
pendulous  b.istly  tuft  on  the  lower  portion  of  the  neck  at  ength, 
common  to  both  sexes.  The  feathers  long,  and  dilated  at  the  ex- 
tremitv  the  colors  metallic  and  brilliantly  iridescent,  varying  by  re- 
flection. The  fenudc  considerably  smaller,  with  dull  and  obscure 
plumage  ;  the  young  at  f.r.t  similar  to  the  female. 

The  Turkey,  though  gregarious,  is  nearly  sedentary  m  the  distncU 
where  it  is  bred.  They  dwell  generally  in  forests,  roosting  on  trees ; 
and  utter  a  gobbling  noise  at  the  dawn  of  day.  They  feed  on  gram 
an*  Aa«t.^*r-#«*  as  other  vegetable  substances.  They  are  very 
nuenaciouS  in  l!>e  breeding-season,  and  address  their  mates  in  pomp- 
ous  attitudes,  strutting  and  wheeling,.  &c.  They  are  also  easily  do- 
mesticated  and    betrayed,  and    are  now  naturalized  over  all  the 


«««» 


[RD3. 

;  as  Jiatched,  under  the 
parent,  who  retains 
umn.  They  run  swift- 
he  flight  being  limited 
rring  produced  by  the 
;ry  few  undertake  any 
I  unpleasant,  consisting 
cackling.  The  flesh  is 
oiintries  ;  the  domestic 
wild,  game. 

Er.  {Tllig.) 

toes  connected  at  base  by  a 

never  wanting. 

EAORis,  Lin.) 
vered  by  a  membrane  which 
jnic,  erectile,  liairy  caruncle. 
y  and  entire.  Fekt  rather 
1  blunt  Bpur  in  the  male  ;  the 
It,  flat  beneath.  Wings  abort, 
igest.  TaU  of  14  to  18  dilat- 
pansion. 

9  well  as  half  the  neck ;  the 
irunculous  appendage  ;  and  a 
•tion  of  the  neck,  at  length, 
long,  and  dilated  at  the  ex- 
itly  iridescent,  varying  by  re- 
iialler,  with  dull  and  obscure 
the  female. 

early  sedentary  in  the  districts 
y  in  forests,  roosting  on  trees ; 
;  of  day.  They  feed  on  grain 
,  substances.  They  are  very 
ri  address  their  mates  in  pomp- 
&c.  They  are  also  easily  do- 
now  naturalized  over  all  the 


WILD  TURKEY, 


«39 


temperate  parts  of  the  world  ;  their  flesh  being  genet  illy  esteemed 
before  all  other  poultry.  The  genua  is  peculiar  to  Nortli  America, 
consisting  of  but  two  species;  the  second  (M.  oruhihis)  existino- In 
the  tropical  forests  of  Honduras.  They  are  soinevvliat  allied  to  tlie 
Peacock ,  the  Menura,a.nd  the  Bustard  of  the  ancient  continent,  though 
very  distinct  from  every  other  type. 


WILD  TURKEY. 

{Maleagris  gallopavo,  L.  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  79.  pi.  9.  both  sexes.) 
Sr.  Charact.  — Primaries  dusky,  banded  with  white;  tail  of  18 
feathers,  ferruginov.s,  thinly  waved  with  black,  and  with  a  black 
band  near  the  extremity.  —  The  male,  blackish,  with  a  metallic 
coppery  reflection.  The/ewafe  aad  young,  dusky  brownish-grey, 
with  but  few  metallic  tints. 


640 


GAliUNACEOliS  BIUDS. 


The  Wild  Turkey,  once  prevalent  throughout  the  whole 
continent  of  North  America,  from  Mexico  and  the  Antil- 
les, to  the  forests  of  Lower  Canada,  is  now  by  the  progress 
and  density  of  population  chiefly  confined  to  the  thickly 
wooded  and  uncultivated  tracts  of  the  Western  States,  be- 
ing particularly  abundant  in  the  unsettled  parts  of  Ohio, 
Kentucky,  Illinois,  Indiana,  and  throughout  the  vast  forests 
of  the  great  valleys  of  the  Mississippi  and  Missouri.  On 
the  banks  of  the  latter  river,  however,  where  the  woods 
disappear  beyond  the  confluence  of  the  Platte,  the  Tur- 
key no  longer  appears,  and  the  feathers  of  the  wings,  for 
the  purpose  of  pluming  arrows,  form  an  article  of  small 
commerce  between  the  other  natives  and  their  western 
countrymen.  For  a  thousand  miles  up  the  Arkansas  and 
Red  River,  in  the  wooded  alluvial  lands,  they  are  not  un- 
common. They  are  likewise  met  with  in  small  num- 
bers, in  Tennessee,  Alabama,  and  West  Florida.  From 
the  Atlantic  States  generally  they  are  now  nearly  exter- 

pated. 

The  Wild  Turkey  is  neither  gregarious  nor  migratory, 
but  from  the  necessity  of  wandering  after  food  ;  it  is  oth- 
erwise resident  throughout  the  whole  of  the  vast  region  it 
inhabits,  including  the  greatest  diversity  of  climate  ;  and 
it  is  prolific  in  proportion  to  its  natural  resouii..  "o  that 
while  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  it  only  breeds  once 
in  the  year,  in  Jamaica  and  the  other  West  India  is- 
lands, it  is  said  to  raise  two  or  three  broods  in  the  same 
period.  In  quest  of  mast,  they  therefore  spread  them- 
selves through  the  country,  and  insensibly  assemble  in 
considerable  nuwibers  to  the  district  where  their  food 
abounds.  These  movements  are  observed  to  take  place 
oarly  in  October,  (the  Turkey  moon  of  the  aborigines.) 
The  males,  or  gobblers,  as  they  are  often  called,  from 
re  now  seen  i  "         .        . 


MlA- 


HDS. 

t  throughout  the  whole 
Mexico  and  the  Antil- 
is  now  by  the  progress 
onfiiied  to  the  thickly 
he  Western  States,  be- 
nsettled  parts  of  Ohio, 
Dughout  the  vast  forests 
ipi  and  Missouri.  On 
jver,  where  the  woods 
if  the  Platte,  the  Tur- 
thers  of  the  wings,  for 
m  an  article  of  small 
ves  and  their  western 
s  up  the  Arkansas  and 
lands,  they  are  not  un- 
with  in  small  num- 
Wcst  Florida.  From 
are  now  nearly  exter- 

garious  nor  migratory, 
g  after  food  ;  it  is  oth- 
)Ie  of  the  vast  region  it 
persity  of  ciimate  ;  and 
tural  resouii..  'o  that 
ada  it  only  breeds  once 

other  West  India  is- 
ree  broods  in  the  saine 
herefore  spread  ihem- 
insensibly  assemble  in 
itrict   where  their  food 

observed  to  take  place 
on  of  the  aborigines.) 
are  often  called,  from 
m  the  other  sex,  in  coro- 


WILD  TURKEY. 


G41 


panies  varying  from  10  to  a  100.    The  females  move  sin- 
gly, or  accompanied   by  their  almost  independent  brood, 
who  all   at  first  shun  assiduously  the  persecuting  society 
of  the  Helfish  male.     Yet  after  a  while,  when  their  food 
proves  abundant,  separate  mixed  flocks  of  all   ages  and 
sexes  often  promiscuously  join  in  the  bounteous  repast. 
Their  migration,  very  unlike  that  of  the  rapid  Pigeons, 
is  made  almost  entirely  on   foot,   until   their   progress  is 
perhaps  arrested  by  a  river.  Their  speed,  however,  is  very 
considerable,   and  when  surprised   they  more  commonly 
trust  to  their  legs  than  their  wings,  running  nearly  with 
the  velocity  of  a  hound.     On  meeting  with  an  impedi- 
ment of  this  kind,  after  considerable  delay,  they  ascend 
to  the  tops  of  the  tall  trees,  and  at  the  cluck  of  the  lead- 
er, they  launch  into  the  air  for   the  opposite  shore.     The 
transit  la  a  matter  of  little  difficulty,  though  considerable 
labor,  for  the  older  birds  ;  but  the  younger  and  less  robust 
sometimes  fall  short  of  the  bank,  and  are  either  drowned 
or  attain  the  land   by  swimming.     After  crossing,  it  is 
remarked,   that  they  often  become   an   easy  prey  to  the 
hunter,  as  they  seem   bewildered  by  the  new  country  in 
which  they  have  arrived,  or  more  probably  are  fatigued  by 
the  novelty  and  extent  of  their   excursion.     After   long 
journeys  and   privations,  particularly  in    frosty   weather, 
or  while  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow,  tiiey  are  some- 
times reduced  to  the  necessity  of  making  their   appoar- 
ance  near  farm-houses,  where  they  now  anc'  then   even 
associate  with  the  poultry,  and  enter  the  stables  and  cribs 
after  grain.     In  this  desultory  and  foraging  manner  they 
spend  the  autumn  and  winter. 

Accoiding  to  the  latitude,  and  the  advancement  o''the 

osason,  though  always  very  early  in  the  spring,  they  bt- 

gin  to  he.  actuated  by  the  instinct  of  propagation.     The 

males  commence  their  gobblirg,  and  court  the  society  of 

54* 


m 


049 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 


their  retiring  mates.     The  sexes  roost  apart,  but  in  the 
same  vicinity,  and  at  the  yelp  of  the  female  the  gobbling 
becomes  reiterated,  and  extravagant.     If  heard  from  the 
ground,   a  general  rush  ensues  to  the  spot,  and  whether 
the   hen    appears  or   not,  the   males,   thus    accidentally 
brought  together,  spread  out  their  train,   quiver  and  de- 
press their  rigid  wings,  and  strutting  and  puffing  with  a 
pompous  gait,  often  make  battle,  and  directing  their  blows 
at  the   head  occasionally  destroy  each  other  in  a  fit  of 
jealousy.  As  with  our  domestic  fowls,  several  hens  usually 
follow  a  favorite  cock,  roosting  in  his  immediate  neigh- 
bourhood, until   they  begin   to  lay,    when  they  withdraw 
from   his   resort,   to   save    their  eggs,   which  he   would 
destroy  if  discovered.     The  females  are  therefore  seen 
in  his  company  only  fo.    a  few  hours  in  the  day.    Soon 
after  this  period,  however,   the  male  loses  his  ardor,  and 
the  advances  of  affection  now  become  reversed,  the  hen 
seeking  out  the  society  of  her  reluctant  mate.     In  moon- 
light nights  the  gobbling  of  the  male  is  heard,  at  inter- 
vals  of  a  few  minutes,  for  hours  together,  and  affords  of- 
ten a  gratifying  means  of  their  discovery  to  the  wakeful 
hunter.     After  this  period    the  males   become   lean   and 
e.ra-.<:U-cl,  so  as   to  be  even  unab'e   to  fly,  and  seek  to 
'i-rlQ  themselves  from  their  mates  in   the  closest  thickets, 
-vhci  -  they  .ire   "seldom  seen.     They  now  also  probably 
UK  ..u,..  ib:;'r  moult,  and  are  so  dry,  lean,  and  lousy  .^un- 
til ti.e  ripening  of  the  mast  and  berries,  as  to  be  almost 
wholly   indigestible  and  destitute  of  nutriment  as   food. 
So  constant  is  this  impoverished   state,  that  the  Indians 
have  a  proverb,  "  As  lean  as  a  Turkey  in  summer." 

About  the  middle  of  April,  in  Kentucky,  the  hens  be- 
gin to  provide  for  the  reception  of  their  eggs,  and  secure 
their  prospects  of  incubation.  The  nest,  merely  a  slight 
hollow  scratched  in  the  ground,  and  lined  with  withered 


D8. 

(ost  apart,  but  in  the 
e  female  the  gobbling 
it.  If  heard  from  the 
the  spot,  and  whether 
es,  thus    accidentally 

train,  quiver  and  de- 
nw  and  puffing  with  a 
d  directing  their  blows 

each  other  in  a  fit  of 
Is,  several  hens  usually 

bis   immediate  neigh- 
,   when  they  withdraw 
■ggs,    which  he    would 
les  are   therefore  seen 
Durs  in  the  day.    Soon 
lie  loses  his  ardor,  and 
ome  reversed,  the  hen 
ictant  mate.     In  moon- 
male  is  heard,  at  inter- 
ogether,  and  affords  of- 
iscovery  to  the  wakeful 
ales   become   lean   and 
h!e  to  fly,  and  seek  to 
in   the  closest  thickets, 
iiey  now  also  probably 
Iry,  lean,  and  lousy.^un- 
berries,  as  to  be  almost 

of  nutriment  as  food. 
1  slate,  that  the  Indiana 
'urkey  in  summer." 

Kentucky,  the  hens  be- 
>f  their  eggs,  and  secure 
'he  nest,  merely  a  slight 
and  lined  with  withered 


Wild  TunKEY. 


643 


leaves,  is  made  by  the  side  of  a  fallen  log,  or  beneath 
the  shelter  of  a  thicket,  in  a  dry  place.     The  eggs,  from 
10  to  Ui,  are  whitish,  covered  with  red  dots.    While  lay- 
ing, the  female,  like  the  domestic  bird,  always  approach- 
es the  nest  with  great  caution,  varying  the  course  at  al- 
most every  visit,  and  often  concealing  her  eggs  entirely  by 
covering  them  with  leaves.     Trusting  to  the  similarity  of 
her  homely  garb  with  the   withered    foliage   around  her, 
the  hen,   as  with   several  other   birds,  on  being  carefully 
approached,  sits  close,   without  moving.     She  seldom  in- 
deed abandons   her  nest,  and  her  attachment  increases 
with  the  growing  life  of  her  charge.     The  domestic  bird, 
has   been  known,   not  unfrequcntly,  to  sit   steadfastly  on 
her  eggs,  until  she  died  of  hunger.    As  soon  as  the  young 
have  emerged  from   the  shell,    and  begun   to  run   about, 
the   parent,    by  her   cluck,  calls  theirt   around    her,   and 
watches  with    redoubled  suspicion  the  approach  of  their 
enemies,  which  she  can  perceive  at  an  almost  inconceiv- 
able  distance.     To   avoid  moisture,  which  might   prove 
fatal   to  them,    they  now   keep  on   the  higher   sheltered 
knolls ;  and  in  about  a  fortnight,  instead  of    roosting  on 
lh«  ground,  they  begin  to  fly,  at  night,  to  some  wide  and 
low  branch,  where  they  still  continue  to  nestle  under  the 
extend«»d  wings  of  their  protecting  parent.  At  length  they 
resort  during  the  day  to  more  open  tracts,  or  prairies,  in 
quest  of  berries  of  various  kinds.as  well  as  grasshoppers, 
and  other  insects.      The  old  birds  are  very  partial  to  pe- 
can-nut.s,  winter  grapes,  and  other  kinds  of  fruits.    They 
also  eat   buds,  herbs,  grain,  and  large  insects ;  but  their 
most  general  and  important  fare  is  acorns,  after   which 
they  make  extensive  migrations.     By  the  month  of  Au- 
gust the  young    are  nearly  independent  of  their  parent, 
and  become  enabled  to  attain  a  safe  roost  in  the  liigher 
branches  of  the  trees.     The  young  cocks,  now  show  the 


044 


OALLINACEOV8  OIRDS. 


tuft  of  hair  upon  the  breast,  and  begin  to  strut  and  gob- 
ble, and  the  young  hens  already  pur  and  leap. 

One  of  the  most  crafty  enemies  which  the  Wi)''.  Turkey 
has  to  encounter  is  the  Lynx  or  Wild  Cat,  wh .  frequent- 
ly seizes  his  prey  by  advancing  round,  and  waiting  its 
approach  in  ambush.  Like  most  other  Gallinaceous 
birds  they  are  fond  of  wallowing  on  the  ground  and 
dusting  themselves. 

When  approached  by  moonlight,  they  are  readily  shot 
from  their  roosting-tree,  one  after  another,  without  any 
apprehension  of  their  danger,  though  they  would  dodge 
or  fly  instantly  at  the  sight  of  the  Owl.  The  gobblers, 
during  the  season  of  their  amorous  excitement,  have  been 
known  even  to  strut  over  their  dead  companions  while 
on  the  ground,   instead  of  seeking  their  own  safety  by 

flight. 

In  the  spring,  the  male  Turkeys,  are  called  by  a  whistle 
made  of  the  second  joint  bone  of  the  wing  of  the  bird, 
which  produces  a  sound  somewhat  similar  to  the  voice  of 
the  female  ;  and  on   coming  up   to  this  call  they  are  con- 
sequently shot.     They  are  likewise   commonly  caught  ^n 
quadrangular  pens  made  of  logs  crossing  each  other,  from 
which  is  cut  a  slanting  covered  passage  sufficient  to  allow 
the  entrance  of  the   Turkey.     Corn  is  then  scattered  in 
a  train  to  this  cage  for  some  distance,  as  well  as  within  ; 
and  the  neighbouring  birds,  in  the  surrounding  woods, 
having  discovered  the   grain,   call  on   each  other  by  a 
clucking,  and  entering  one  at  a  time,  they  become  secured 
in  the  pen,  as,  for  the  purpose  of  escape,  they  constantly 
direct  their  view  upwards,  instead  of  stooping  to  go  out 
by  the  path  by  which  they  had  entered. 

The  male  Wild  Turkey  weighs  commonly  from  15  to 
i8  pounds,  is  not  anfrequently  as  much  as  25,  and  some- 
times, according  to  Audubon,  even  36.    The  hen  com- 


ROS. 

Bgin  to  strut  and  gob- 
r  and  leap. 

lich  the  Wil'.  Turkey 
Id  Cat,  why  Ircqiient- 
imd,  and  waiting  its 
It  other  Gallinaceous 
;  on  the  ground  and 

they  are  readily  shot 
another,  without  any 
jgh  they  would  dodge 
Owl.  The  gobblers, 
excitement,  have  been 
ead  companions  while 
5  their  own  safety  by 

are  called  by  a  whistle 
■  the  wing  of  the  bird, 
similar  to  the  voice  of 
this  call  they  are  con- 
;   commonly  caught  in 
ssing  each  other,  from 
sage  sufficient  to  allow 
irn  is  then  scattered  in 
ice,  as  well  as  within  ; 
le  surrounding  woodS; 
11  on   each  other  by  a 
e,  they  become  secured 
escape,  they  constantly 
of  stooping  to  go  out 
tered. 
commonly  from  15  to 
much  as  25,  and  some- 
en  36.     The  hen  com- 


PARTRIDUES. 


64A 


monly  weighs  about  9  pounds  ;  and  the  ujuij  price  for  a 
Turkey   from   the  Indians  is  25   cents  !     The  domestic 
bird,  when  irritated  by  the  sight  of  any  remarkable  object, 
struts  out  with  expanded  tail,  and  drooping  his  stitfened 
wings,  swells  uut  his  wattles  which  become  red  and   tur- 
gid, and,  advancing  with  a  grave  and  haughty  air,  utters 
a  li.   nming  sound,  now  and  then  accompanied  by  a  harsh 
&,id  dissonant  ruk,  ornok,  oroo/c,  repeating  it  at  every  whis- 
tle or  unusual  sound  that  strikes  his  ear.    The  exhibi- 
tion of  a  red  riig  is  also  sure  to    excite   his  wrath    ^.  a 
induce   him   to   rush    with  stupid    temerity  at   the   disa- 
greeable object,  which  he  exerts  himself  to  injure  or  des- 
troy.    A  whole  flock   sometimes  will   unite  in   chasing  a 
common    cock    from  the    poultry    yard,  in    consequence 
merely  of  some  whimsical  antipathy.     From  these  singu- 
lar dislikes,  this  cowardice  and  folly,  the  Turkey  bears  in 
France  the  same  proverbial  imputation  of  stupidity,  which 
in  England  is  bestowed  on  the  Gooso.  The  feathers  of  the 
wild  bird  attached  to  strips  of  bass,  were  anciently  employ- 
ed by  the  aborigines   for  tippets  and  cloaks,  and  were  bo 
arranged  that  the  brilliant  surface  formed  the  outside  of 
the  dress;   and  in  later  times,  similar   dresses  have  also 
been  made  by  the  Cherokees. 

The  Turkey  was  first  sent  from  Mexico  to  Spain  in  the 
16th  century,  and  in  the  reign  of  Henry  the  Eighth,  in 
the  year  1524,  it  was  introduced  into  England,  and  soon 
after  into  France  and  other  portions  of  Europe. 

The  male  Turkey  is  about  4  feet  1  inch  in  length;  the  alar  eitent 
6  feet  8  inches.  (The  female  3  feet  1  inch  in  length  )  Legs  and 
feet  purplish  red.  Iris  hazel.  Upper  part  of  the  buck  and  wings 
yellowish-brown,  of  a  metallic  lustre,  changing  to  deep  purple,  the 
retuse  tips  of  the  feathers  broadly  edged  with  velvet  black.  Quills 
dusky,  banded  with  gieyish- white.  Lower  part  of  the  back  and  tail- 
coverts  deep  chesnut,  banded  with  green  and  black.  Tail  feathers, 
of  the  same  color  undulatingly  barred  and  minutely  sprinkled  with 
black,  and  with  a  broad  subterminal  blackish  baud.    Beneath  duller. 


'fk:^' 


*"« 


u 


31 


ipiiiri">i 


646 


iNArBOVB  BIHD«. 


PARTRIDGES.  (Perdix.  Lath.) 
In  thf»«bird«  th«  Bii-i.  «  entire  and  lmr« ;  the  upper  mandible 
vaulted,  and  .tron^iiv  rurved  toward,  tlie  point.  %.i»Tnii«  basal, 
lateral,  half  closed  by 'a  vaulted  and  naked  membrane.  Fk.et  naked, 
fore  t.M.  inited  by  a  inembrane  to  the  first  nrticulation,  hind  toe 
leiBthii  i.alflh.  -ngth  of  the  iniit-r;  nnilH  incurved,  acute.  Head 
,ften  with  a  naked  space  round  the  eye.  Tail 
d,  con«i»ting  of  from  l!i  to  IH  close  fealh- 


wholly  featliere'l 
•hort,  round 
en. 

Female  m 
«mall  esse  I 
adult.    Th 

These  b 


!ler,  and  diflering  from  the  male  only  by  sonis 
Young  after  the  first  year  similar  with  the 
!  annual. 

dentary  in  some  countries,  migrate  in  others,  and 
are  very  nui.erousin  temperate  and  warm  climates,  in  every  quarter 
of  tlie  world.  They  live  in  pairs,  and  form  a  conjugal  union  for  life  ; 
when  the  young  are  hatched,  the  male  takes  them  under  his  charge, 
and  by  his  '  ries  warns  them  of  any  approaching  danger,  or  calls 
them  together  wlien  scattered  apart;  in  this  uiiinner  they  dwell  to- 
gether as  one  family  until  '  he  approach  of  spring.  The  Qiwils  of  the 
4th  section  of  the  genus,  are  polygamous,  and  migrate  extensively. 
MoBtpartof  the  whole  genua  live  in  open  fields  and  meadows,  seek- 
ing out  the  advantage  of  cultivated  districts,  in  the  vicinity  of  man. 


Subgenus.  —  COLINIA.  (Colins,  Buff.  Oiityx.  Steph.) 
The  bill  short,  thick,  higher  than  it  is  wide ;  upper  mandible  curved 
from  the  base  ;  no  naked  space  nround  the  eye.  The  tarsus  destitute 
of  spur  or  tubercle  in  both  sexes.  The  wings  rounded;  with  Ihe  3d 
and  4th  primaries  longest.  Tail  of  12  feathers,  longer  than  the 
coverts. 

These  birds  alight  on  low  trees  or  bushes,  sometimes  roosting  in 
them,  but  also  dwell  much  on  the  ground,  both  by  night  and  day. 
Usually  monogamous,  the  male  taking  charge  of  and  protecting  the 
j<  ;ng,  wliich  associate  with  the  old  until  the  time  of  pairing.— 
These  are  peculiar  to  America,  where  the  other  subgenera  have  no 
representatives. 


RDS. 


uix.  Lath.) 

bare;  the  upper  mniwliblo 

111-  point.      Ni)«Tim-»  bnnul, 

1  iiieiiibriine.  Fr.ET  iinkeil, 
first  iirticulation,  hind  toe 

Ills  iiKurvfil,  iicule.  Htad 
puce  rouiiU  the  eye.  TuU 
of  from  Vi  to  18  close  feath- 

irora  the  male  only  by  Boni« 
fixit  year  «imilar  with  the 

ei,  migrate  in  others,  and 
m  climntea,  in  every  quarter 
•m  a  conjugal  union  for  life ; 
ikes  them  uiiiler  his  charge, 
pproBching  danger,  or  calls 
tliis  miinner  lliey  dwell  to- 
Df  spring.  The  <^/n»7s  of  the 
18,  ond  migrate  extensively, 
n  fields  and  meadows,  seek- 
icts,  in  the  vicinity  of  man . 

8,  Buff.  OiiTYX.  Stfph.) 
ide ;  upper  mandible  curved 
lie  eye.  The  tarsus  destitute 
wings  rounded ;  with  Ihe  3d 

2  featliers,  longer  than  the 

iishes,  sometimes  roosting  in 
md,  both  by  night  and  day. 
charge  of  and  protecting  the 
until  the  time  of  pairing.  — 
:he  other  subgenera  have  no 


AMERICAN  PARTRIDGE,  on  QUAIL. 

(Perdix  virginiana,  Lath.  Wilson,  vi.  p.  21.  pi.  47.  fig.  2.  [male], 
P.  marilanda,  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  ii.  p.  (SI.  [male.]  P.  merirana, 
IBID.  p.  0.'.3.  [young.]  hi  C'lille  de  la  iMiiiaianr,  Brisson,  i.  p! 
858.  pi.  22.  fig.  2.  BujFoN,  Ornith.  pi.  enlum.  pi.  14!).  CoUnkui, 
ii.  p.  485.  nlmicvihic,  Fernandez,  Hist.  Nov.  Hispan.  p.  19. 
cap.  25.  CoturnicU  simulacrum,  Johnston,  WiLLUGHsr,  and 
Ray. 

Sp.  Charact.'— Without  a  crest;  plumage  cinnamon  brown,  varied 
with  black  and  whitish;  throat  wliite,  bounded  with  a  black 
crescent ;  bill  black  ;  the  feet  ash-colored.  —  Female,  with  the 
stripe  over  the  eye  and  throat,  pale  yellowish-brown.  Young, 
"or  a  while,  without  Ihe  block  on  the  throat. 

The  Quail  of  America,  exceedingly  prolific,  has  ex- 
tended its  colonies  from  the  inclement  coasts  of  New 
England  to  the  mild  latitudes  of  Mexico  and  Honduras. 
In  JahT/iica,  where  it  has  long  been  introduced  and  natu- 
ralized, the  inhabitants  distinguish  it  as  the  Partridge, 
an  appellation  sufficiently  prevalent  in  various  parts  of  the 
United  States.  At  the  north,  the  species  is  rarely  seen 
to  the  extremity  of  New  Hampshire ;  and  this  limit,  no 


^im^&&mmsmmismmiM 


■» 


048 


OALLINAOEOrS 


doubt  is  determined  by  the  In.  ml  severity  of  the 
wintors  which  prevail  in  this  ngurons  climiitc.  They 
Beldom  migrate,  except  to  short  distanccH,  in  quest  of 
food,  and,  consequently,  often  perish  beneath  deep  drifts 
of  snow,  so  that  their  existence  is  rendered  iti.p(.»>silde  in 
the  arctic  winters  of  our  high  latitudes.  Inleed,  somr- 
times  they  have  been  so  thinned  in  this  part  of  the  coun- 
try, that  sportsmen,  acquainted  with  their  local  attach- 
ments, have  been  known  to  introduce  them  into  places 
for  breeding,  and  to  prevent  their  threatened  extermina- 
tion. So  sedentary  are  the  habits  of  this  interesting  bird, 
thai  until  the  flock  is  wholly  roolcd  by  the  unfeeling 
hunter,  thoy  continue  faithfully  attached  to  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  tlic  spot  where  they  have  been  raised  and 
supported. 

Johnston,  Willughby,  and  Ray  distinguished  the  Mex- 
ican bird  bv  the  quaint  title  of  tlie  QikiU'h  Lna/re. 
The  first  settlers  in  New  England  also  tliouglit  they  saw 
in  this  familiar  bird  the  Quail  of  the  country  they  had 
relinquished.  The  two  birds,  are,  however,  too  different 
to  require  any  critical  comparison.  Ours  is  even  justly 
considered  by  European  ornithologists  as  the  type  of  a 
peculiar  Aunrican  subgenus,  to  which  has  been  given 
the  name  of  Outyx  by  Stevens,  the  original  appellation 
of  the  Quail  or  Pcrilix  roturnix,  as  known  to  the  ancient 
Greeks.  The  name  of  Culin,  contracted  by  Buffon  from 
the  barbarous  appellation  of  some  Mexican  species,  and 
adopted  by  Cuvier,  Temminck,  and  Vieillot  is,  however, 
to  be  preferred,  as  free  from  the  implied  contradiction  c. 
the  Greek  name. 

Although  there  is  some  getieral  resemblance  between 
the  Q,ui,l  of  the  old  .■■r^^J.  the  new  continent  in  their  ex- 
ternal appearance,  thdir  habits  and  instincts  are  exceed- 
ingly /liffereut.     The  true  Quad  is  a  noted  bird  of  pas- 


r 


1  aiHl  severity  of  the 
arouH  climuto.  They 
diBtanceH,  in  quest  of 
sh  beneath  deep  tlrifts 
•cn<'ered  innKissilrle  in 
luties.  Ih.iced,  sornr- 
I  this  piirt  of  the  coun- 
ith  their  local  attach- 
luce  them  into  places 
threntened  rxterinina- 
of  this  interesting  bird, 
itcd  by  the  unfeeling 
uiached  to  the  neigh- 
have  been  raised   and 

distinguished  the  Mex- 
r  tilt!  QiiaU's  Image. 
also  thought  they  saw 
f  the  country  they  had 
,  however,  too  different 
Ours  is  even  justly 
ngists  as  the  type  of  a 
which  has  been  given 
he  original  appellation 
s  known  to  the  ancient 
itracted  by  Buflbn  from 
!  Mexican  species,  and 
tid  Vieillot  is,  however, 
mplifu  contradiction  c. 

il  resemblance  between 
V  continent  in  their  ex- 
id  instincts  are  cxceed- 
is  a  noted  bird  of  pas- 


\ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


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■25 
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1.8 


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PhotDgiHphic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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fit 


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> 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


( 


AMERICAN  PARTRIDGE,  OR  QUAIL.  649 

sage,  With  a  favorabJe  wind  leaving  Europe  for  the  warm- 
er  parts  of  Asia  at  the  approach  of  winter  ;    and  with  an 
ausp.c.ous  gale  again   returning  in  the  spring,  in   such 
amazmg  numbers  that  some  of  the  islands  of  the  Archi- 
pelago  derived  their   name   from   their   abundant   visits. 
On  the  west  coast  of  Naples,   within  the  small  space  of 
four  or  five  miles,   as  many  as   100,000  have  been  taken 
in   a  day  by  nets.     Our  Partridge,  though   occupying  so 
wide  an  extent  of  the  Atlantic  and  Western  States,  and 
even  penetrating  into  Mexico,  is  scarcely  ever  a  bird  of 
passage  ;  they  only  assemble  in  single  families,  which  may 
sometimes  be   reduced   to  four  or  five  by  accidents,  and 
at  others  increased   to  twenty  or  thirty.     Their  instinc- 
tive sociability  continues  uniformly,  until   interrupted  in 
the  spring   by  the  desire  of  pairing;  at  this  season,  the 
eager  call  of  the  male  is  often  heard,  but  it  nearly  ceases 
when  he  is  mated,  and  is  only  long  continued   by   those 
who  are  dissatisfied,  and  have  been  unsuccesssful  in  their 
connexions  ;    and   by  imitating  the  reply  of  the  female, 
the  male  is  easily  decoyed  to  approach  towards  the  enemy 
who  thus  allures  him.     On  these  occasions  when  the  rival 
candidates  happen  to  meet,  they  exhibit,  the  only  time  in 
their  lives,  a  quarrelsome  disposition,  fighting  with  obsti- 
nacy, until  the  contented  victor  at  last  gains  the  field  with 
his  submissive  mate.     The  conjugal  selection  beincr  now 
concluded,  they  are  not  exceeded  by  any  of  the  feathered 
race  m  their  mutual  attachment  and  common  affection  for 
their  brood.  In  the  vagrant  Quail,  the  want  ofreciprocaJ 
and  durable  attachment  gives  rise  to  a  wholly  different 
character  in  instinctive  morality  ;  a  common  concubinage 
prevailing  among  them,  as  with  our  Cow  Troopials      In- 
stead  of  the  mild  sociability  so  prevalent  with  our  Par- 
tridge, they  are  pugnacious  to  a  proverb;   "  A,  quarrel- 
some as  Quails  in   a  cage"  was  an  ancient  reproof  to 
55 


i 


A50 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 


Striving  children.  Their  selfishness  forbids  all  mutual 
alliance,  and  they  only  find  safety  from  each  other  m 
roaming  solitude. 

The  Partridge   is  not  partial  to  the  depths  of  the  for- 
est, though  they  sometimes  seek  the  shelter  of  trees  and 
perch  on  the  low   branches,  or  hide  amongst  the  brush 
and  underwood.     Their  favorite  food,  however,  common- 
ly conducts  them  to  the  open  fields,  where  they  glean  up 
various  kinds  of  grain,   and  are  particularly  fond  of  rye 
and  buckwheat,  as  well  as  Indian  corn  ;  and,  when  not 
too  much  disturbed  by  the  sportsman,  will  often,  particu- 
larly in  the  autumn  and  winter,  fearlessly  assemble  along 
the  most  public  roads,  or  around  the  barn  and  stable   in 
search  of  a  scanty  pittance   among  the   domestic  fowls  ; 
like  them   also  very   industriou.sly  scratching  up  straw, 
and  probably  the  ground,  in  quest  of  grain    and  insects; 
which  with  seeds,*  and  various  kinds  of  buds  and  berries, 
as  well   as  broken  acorns,  according  to  the  season,  often 
constitute  a  considerable  part  of  their  native  diet. 

Remaining  with  us  commonly  the  whole  year,  the  lit- 
tle social  band   often  suffer   from  the   inclemency  of  the 
seasons.      At  this  time,  they  perch  together  on  some  ris- 
in  r  ground,  beneath  the  shelter  of  brush  or  briars,  and 
forming   a  close  circle,  with  their  heads  outward  to   dis- 
cern any  approach  of  danger,  they  thus  greatly  aid  each 
other  by  their  mutual  warmth  to  resist  the  chilling  effects 
of   fro^t.     It  is  probable,   however,  they   have   no  great 
fear  of  snow,  when  together,  as  they  may  often  be  seen 
patiently  encountering  the   storm,   as  its  white  wreaths 
invade  them,    and   frequently  on  the  arrival   of  a   thaw 
unfortunate  coveys,   suspecting  no   danger,   are    found 
buried  beneath   the  inundating  waste^u^dled^  together 

'^,';;;^r,TtVa  ""ily  .oc'..«^f  tl.7co„.mon  Bitter-weed  or  Arnl^o^lmnnai^- 
da,  according  to  Die  information  of  Mr.  Cakes. 


RDS. 

ss  forbids   all   mutual 
y  from  each  other  in 

the  depths  of  the  for- 
16  shelter  of  trees  and 
le  amongst  the  brush 
od,  however,  common- 
s,  where  they  glean  up 
articularly  fond  of  rye 

corn  ;  and,  when  not 
an,  will  often,  particu- 
arlessly  assemble  along 
the  barn  and  stable,  in 
a  the  domestic  fowls  ; 
y  scratching  up  straw, 

of  grain   and  insects  ; 
nds  of  buds  and  berries, 
ng  to  the  season,  often 
heir  native  diet, 
the  whole  year,  the  lit- 
the   inclemency  of  the 
5h  together  on  some  ris- 
of  brush  or  briars,  and 
r  heads  outward  to   dis- 
;y  thus  greatly  aid  each 
esist  the  chilling  effects 
pr,  they   have  no  great 

they  may  often  be  seen 
1,  as  its   white  wreaths 

the  arrival  of  a  thaw, 
no  danger,  are  found 
ivaste,  huddled   together 

Bitler-wecd  or  Ambroaia  Ufinnatifir 


i 


AMERICAN  PARTRIDGE,   Oil  QUAIL.  051 

in  their  accustomed  form.     They  are  observed,  even,  on 
the  approach  of  danger,  to  rush  into  the  snow  fcr  shelter 
and  it  is  only  when  the  drift  becomes  so  consolidated  by 
a  frozen  glazing  of  sleet  as  to  resist   all  their  efforts   to 
move,  that  it  proves  their  grave,  rather  than  their  retreat. 
As  they  happen  to  afford  a  favorite  and  delicate  article 
of  food,  every  means  which  gua  and  trap  can  effect  are 
put  in  operation  against  the   innocent  race.     Their  very 
sociability  often  affords  means  for  their  destruction  •    for 
while  crowded  together  in  a  ring,  a  dozen  or  more  have 
been  killed  at  a  shot,  and  the  small  remains  of  the  unfor- 
tunate  covey,   feeling  their  weakness   and  solitude    are 
said   to  join  some  neighbouring   brood,   for   whom   they 
scon  form  the  same  friendly  attachment  they  had  for  the 
fraternity  they  have  lost. 

From  the  !■,   .■  end  of  August  to  the  month  of  March 
the  markets  of  all  our  principal  cities  are  often  cheaply' 
stocked  with  this  favorite  game.* 

Some  time  in  the  month  of  May,  the  Quail,  at  the  bot- 
.  torn  of  a  sheltering  tuft  of  grass,  scratches  out  a  cavity 
for  her  nest,    whicl.  is  us-    '|y  li„ed   substantially  with 
such  withered  leaves  anc         .rass  as  happen  to  be  con- 
venient.  Though  generally      3n.  U  is  sometimes  partially 
covered  by  art  and  accident,  but  no  studious  concealment 
IS  ever  practised  by  this  artless  bird.     The  eggs  are  from 
15  to  20  ;  and  unlike  the  spotted  charge  of  the  true  Quail 
are  pure   white,   and   rather  suddenly  na.rowed  at  the 
sma  ler  end.     The  period   of  incubation   is  about  four 
weeks.     They  have  generally  two  broods  in  a  season    as 
young   birds  scarcely   Hedged  may  be  observed  here   as 
late  as  the  beginning  of  October.     When  this  happens 
It  IS  not  uncommon   to  find  both  coveys  still   associating 

^^The  usual  price  In  tho  '^-^^''i^'^^^^^^^i'^.^Y^^T^^::^',^^ 


1IS»mii% 


6fi3 


OALLINACEOWS  BIRDS. 


with  their  parents.     Like  most  other  Gallinaceous  birds, 
the   young  run  about  as  soon  as  they  are  freed  from  the 
shell,  and  gain  the  complete  use  of  their  wings   in  about 
a  fortnight  from  hatching.      They  are   now  attentively 
conducted  by  the  mother,  and  occasionally  by  either  pa- 
rent, in  quest  of  their  appropriate  food,  and  called  togeth- 
er in  a  voice  resembling   the  low  twittering  of  chickens. 
At  times  they  shelter   beneath  the  wings  of  the  mother; 
but  if  the  little  busy  flock  are  startled  by  danger,  artifice, 
rather  than  courage,  is  the  instinctive  means  of  safety  em- 
ployed by  all  the  party.     The  parents  flutter  in  the  path, 
in  real  as  well  as  simulated  distress,  and  the   young,  in- 
stantly aware  of  their  critical  situation,  make  no  useless 
attempts  to  fly,  but  vanish  singly,  and  closely  hiding  among 
the  withered  grass,  which  they  almost  resemble  in  color, 
are  thus  fortunately  rendered  nearly  altogether  invisible. 
The  alarm  at  length  dissipated,  the  tender,  cautious  call  of 
the  parents,  again  reassembles  thelit-lo  grateful  family. 

The  eggs  of  the  quail  have  been  olten  hatched  by  the 
domestic  hen  ;  but  the  vagrant  disposition  of  the  diminu- 
tive brood,  the  difficulty  of  procuring  their  proper  food, 
and  tU  superior  attention  they  require  over  chickens, 
prevent  the  possibility  of  their  domestication  ;  and  even 
when  they  have  survived  the  winter  in  this  state,  the  re- 
turn of  spring  leads  them  to  wander  off  in  compliance 
with  that  powerful  instinct,  which  inspires  them  to  a  mu- 
tual separation. 

So  familiar  are  these  little  birds,  that  occasionally,  as 
described  by  Wilson,  they  have  been  known  to  lay  their 
eggs  in  the  nest  of  the  domestic  hen,  when  situated  at 
any  considerable  distance  from  the  habitation.  From 
two  eggs  thus  deposited  were  raised  a  pair  of  young 
auails"  which,  when  abandoned  by  the  hen,  showed  their 
social   attachment   by   accompanying  the  cows.      These 


[RDS. 

er  Gallinaceous  birds, 
ley  are  freed  from  the 
f  their  wings  in  about 
;y  are   now  attentively 
lasionally  by  either  pa- 
Food,  and  called  togeth- 
twittering  of  chickens, 
e  wings  of  the  mother ; 
tied  by  danger,  artifice, 
:ive  means  ofsafety  em- 
ents  flutter  in  the  path, 
iss,  and  the   young,   in- 
lation,  make  no  useless 
nd  closely  hiding  among 
most  resemble  in  color, 
irly  altogether  invisible, 
f  tender,  cautious  call  of 
B  little  grateful  family, 
in  often  hatched  by  the 
sposition  of  the  diminu- 
aring  their  proper  food, 
require    over   chickens, 
imestication  ;    and  even 
ter   in  this  state,  the  re- 
inder  off  in  compliance 
1  inspires  them  to  a  mu- 

Is,  that  occasionally,  as 
)een  known  to  lay  their 
c  hen,  when  situated  at 
the  habitation.  From 
raised  a  pair  of  young 
by  the  hen,  showed  their 
iying  the  cows.      These 


AMERICAN  PARTRIOaE,   OR  QUAIL. 


053 


they   followed  night  and  morning  from   the  pasture,  and 
when  the  cattle   were  housed   for   the   winter  our  little 
Partridges  took    up  their  humble  abode  in   the   stable. 
But  even  these,   so  docile,   and  separated   from  all  their 
race,  on  the  return  of  spring,  obeyed  the  instinct  of  na- 
ture, and  wandered  away  to  their   congenial  woods  and 
thickets.  It  is  probable  at  times,  us  asserted  by  observers 
that  our  Quails,  like  some  other   birds,  lay  their  cg-rs  !„ 
the  nests   of  each  other;  a  fret   which  would  onlyTe  in 
accordance  with  their  usual  friendship  and  mutual  famil- 
iarity. 

The  American  Quail,  according  to  Wilson,  has  like- 
wise,  in  turn,  been  employed  to  hatch  the   eggs  of  the 
domestic  hen,  which  she  brought  out,  defended,    and  fed 
as  her  own  offspring.      She  even  succeeded  in  imparting 
to  them  a  portion  of  her  own  instinct,  to  such  a  degree 
that  when  alarmed,  they  hid  in  the  grass,  and  ran  timidly 
from  sight  like  so  many  young   Partridges,  exhibiting  all 
the  wildness  of  unreclaimed  birds.     A  flock  of  these 
Quails,   hoivever   attentively   fed,   and  confined,  always 
exhibit   a  great  degree  of  fear  and  shyness  ;     their   at- 
tachments  remaining  truly  natural,   they  appear  only  to 
recognise  the  company  of  each  other.  But  a  solitary  indi- 
vidual  becomes  friendly    and  familiar  to  the   hand    that 
feeds  it,  and,  for  want  of  more  congenial  society   forms  a 
similar  attachment  to  its  keeper.     In  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember, the  little  brood,  now  nearly  full  grown,  assemble 
m  families  ;  and  at  this  period,  as  well   as  in   the  spring 
and  early  part  of  summer,  the  clear,  whistling  call  of  the 
male  is  often  heard.     This  well  known  note,  is  very  sim- 
ilar to  rlie  pronunciation  of  the  words,  "  'bob  white  "  to 
which  is  often  added  a  suppressed  introductory  whistle 
While  seated,  perhaps  on  a  fence-rail,  or  the  low  limb  of 
an  orchard  tree,  this  peculiar  note,  sometimes  interpreted 
65* 


-I'l, 


1 


6M 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRn*. 


in  showery  hay-weather  into  the  augury  of  "  more  wet, 
more  toet,"  continues  uninterruptedly,  at  short  intervals, 
for  more  than  half  an  hour  at  a  time.  Du  Pratz  says  they 
are  known  to  the  aborigines  by  the  name  of  ho-oui/  {'ho- 
wee),  which  is  also  imitative  of  notes  they  sometimes  ut- 
ter, as  I  have  heard,  early  in  a  morning,  from  a  partly 
domesticated  covey.  When  assembled  in  a  corner,  and 
about  to  take  wing,  the  same  low,  chicken-like  twittering, 
as  is  employed  by  the  mother  towards  her  more  tender 
brood,  .d  repeated  ;  but  when  dispersed,  by  necessary  oc- 
cupation, or  alarm,  they  are  reassembled  by  a  loud  and  oft 
repeated  call  of  anxious  and  social  inquiry.  This  note, 
'ho^oce,  is  however  so  strongly  instinctive,  as  to  be  com- 
monly uttered  without  occasion,  by  the  male  even  in  a 
cage,  surrounded  by  his  kindred  brood ;  so  that  this  ex- 
pression, at  stated  times,  is  only  one  of  general  sympathy 
and  satisfaction  like  that  of  a  singing  bird  uttered  when 
solitary  and  confined  to  a  cage. 

In  consequence  of  the  shortness  and  concavity  of  its 
wings,  in  common  with  most  other  birds  of  the  same 
family,  the  American  Quail  usually  makes  a  loud  whir- 
ring noise  in  its  flight,  which  is  seldom  long  continu- 
ed, always  laborious,  and  generally  so  steady  as  to  afford 
no  difficult  mark  for  the  expert  sportsman.  According 
to  the  observations  of  Audubon,  the  flight  of  our  Partridge 
and  Grous,  when  not  hurried  by  alarm,  is  attended  with 
very  little  more  noise  than  that  of  other  birds.  Whatev- 
er may  be  the  fact,  when  our  little  Partridges  alight  on 
the  ground,  they  often  run  out  to  very  considerable  dis- 
tances, when  not  directly  flushed,  and  endeavour  to  gain 
the  shelter  of  briars  and  low  bushes,  or  instinctively  squat 
among  the  fallen  leaves  of  the  woods,  from  which,  with 
their  brown  livery,  it  is  difficult  to  distinguish  them.  No 
great  destruction  is  made  among  them  while  on  the  wing, 


ni. 

ugury  of  "  more  wet, 
\y,  nt  short  intervals, 
!.  Du  Pratz  says  they 
name  of  ho-ouy  {'ho- 
ea  they  sometimes  ut- 
jrning,  from  a  partly 
ihled  in  a  corner,  and 
licken-like  twittering, 
ards  her  more  tender 
rsed,  by  necessary  oc- 
bled  by  a  loud  and  oft 
I  inquiry.  This  note, 
nctive,  as  to  be  com- 
y  the  male  even  in  a 
rood  ;  so  that  this  ex- 
o  of  general  sympathy 
ing  bird  uttered  when 

3  and  concavity  of  its 
jr  birds  of  the  same 
ly  makes  a  loud  whir- 
seldom  long  continu- 
80  steady  as  to  afford 
)ortsman.  According 
flight  of  our  Partridge 
arm,  is  attended  with 
other  birds.  Whatev- 
i  Partridges  alight  on 
very  considerable  dis- 
and  endeavour  to  gain 
,  or  instinctively  squat 
ds,  from  which,  with 
distinguish  them.  No 
em  while  on  the  wing, 


OAMFORNIAN  QUAIL. 


655 


as  they  do  not  take  a  general  alarm  on  being  approached, 
but  rise  at  intervals  only  by  two  or  three  at  a  time. 

The  American  Quail  is  about  9  inches  long,  and  14  in  alar  extent. 
Line  over  the  eye  descending  down  the  side  of  the  neck,  with  the 
Chin  and  tliroatpure  white,  the  latter  (in  the  full  grown  bird)  bound- 
ed  by  a  descending  crescent  of  black.  Crown,  neck,  and  upper 
part  of  tlie  breast  reddish-brown.  The  sides  of  the  neck  nearly  be- 
low  the  crescent,  are  spotted  with  white  and  black  on  a  rufous  ground. 
Back,  shoulders,  and  lesser  wing-coverts  cinnamon  brown  mingled 
with  a»h-c()Ior,  and  minutely  pointed  with  black.  Wings  dusky,  the 
coverts  edjred  with  yellowisli-white.  Lower  part  of  the  breast  and 
belly  white,  faintly  tinged  with  yellow,  and  each  feather  elegantly 
variegated  with  a  wide  arrow-head  of  black.  Tail  ash-colored,  mi- 
nutely  spotted  with  reddish-brown.  Bill  black.  Iris  hazel.  I.egs 
and  feet  pale  asli-color  inclining  to  leaden  blue.  —  By  Buffbn  and  oth- 
erg,;the  bill  of  the  full  grown  young,  as  the  Mexican  or  Louisiana 
Quail,  is,  by  mistake,  colored  red.  Mauduyt,  however,  in  the  Ency- 
clop^die  Methodl.|ue  (Ornithol.)  i.  pp.  5!)9,  000,  says  expressly,  we 
frequently  receive  this  bird  among  collections  made  in  Louisiana, 
but  in  all  that  we  have  seen  the  bill  ig  not  red,  but  dark  brown. 


CALIFORNIAN  QUAIL. 

(Perdix  califomka,  Lath.  Synops.  Suppl.  ii.  p.  281.  No.  7.     Tetrao 

californicuSjUat  Miscel.  tab.  345.) 
Sp.  Charact.  —  Crested;  cinereous  brown,  varied  with  yellowish* 

the  throat  black,  bounded  with  yellowish-white.' —  The  female 

lighter,  destitute  of  black. 

This  curious  species,  discov  \i  by  Menzies,  is  said 
to  be  chiefly,  if  not  wholly  conria  d  to  the  west  side  of 
the  northern  Andes,  and  is  common  throughout  the  prov- 
ince of  California,  and  the  territory  of  the  Oregon.  Lit- 
tle or  nothing  is  known  of  the  manners  of  this  remote 
bird.  A  covey,  however,  have  been  recently  introduced 
alive  to  the  Zoological  Gardens.  Among  these,  the  pug- 
nacious  character  of  the  males  was  nearly  as  conspicuous 
as  in  the  Grous. 


-^mtisummmm^' 


'I«v4:^t  ■:j^^iL.-m 


656 


OALLINACEOUa  DIRDR. 


This  ipceiei  ii  a  HUIr  larger  than  the  Common  Quail  of  Europe. 
Cr«it  of  (J  duiky  feathern  ;  front  dull  ferruginoui.  lU-gion  round 
the  eyeH,  chin,  and  tiiroat,  duHky  hlnck  ;  behind  the  eyp  a  dull  yellow- 
i«h-white  Htrciik  ;  a  croHoiMil  of  the  mum  color  hounds  the  hliick  of  the 
throat;  lu-lly  inclininjf  to  ferrui^inouH  ycllowinh  with  silrndnr  crei- 
cents  of  hlack.  Axillary  feathers  duHky,  with  a  longitudinal  yellow- 
ish Htreak.  Tail  rather  long,  and  partly  cuneiform.  Legs  and  bill 
lead-color. 


GROUS.     (Tetrao,  Liii.) 


With  the  mi.r.  short,  entire,  and  noked  at  the  base  ;  upper  mandi- 
ble vaulle<l,aud  curved  from  its  origin.  Nosthii.s  basal,  half  closed 
by  an  arched  menibranB,  and  hidden  by  the  advancing  feathers  of 
the  front.  Tonoije  short,  flesiiy,  and  acuminate.  Eyk-brows  naked, 
scattered  with  retl  papillai.  Fkkt  moderate  ;  tarsus  feathered,  and 
spurless  in  both  se-xes  ;  :)  toes  before,  united  to  the  Ist  articulation; 
one  toe  behind  half  as  long  us  the  inner,  the  whole  usually  furnished 
with  dentellated  borders.  fVhigs  sliort,  rounded;  the  Ist  primary 
short,  and  the  ad  not  so  long  as  the  3d  and  4th  wliich  are  longest. 
Tail  of  18  or  Hi  feathers. 

The  female  of  the  lari^er  species,  very  different  in  plumage  from 
the  male ;  in  the  snialler  kindn  the  wexeH  differ  little  in  appearance. 
Young  of  the  year,  and  in  their  ^M  moult,  similar  to  the  female.  The 
general  moult  twice  in  the  year,  some  (in  inclement  climates)  chang- 
ing greatly  with  the  se.ison. 

These  birds  inhabit  large  forests,  particularly  in  mountainous  coun- 
tries, although  some  are  eciually  addicted  to  plains.  The  Ptarmigans, 
associated  in  numerous  flocks,  are  confined  to  the  glacial  regions  of 
the  north,  or  inhabit  towards  the  summits  of  the  high  mountains  in 
the  centre  of  Europe.  The  Grous  live  in  families,  are  polygamous, 
abandoning  the  female  to  the  charge  of  the  progeny,  and  then 
living  in  solitude.  The  eggs  are  from  8  to  14.  In  their  manners 
they  are  shy,  wild,  and  incipable  of  permanent  domestication.  Their 
food  consists  almost  wholly  of  berries,  buds,  and  leaves,  to  which 
seeds  are  only  an  accessory,  in  extreme  want.  Their  voice  is  sono- 
rous, and  they  have  particular  cries  at  the  period  of  reproduction. 
Their  flesh,  as  game,  is  considered  superior  to  all  others.  They  are 
confined  to  the  cold  and  temperate  climates  of  the  northern  hemis- 
phere, and  the  arctic  species  alone  are  common  to  both  continents. 


RDH. 


KUrrSO  GROU8. 


667 


[Common  Quail  of  Kiirnpe. 
>rrii|{inou*.  lU'gion  round 
I'liinil  the  eyf  a  ililll  yellow- 
>lcir  hnuruli  tlie  black  of  the 
Uowixh  witli  »lfmliir  crei- 
witii  a  loiigit'iilinal  yf  llow- 
:uneiform.      Legii  and  bill 


0,  Lin.) 

at  the  base  ;  upper  inandi- 
NosTiiii.s  baHttl,  Imlf  closed 
f  the  advancing  fenthers  of 
niinate.  Evk-brows  naked, 
rate  ;  tarsus  feathered,  and 
ited  to  the  Ist  articulation; 
Ihe  whole  usually  furnished 

rounded;  tlie  Ist  primary 
Lud  4th  which  ore  longest. 

different  in  plumage  from 
differ  little  in  appearance, 
similar  to  the  female.  The 
inclement  climates)  chang- 

ularly  in  mountainous  coun- 
to  plains.  The  Ptarmigans, 
jed  to  the  glacial  regions  of 
ts  of  the  high  mountains  in 
n  families,  are  polygamous, 
of  the  progeny,  and  then 
8  to  14,  In  their  monners 
lanent  domestication.  Their 
buds,  and  leaves,  to  which 
want.  Their  voice  is  sono- 
the  period  of  reproduction, 
rior  to  all  others.  They  are 
ites  of  the  northern  heniis- 
3mmon  to  bothcontinenta. 


SiilignnuH.  —  BoNAsiA.    {Bonap.) 

Lower  portion  of  the  tnriuf ,  and  toM  naked.  Tail  long  and 
rounded.  The  head  adorned  with  a  crest  anil  ruff.  The  feinal* 
nearly  siniilar  to  the  male  ;  and  the  plumage  almii^t  alike  through- 
out the  year.  The  flesh  white.  These  live  cliiefly  in  thick  foreiU 
and  affect  the  hills  and  uplands. 


RUFFED  GROUS. 

( Tetrao  umbtUus,  L.  Wilsos,  vi.  p.  45.  pi.  49.  [male.]) 

Sp.  Cii*RACT.  —  Mottled;  tail  grey  or  ferriiginoui,  of  18  feathers, 
speckled  and  barred  with  black,  and  ivith  a  black  subterminal 
band.  —  Male  with  a  ruff  of  broad  black  featiidrs  on  the  lidei  of 
the  neck.  —  In  the/emuietlie  ruffsmaller,  dusky-brown. 

This  beautiful  species  of  Grous,  known  by  the  name 
of  Pheasant  in  the  Middle  and  Western  States,  and  by 
that  of  Partridge  in  New  England,  is  found  to  inhabit 
the  continent  from  Hudson's  Bay  to  Georgia,  but  are  most 
abundant  in  the  Northern  and  Middle  States,  where  they 
often  prefer  the  most  elevated  and  wooded  districts  ;  and 
at  the  south  they  affect  the  mountainous  rarges  aud 
valleys  which  border  upon,  or  lie  within,  the  chains  of  the 
Alleghanies.  They  are  also  prevalent  in  the  Western 
States  as  far  as  the  line  of  the  territory  of  Mississippi,  but 
appear  to  be  unknown  to  the  west  of  that  great  river, 
where  the  Pinnated  Grous  is  so  abundant. 

Although,  properly  speaking,  sedentary,  yet  at  the  ap- 
proach of  autumn,  according  to  Audubon,  they  make,  in 
common  with  the  following  species,  partial  migrations  by 
single  families  in  quest  of  a  supply  of  food,  and  sometimes 
even  cross  the  Ohio  in  the  course  of  their  peregrinations. 
In  the  northern  parts  of  New  England  they  appear  also 
to  be  partially  migratory  at  the  approach  of  winter,  and 
leave  the  hills  for  lower  and  more  sheltered  situations. 


n 


658 


<IALI.INACEOr8  BIHDM. 


So  prompt,   iiidetil,  at  times  nro   their  movements,   that 
in  tiic  present   sen-'on  (Novembfr,  18:U),    in  travelling 
nearly  to  the  extremity  of  New  Hampshire,  not   a  single 
bird   of  till!  species  was  now  to  he  seen,  us  they  had,  no 
doubt,  migrated  southward  with  the  first  threr.H'iiing  and 
untimely  snow  which  had  fallen,  being  indeed,  so  unus- 
ually   abundant,    previously    to    that    period,    as   to  sell 
in   the   market  of   Boston    as   low  na    12;^  cents  apiece. 
Although  elevated  countries  and  rocky  situations  thickly 
overgrown  with  bushes  and  dense   evergreens,  by  rivers 
and  brooks,  are  their  chosen  situations,  yet  at  times  they 
freciuent  the  low  lands  and  more  open  pine  forests  in  the 
vicinity  of  our  northern  towns  and  cities,  nnd   are  even 
occasionally  content  to  seek  a  retreat,  far  from   their  fa- 
vorite hills,  in  the  <lepth  of  a  Kentucky  canc-brakc.  They 
arc   somewhat   abundant  in  the  shrubby  oak  barrens  of 
Kentucky  and   Tennessee  in  which  their  food  abounds. 
This  consists  commonly  in  the  spring  and  fall,  of  the  buds 
of  trees,  the  catkins  of  the   hazel  and  alder,  even  fern 
buds,  ocorns,  ami  seeds  of  various  kinds,  among  which  I 
have  met  with  the  capsules,  including  the  seeds,  of  the 
common    small   Canadian   Cistus   {IliUanthemum).      At 
times,  I  have  seen  the  crop  almost  entirely  filled  with  the 
buds  of  the  Apple  tree,  each  connected  with  a  portion  of 
the  twig,  the   wood  of  which  appears  to  remain   a  good 
while  undigested  ;  cinquefoil  and  strawberry  leaves,  buds 
of  the  Azaleas  and  of  the  broad-leaved  Kaltnia,  with  the 
favorite   Partridge  berries  {(inulthnia  prorumhem) ,  ivy 
berries  {Cissus  hederacea),  and  gravel  pebbles,  are  also 
some  of  the  many  articles  which  form  the  winter  fare  of 
our  biid.     In   summer,  they  seem  often  to  prefer  berries 
of  various   kinds,   particularly  dew-berries,  strawberries, 
grapes,  and  whortleberries. 


llttDH. 

their  inovcinenls,  tlifit 
r,  1831),  ill  triiveiling 
IiimpNhiro,  not  a  single 
>e  seen,  ns  tiioy  liad,  no 
he  first  tlircr.fening  and 
being  indeed,  so  unuB- 
liiat  period,  as  to  sell 
,v  as  I'iy  cciitH  apiece, 
rocky  situations  thickly 
[)  evergreens,  by  rivers 
itions,  yet  at  times  they 
open  pine  forests  in  tho 
nd  cities,  nnd  ore  even 
treat,  far  from  their  fa- 
iicky  cane-brake.  They 
shrubby  oak  barrens  of 
ich  their  food  abounds, 
•ing  and  fail,  of  the  buds 
;el  and  alder,  even  fern 
IS  kinds,  among  which  I 
luding  the  seeds,  of  tho 
I  {Hrlianthemtim).  At 
st  entirely  filled  with  the 
nected  with  a  portion  of 
pears  to  remain   a  good 

strawberry  leaves,  buds 
leaved  Kalmia,  with  the 
Ithnia  prontmhens),  ivy 
gravel  pebbles,  arc   also 

I  form  the  winter  fare  of 

II  often  to  prefer  berries 
ew-berries,  strawberries, 


nvmn  nnous. 


050 


In  the  month  of  April,  tho  HufTcd  Orous  begins  to  bo 
recognised  by  liis  peculiar  ilruninuiif:;,  heard  soon  after 
dawn,  and  towards  the  close  of  evening.  At  lengtii,  as 
the  season  of  pairing  approaches,  it  is  heard  louder  and 
moro  frequent  till  a  later  hour  of  the  day,  and  commenc- 
es again  towards  the  close  of  the  nflernoon.  This  .sono- 
rous crepitating  sou  id,  strongly  resemi)ling  a  low  peal  of 
distant  thunder,  is  produced  by  the  male,  who,  as  a  pre- 
liminary to  the  operation,  stands  u|)right  on  a  prostrate 
log,  parading  with  erected  tail  and  ruH',  and  witli  drooping 
wings  in  the  manner  of  the  Turkey.  After  swelling  out 
his  fcalhers,  and  strutting  forth  for  a  few  moments,  at  a 
sudden  impulse,  like  the  motions  of  a  crowing  Cock,  he 
draws  down  his  elevated  plumes,  and  strrN  hing  himself 
forward,  loudly  beats  his  sides  witli  his  wings,  with  such 
an  accelerating  motion,  after  the  first  few  strokes,  as  to 
cause  the  tremor  described,  which  may  be  heard  reverber- 
ating, in  a  still  morning,  to  tlie  distance  of  from  a  quar- 
ter to  that  of  half  a  mile.  This  curious  signal  is  repeat- 
ed at  intervals  of  about  0  or  8  minutes.  The  same  sound 
is  also  heard  in  autumn  ns  well  as  spring,  and  given  by 
the  caged  bird  as  well  as  the  free,  being,  at  times,  merely 
an  instinctive  expression  of  hilarity  and  vigor.  To  this 
parading  grodnd,  regularly  resorted  to  by  the  male,  for 
the  season,  if  undisturbed,  the  female  flies  with  alacrity; 
but,  as  with  other  species  of  tlic  f^nus,  no  lasting  individ- 
ual attachment  is  formed,  and  tin  y  live  in  a  state  of  lim- 
ited concubinage.  The  drumming  parade  of  the  male  is 
likewise  often  the  signal  for  a  quarrel;  ant'  ..lien  they 
happen  to  meet  each  other  in  the  vicinity  of  their  usual 
and  stated  walks,  obstinate  battles,  like  those  of  our  do- 
mestic fowls  for  the  sovereignty  of  the  dung-hill,  bu  ,  'o 
commonly  succeed.  When  this  sound,  indeed,  (accoroi.  j 
to  Audubon,)  is  imitated  by  striking  carefully  upon  an 


660 


GALLINACEOUS   BIRDS. 


inflated  blcdder  with  a  stick,  the  jealous  male,  full  of 
anger,  rushes  forth  from  liis  concealment,  and  falls  an 
easy  prey  to  tlie  wily  sportsman. 

Some  time  in  May,  the  female  selects  some  thicket  or 
the  side  of  a  fallen  log,  in  a  dense  part  of  the  woods,  for 
the  situation  of  her  nest.  This  is  formed  merely  of  a 
handful  of  withered  leaves,  collected  from  the  surround- 
ing and  similar  surface  of  the  ground.  The  eggs,  10  to 
15,  more  or  less,  are  of  an  uniform  dull  yellowish  color. 
The  young  run  about  as  soon  as  hatched,  and  in  about  a 
week  or  10  days  are  able  in  some  degree  to  make  "se  of 
their  wings.  The  mother  now  leads  them  out  in  search 
of  their  appropriate  and  delicate  fo'>d,  and  broods  them  at 
night  benerth  her  wings,  like  the  common  hen  ;  she  like- 
wise defends  them  by  every  stratagem  which  affection 
can  contrive.  On  the  appearance  of  an  enemy,  she  sim- 
ulates lameness  to  impose  on  the  unwelcome  spectator  ; 
while  the  young  themselves  squat  on  the  ground,  by 
which  they  are  secured,  from  their  similarity  to  its  surface. 

During  summer,  these  birds  are  fona  of  basking  and 
dusting  themselves,  and  for  this  purpose  arc  now  and 
then  seen  in  the  public  roads.  When  flushed,  and  on 
the  instant  of  rising  from  the  ground,  the  bird  usually 
utters  a  cackling  note,  quickly  repeated  about  half  a 
dozen  times,  and  also  before  rising  utters  a  very  peculiar 
lisping  whistle.  Like  the  Ptarmigan,  the  Ruffed  Grous, 
when  alarmed  in  winter,  is  frequently  known  to  plunge 
into  the  soft  snow,  and  burrow  out  at  such  a  distance  as 
frequently  io  elude  the  pursuit  of  the  hunter.  Besides 
other  successful  methods  of  destruction  which  await  the 
devoted  Grous,  snares  and  traps  of  various  kinds  are  em- 
ployed to  aiiest  them.  They  are  even  smoked  to  death, 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  Wild  Pigeons,  in  the  western 
country,  while  sleeping  harmlessly  and  unsuspectingly  on 


BIRDS. 


RUFFED  GUOUS. 


()61 


le  jealous  male,  full   of 
ncealincnt,   and  falls  an 

selecis  some  thicket  or 
ie  part  of  the  woods,  for 
s  is  formed  merely  of  a 
BCted  from  the  surround- 
ound.  The  eggs,  10  to 
)rm  dull  yellowish   color. 

hatched,  and  in  about  a 
le  degree  to  make  "se  of 
eads  them  out  in  search 
fold,  and  broods  them  at 
)  common  hen  ;  she  like- 
atagem  which  affection 
ce  of  an  enemy,  she  sim- 
le  unwelcome  spectator ; 
[uat  on  the  ground,  by 
ir  similarity  to  its  surface, 
are  fonu  of  basking  and 
is  purpose  arc   now    and 

When  flushed,  and  on 
rround,    the  bird  usually 

repeated  about  half  a 
ing  utters  a  very  peculiar 
iigan,thc  Ruffed  Grous, 
[uently  known  to  plunge 
out  at  such  a  distance  as 
of  the  hunter.  Besides 
truction  which  await  the 

of  various  kinds  are  em- 
e  even  smoked  to  death, 
I  Pigeons,  in  the  western 
dy  and  unsuspectingly  on 


their  leafy  roosts.  By  this  system  of  indiscriminate  extir- 
pation, they  are  now  greatly  thinned  throughout  tiie  more 
populous  parts  of  the  Union ;  and  sell  in  Philadelphia 
and  New  York  fro.n  75  cents  to  a  dollar  apiece.  The 
common  price  of  these  birds,  decidedly,  as  I  think,  with 
Audubon,  superior  in  flavor  to  the  Pinnated  Grous,  is,  in 
the  market  of  Boston,  from  40  to  50  cents  the  pair,  show- 
ing how  much  m'^re  abundant  the  species  is  in  the  rocky 
regions  of  New  England  than  in  any  other  part  of  Amer- 
ica. Deleterious  effects  have  sometimes  occurred  from 
eating  this  game,  supposed  to  arise  from  their  feeding 
on  the  buds  of  the  broad-leaved  Kalmia  ;  yet  most  persons 
CO  lem  with  safety  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  even 
when  these  kinds  of  buds  have  been  found  almost  filling 
the  stomach. 

The  length  of  this  species  is  about  18  inches,  alar  extent  2  feet. 
Head,  neck,  and  crest,  black  and  pale  chesnut  in  spots  and  bars.  Low- 
er part  of  the  back  and  rump  dusky,  the  feathers  broadly  terminated 
with  chesnut  and  grey,  mottled  with  dusky,  a  roundish  paler  spot  to- 
wards the  ends  of  the  feathers.  The  black  ruff  presenting  violet  re- 
flections ;  coverts  of  the  wings  more  mottled  and  rufous,  a  number  of 
the  tertials,  with  conspicuous  oblong  whiti^^h-brown  spots  on  the  outer 
webs  only  ;  primaries  pale  dusky,  tlie  inner  webs  brownisli- white  with 
darkish  spots  ;  4th  primary  longest,  long  axillary  feathers  white  with 
grey  bars.  Throat  pale  rufous,  with  dusky  spots  below  the  feathers 
with  pale  rufous  and  grey  bars,  and  broad  white  tips ;  downy  vent 
feathers  appearing  nearly  white ;  tlie  lower  tail-coverts  pale  rufous 
with  inverse  arrow-heads  of  white.  The  flanks  most  distinctly  bar- 
red. Feet  and  bill  pale  livid  brown.  Iris  hazel.  In  many  birds  the 
tail  is  almost  wholly  grey  ;  in  others  ferruginous,  and  the  general 
plumage  brighter  brown.  — In  .Audulion's  bird,  much  brighter  than 
they  ever  occur  in  New  England  ;  the  axillary  feathers  are  said  to 
be  light  chesnut  only. 


56 


1 


m 


muumttmimMmiiummUmmiMtm 


062 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 


Subgenus.  —  Tetrao. 

Tarsus  wholly  feathered  ;  toes  naked.  Not  varying  sensibly  with 
the  seasons.  The  flesh  black.  These  inhabit  temperate  and  almost 
mild  regions,  and  dwell  in  plains  and  level  aa  well  as  mountainous 
countries. 


PINNATED  GROUS. 

(Tetrao  cupido,L.  Wilson,  iii.  p.  104.pl.  27.  fig.  1.  [male.]    Phil. 

Museum,  No.  4700, 4701.) 

Sp.  Ciiaract.  —  Partly  crested,  mottled;  tail  rather  short,  much 
rounded,  formed  of  18  nearly  plain  dusky  feathers,  tipped  with 
whitish ;  primaries  externally  spotted  with  brownish  white.  — 
In  the  male  the  neck  is  furnished  with  wing-like  appendages.  — 
Female  and  young  without  the  cervical  tufls. 

CiioosiNo  particular  districts  for  residence,  the  Grous, 
or  Prairie-Hen,  is  consequently  by  far  less  common  than 
the  preceding  species.  Confined  to  dry,  barren,  and 
bushy  tracts,  of  small  extent,  they  are  in  several  places 
now  wholly  or  nearly  exterminated.  Along  the  Atlantic 
coast,  they  are  still  met  with  on  the  Grous  plains  of  New 
Jersey,  on  the  briishy  plains  of  Long  Island,  in  similar 
shrubby  barrens  in  Westford,  Connecticut,  in  the  island  of 
Martha's  Vinyard  on  the  south  side  of  Massachusetts  Bay  ; 
and  formerly,  as  probably  in  many  other  tracts,  according 
to  the  information  which  I  have  received  from  Lieut.  Gov- 
ernor Winlhrop,  they  were  so  common  on  the  ancient  bushy 
site  of  the  city  of  Boston,  that  laboring  people  or  ser- 
vants stipulated  with  their  employers  not  to  have  the  Heath- 
Hen  brought  to  table  ofiener  than  a  few  times  in  the  week  ! 
According  to  Wilson,  they  are  also  still  met  with  among 
the  scrub-oak  and  pine-hills  of  Pocono,  in  Northampton 
county,  Pennsylvania.  They  are  also  rather  common 
throughout  the  barrens  of  Kentucky,  and  on  the  prairies 


mism^itmgiita*r^ 


BIRDS. 


ETBAO. 

I.  Not  varying  sensibly  with 
inhabit  temperate  and  almost 
evel  as  well  as  mountainous 


fROUS. 

pi.  27.  fig.  1.  [male.]    Phil. 

),4701.) 

ed ;  tail  rather  short,  much 

1  dusky  feathers,  tipped  with 

ted  with  brownish  white. — 

ith  wing-like  appendages.  — 

ical  tuila. 

or  residence,  the  Grous, 
)y  far  less  common  than 
ed  to  dry,  barren,  and 
ey  are  in  several  places 
ed.  Along  the  Atlantic 
the  Grous  plains  of  New 
Long  Island,  in  similar 
inccticut,  in  the  island  of 
le  of  Massachusetts  Bay  ; 
y  other  tracts,  according 
eceived  from  Lieut.  Gov- 
mon  on  the  ancient  bushy 
laboring  people  or  ser- 
3rs  not  to  have  the  Hcath- 
a  few  times  in  the  week  ! 
ilso  still  met  with  among 
Pocono,  in  Northampton 
are  also  rather  common 
cky,  and   on  the  prairies 


PINNATED  GROUS. 


003 


of  Indiana,  and  as  far  south  as  Nashville  in  Tennessee  ; 
but  I  believe,  no  where  more  abundant  than  in  the  plains 
of  Missouri,  whence  they  continue  to  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  arc  even  found  in  tlie  remote  region  of  Oregon. 
Dislike  of  moisture,  as  with  the  Turkey,  but  principally 
the  nature  of  their  food,  appears  to  iniluence  them  in  the 
choice  of  their  resort.  The  small  acorns  of  the  dwarf 
oaks,  and  various  kinds  of  wild  fruits,  as  strawberries, 
whortle-berries,  and  partridge-berries,  with  occasional 
insects,  abounding  in  these  wooded  thickets,  appear  to 
be  the  principal  inducement  to  their  residence  ;  from 
which  they  rarely  wander  at  any  season,  unless  compel- 
led by  a  failure  of  their  usual  food,  and  so  become,  not- 
withstanding the  almost  inaccessible  nature  of  the  ground, 
a  sure  prey  to  the  greedy  and  exterminating  hunter.  In 
the  Western  States,  where  they  appear  as  an  abundant 
species,  they  are,  at  times,  observed  to  traverse  the  plains 
and  even  cross  extensive  rivers  in  quest  of  the  means  of 
subsistence.  In  winter  they  likewise  feed  on  buds  as  well 
as  mast,  sometimes  swallowing  leaves,  and  occasion- 
ally the  buds  of  the  pine.  At  times,  if  convenient,  they 
have  been  known  to  visit  the  buck-wheat  field,  for  their 
fare,  or  even  devour  the  leaves  of  clover.  In  wintry  storms 
they  seek  shelter  by  perching  in  the  evergreens  ;  but  in 
spring  and  summer  they  often  roost  on  the  ground  in 
company.  They  feed  mostly  in  the  morning  and  evening  ; 
and  when  they  can  stir  abroad  without  material  molesta- 
tion, they  often  visit  arable  lands  in  the  vicinity  of  their 
retreats.  In  the  inclemency  of  winter,  like  the  Quail, 
they  approach  the  barn,  basking  and  perching  on  the 
fences,  occasionally  venturing  to  mix  with  the  poul- 
try in  their  repast ;  and  are  then  often  taken  in  traps. 

The  season  for  pairing  is  early  in  the  spring,  in  March 
or  April.     At  this  time  the  behaviour   of  the   male  be- 


664 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 


comes  remarkable.  Early  in  the  morning  he  comes  forth 
from  his  bushy  roost,  and  struts  about  with  a  curving 
neck,  raising  his  ruff,  expandiug  his  tail  like  a  fan, 
and  seeming  to  mimic  the  ostentation  of  the  Turki  y.  He 
now  seeks  out  or  meets  his  rival,  and  several  pairs  at  a 
time,  as  soon  as  they  become  visible  through  the  dusky 
dawn,  are  seen  preparing  for  combat.  Previously  to  this 
rencontre,  the  male,  swelling  out  his  throat,  utters  what 
is  called  a  tooting,  a  ventriloqual,  humming  call  on  the 
female,  three  times  repeated,  somewhat  similar  to  the 
humming  jar  of  the  Night  Hawk  ;  and,  though  uttered  in 
so  low  a  key,  it  may  yet  be  heard  3  or  4  miles  in  a  still 
morning.  While  engaged  in  fighting  with  each  other, 
the  males  are  heard  to  utter  a  rapid,  petulant  cackle, 
something  in  sound  like  excessive  laughter.  The  tooting 
is  heard  from  before  day-break  till  6  or  9  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  As  they  frequently  assemble  at  these  scratching- 
places,  as  they  are  called,  ambuscades  of  bushes  are  form- 
ed round  thern,  and  many  are  shot  from  these  coverts. 

The  female  carefully  conceals  her  nest  in  some  grassy 
tussuck  on  the  ground,  and  is  but  seldom  discovered. 
The  eggs  are  from  10  to  12 ;  and  of  a  plain  brownish 
color.  The  young  are  protected  and  attended  by  the  fe- 
male only,  who  broods  them  under  her  wings  in  the  man- 
ner of  the  common  fowl,  and  leads  them  to  places  suitable 
for  their  food,  sometimes  venturing  with  her  tender 
charge  to  glean  along  the  public  paths.  When  thus  sur- 
prised, the  young  dart  into  the  neighbouring  bushes,  and 
there  skulk  for  safety,  while  the  wily  parent  beguiles  the 
spectator  with  her  artful  pretences  of  lameness.  The 
affectionate  parent  and  her  brood  thus  keep  together 
throughout  the  whole  season.  By  the  aid  of  a  dog  they 
are  easily  hunted  out,  and  are  readily  set,  as  they  are 
not  usually  inclined  to  take  wing.     In  the  prairies,  how- 


•  ftifvwmjit'iw^'  ■ 


IIRDS. 


COCK  OP  THE  PLAINS. 


666 


morning  he  comes  forth 
aboui  with   a  curving 
g    hia   tail    like   a    fan, 
ition  of  the  Tiirki  y.  He 
I,  and  several  pairs  at  a 
sible  through  the  dusky 
ibat.     Previously  to  this 
t  his  throat,  utters  what 
I,  humming  call  on  the 
omewhat   similar  to  the 
;  and,  though  uttered  in 
1  3  or  4  miles  in  a  still 
fhting  with  each  other, 
rapid,   petulant  cackle, 
;  laughter.     The  tooting 
ill  8  or  9  o'clock  in  the 
mble  at  these  scratching- 
:ade8  of  bushes  are  form- 
ot  from  these  coverts, 
her  nest  in  some  grassy 
but  seldom  discovered, 
tnd  of    a  plain  brownish 
1  and  attended  by  the  fe- 
er  her  wings  in  the  man- 
Is  them  to  places  suitable 
turing    with    her    tender 
paths.     When  thus  sur- 
eighbouring  bushes,  and 
wily  parent  beguiles  the 
ices  of  lameness.     The 
ood   thus   keep  together 
3y  the  aid  of  a  dog  they 
readily  set,   as  they    are 
;.     In  the  prairies,  how- 


ever, they  not  unfrequently  rise  to  the  low  boughs  of  trees, 
and  then,  staring  about  without  much  alarm,  they  be- 
come an  easy  prey  to  the  marksman. 

The  ordinary  weight  of  a  full  grown  bird  is  about  three 
pounds,  and  they  now  sell,  when  they  are  to  be  had,  in 
New  York  and  Boston,  from  3  to  5  dollars  tiie  pair. 
They  have  been  raised  under  the  Common  Hen,  but 
prove  so  vagrant  as  to  hold  out  no  prospect  of  domestica- 
tion. 

The  Grous,  or  Heath-Hen,  as  it  was  also  formerly  called  by  the  first 
settlers,  is  about  1!)  inches  long,  and  27  in  alar  extent.  Tlie  wing-like 
tufts  on  the  sides  of  the  neck,  each  consisting  of  18  feathers,  of  une- 
qual length,  are  black,  streaked  with  brown.  I  have  not  l)een  able 
to  find  the  vesicular  openings  mentioned  by  Wilson,  beneath  these 
appendages.  Over  the  eye  a  warty  bare  space  of  an  orange-color. 
Chin  cream-color.  Above  mottled  transversely  with  black,  pale  ru- 
fous, and  white.  Tail  short,  much  rounded,  and  plain  dusky,  brown- 
ish-white at  the  tip,  with  one  web  of  the  middle  feather  sometimes 
mottled  with  black  and  pale  brown.  Below  pale  brown  and  white. 
Feet  dull  yellow,  the  toes  pectinated.  Vent  whitish.  Iris  reddish 
hazel. —  The  female  considerably  smaller,  r  .d  without  the  neck 
wings  and  yellow  space  over  the  eye. 


COCK  OF  THE  PLAINS. 

(Tetraonropliasianus,  Bobap.  Am,  Orn.  iii.  pi.  21.  fig.  1.  [female.] 
Leadbeater's  Museum,  London.) 

Sp.   Chahact.  —  Tail  wedge-shaped,    of  20   narrow,    acuminated 
feathers.  —  Male  very  dark.  —  Female  and  young  mottled. 

This  large  and  beautiful  species  of  Grous,  little  infe- 
rior to  the  Turkey  in  size,  and  the  American  counterpart 
of  the  Cock  of  the  Woods,  was  first  seen  by  Lewis  and 
Clarke  in  thu  wild  recesses  within  the  central  chains  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  from  whence  they  extend  in  ac- 
cumulating numbers  to  the  plains  of  the  Columbia,  and 
are  common  throughout  the  Oregon  Territory,  as  well 
56* 


^'<«l*l«B»»l*BW?'^^F^'WBs-^^ 


;-;:i,^•VJ^"-*ag^■-^*i^a^E*^:ie^i•J 


066 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 


probably  as  the  ncigbbourin":  province  of  California.  The 
polygainous  male,  in  the  curly  part  of  the  breeding  sea- 
son, is  very  pugnacious  ;  and  tlie  whole  with  their  young 
are  at  length  seen  in  flocks  foraging  for  their  subsistence 
in  the  usual  way.  Its  favorite  food,  according  to  its  dis- 
coverers, is  what  they  term  the  pulpy-leafed  thorn  ;  and 
as  their  mode  of  living  is  stated  to  be  similar  to  that  of 
the  Grous,  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  they  subsist 
also  equally  on  buds  and  berries.  When  roused,  it  is 
heard  to  utter  a  cackling  note,  something  similar  to  the 
cry  of  the  common  fowl.  Its  flesh  is  dark  and  less  pala- 
table than  that  of  other  species. 

The  female ,'  or  young  male  of  this  species  is  28  to  30  inches  in  length. 
Above  blackish,  minutely  and  clos,ely  dotted  and  mottled  with  brown- 
ish white,  and  here  and  there  slightly  tinged  with  pale  yellowish 
xufous.  Throat  paler,  a  pure  white  space  along  tlie  lower  side  of  the 
neck,  approaching  the  breast.  Primaries  plain  dusky,  except  the 
outer  web  of  the  exterior  feather,  which  is  somewhat  mottled  ;  sec- 
ondaries tipped  with  White ;  under  wing-coverts  and  long  axillary 
feathers  silvery  white.  Wings  12  inches  long.  Breast  greyish,  mot- 
tled with  black,  and  on  each  side  below  is  a  pure  white  space  ;  a 
broad  cblong  patch  of  brownish-black  occupies  a  space  between  the 
lower  part  of  the  breast  and  belly.  Tlie  vent  appears  pale  brownish- 
white,  transversely  mottled  with  dusky  ;  the  sides  beneath  the  wings 
the  same,  but  darker.  Tail  10  inches,  dusky,  mottled  with  brownish- 
white  ;  lateral  feathers  nearly  spotless  on  their  inner  vanes,  termina- 
ted with  pale  tips  ;  2  central  feathers  longest,  the  whole  graduated 
into  a  general  oval,  the  tail  when  open  being  rounded. 


DUSKY  GROUS. 

{Tetrao  obscurus,  Say,  Bokap.  Am.  Orn.  iii.  pi.  18.  [female]    Phil. 

Museum.) 

Sp.  CiiARACT.  — Tail  somewhat  rounded,  of  20  broad  blackish  feath- 
ers, with  a  wide  terminal  greyish  mottled  band  ;  anterior  primaries 
spotless  —Jtfaie  black.  —  Female  and  young  dusky,  somewhat 
mottled. 


^V" 


ninns. 

vince  of  California.  The 
art  of  the  brcedin}^  sca- 
3  whole  with  their  young 
ring  for  their  subsistence 
lod,  according  to  its  dis- 
pulpy-leafcd  thorn  ;  and 
to  be  similar  to  that  of 
doubt  that  they  subsist 
■s.  When  roused,  it  is 
something  similar  to  the 
sh  is  dark  and  less  pala- 

lies  is  28  to  30  inches  in  length, 
otted  and  mottled  with  brown- 
(T  tinged  with  pale  yellowish 
.ce  along  tlie  lower  side  of  the 
ries  plain  dusky,  except  the 
ch  is  somewhat  mottled  ;  sec- 
iiig-coverts  and  long  axillary 
les  long.  Breast  greyish,  mot- 
low  is  a  pure  white  space ;  a 
occupies  a  space  between  the 
le  vent  appears  pale  brownish- 
■ ;  the  sides  beneath  the  wings 
lusky,  mottled  with  brownish- 
on  their  inner  vanes,  termina- 
longest,  the  whole  graduated 
I  being  rounded. 


lOUS. 

rn.  iii.  pi.  18.  [female.]     Fhil. 

) 

led,  of  20  broad  blackish  feath- 
lottled  band  ;  anterior  primaries 

and  young  dusky,  somewhat 


SPOTTED  GR0U8. 


667 


CoNCF.RNiNii  this  fine  species,  almost  representing  the 
Black  Grous  (7*.  tctrii)  of  Europe,  we  know  as  yet  noth- 
ing more  than  that  it  was  shot  by  Major  Long's  exploring 
party,  on  the  10th  of  July,  1820,  in  one  of  the  romantic 
and  wild  bushy  ravines  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  near  to 
where  the  lofty  ciiain  divides  the  waters  of  the  Atlantic 
and  Pacific  oceans.  As  it  rose  to  fly,  like  other  species 
it  uttered  a  cackling  note.  Mr.  Sabine's  specimen  of 
the  male,  mentioned  by  Bonaparte,  was  probaiily  obtain- 
ed in  the  interior  of  arctic  America. 

The  female  Dnsky  GStous  is  16  inches  in  length.  {The  male  a 
little  larger,  and  wliolly  black,  or  very  dusky,  witli  the  tail-feathers 
of  the  same  unvaried  dark  tint.)  The  general  color  of  tiie  female 
blackish  l)rown,  nmeh  lighter  on  the  neck  and  beneath,  Jiaving  all 
the  feathers  barred  and  tipped  with  pale  ochreous,  inclining  to  brown  ; 
thesa  lighter  portions  of  most  of  the  feathers  are  thickly  mottled 
with  black.  Sides  of  the  head  and  throat  whitish,  witli  dusky  spots, 
The  flanks  varied  with  rufous.  Abdominal  region  plain  cinereous; 
3d  and  'dh  primaries  nearly  equal ;  primaries,  secondaries,  and  outer 
wing-coverts,  plain  dusky  ;  the  secondaries  iiave  ochreous  zig-zag 
marks  on  their  outer  webs,  and  are  slightly  tipped  with  dull  whitish ; 
the  primaries  also  somewhat  mottled  with  dingy  white  externally, 
but  are  wholly  without  the  regular  white  spots,  seen  in  other  Grous  ; 
under  wing-coverts,  and  long  axillary  feathers,  pure  white.  Tail  7i 
inches,  the  middle  feathers  only  with  rufous  mottled  bars,  the  whole 
terminated  with  a  broad  terminal  band  of  cinereous,  speckled  minute- 
ly with  blackish. 


SPOTTED  GROUS. 

(Tetrao  canadensis,  Lin.  Bonap.  Am.  Orn.  iii.  pi.  20.  [male.]  pi.  21. 
fig.  2.  [female.]     Phil.  Museum.) 

Sp.  Charact.  —  Tail  moderate,  rounded,  of  10  broad  black  feathers; 
sides  of  the  neck,  breast,  flanks,  and  tail-coverts  spotted   with 

white Male  black,  waved  with  grey  ;  the  throat  and  breast 

deep  black.  —  Femai e  mach  lighter  mottled  ;  throat  and  breast 
banded  with  black  and  rufous. 


/ 


668 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS, 


This  dark  species  of  Grous  inhabits  the  cold  regions 
of  Hudson's  Hny  throughout  tlio  wholo  year,  where  it 
frequents  tiic  bushy  plains.  To  the  south  of  this  country, 
it  appears  to  seeit  out  the  alpine  elevations,  being  met 
with  in  the  Wliito  Mountains  of  New  Hampshire,  and 
throughout  a  great  portion  of  the  northern  Andes,  to- 
wards the  sources  of  the  Missouri  and  Oregon.  In  win- 
ter it  visits  Canada,  the  interior  of  Maine,  Michigan, 
sometimes  the  state  of  New  York  ;  and  it  even  breeds 
around  Halifax  in  Nova  Scotia.  In  Canada  it  is  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Wood  Partridge  ;  by  others  it  is  called 
the  Cedar  or  Spruce  Partridge.  Sometimes  they  are 
sent  in  a  frozen  state  from  Nova  Scotia  and  New  Bruns- 
wick to  Boston. 

The  favorite  resort  of  this  species  is  in  pine  and  spruce 
woods,  and  cedar  swamps,  which  they  frequent  in  the 
winter  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  on  the  buds,  oily  seeds, 
and  evergreen  foliage,  to  which  they  also  add  juniper 
berries.  Their  flesh,  though  palatable  at  all  times,  is 
considered  best  in  summer,  when  they  feed  much  on  ber- 
ries ;  as  the  buds  of  the  resinous  evergreens  communi- 
cate an  unpleasant  flavor  to  the  game.  As  usual,  they 
nest  on  the  Rround  with  little  art,  in  the  slight  shelter  of 
fallen  leaves  and  bushes,  lind  are  said  by  Pennant  to  lay 
but  5  eggs,  which  are  varied  with  white,  yellow,  and 
black.  They  are  readily  approached,  and  sometimes  so 
unsuspicious,  as,  like  the  Ptarmigan,  to  allow  of  being 
knocked  down  with  a  stick ;  and,  round  Hudson's  Bay, 
are  commonly  caught  by  the  aborigines  in  a  simple  noose 
fastened  to  a  stake.  When  much  disturbed,  however, 
they  betake  themselves  to  trees,  where  they  are  readily 
approached  and  f  hot  down. 

The  Spotted  Grous  is  only  15  inches  in  length,  and  weighs  about 
23  ounces.    The  general  color  is  black  and  grey,  mingled  in  trans- 


IRDS. 


SIIAnP-TAILEn  GII0U8. 


f)G9 


nbitfl  the  cold  regions 
wholo    year,  wliere  it 

3  south  of  this  country, 
elevations,  being  met 
New  Hampshire,   and 

ic  northern  Andes,  to- 

and  Oregon.  In  win- 
of  Maine,  Michigan, 

<  ;   and    it  even  breeds 

In  Canada  it  is  known 

;  by  others  it  is  called 

Sometimes   they  are 

Scotia  and  New  Bruns- 

38  is  in  pine  and  spruce 
li  they  freciuent  in  the 
>n  the  buds,  oily  seeds, 
they  also  add  juniper 
latable  at  all  times,  is 
they  feed  much  on  ber- 
!  evergreens  communi- 
rame.  As  usual,  they 
in  the  slight  shelter  of 
said  by  Pennant  to  lay 
ith  white,  yellow,  and 
hed,  and  sometimes  so 
gan,  to  allow  of  being 
round  Hudson's  Bay, 
gines  in  a  simple  noose 
;h  disturbed,  however, 
ivhere  they  are  readily 

in  length,  and  weighs  about 
and  grey,  mingled  in  trans- 


verse wavy  crescentH.  The  ground  color  of  all  the  feathers  is  black. 
Upper  tail-covertH  l)lack-bro\vn,  mottled  im  their  nmrgins  with  grey- 
ish rusty,  1111(1  broadly  ti|>|(('d  witli  wiiitisli-grcy.  HreiJBt  dt'i'|)  black, 
tiio  ft'.itlifrs  broiidly  terminated  with  white.  Under  tail-coverts  deep 
black,  pure  white  for  half  an  inch  at  their  tips.  Under  wing-coverts 
and  axillary  featlicrH  brownisli  dusky.  H<>m(^  of  tlie  largest  having 
white  shalls  and  terminal  spots.  I'rimaries  dusky,  and  witiiout 
white  spots.  Taihi  inches  long,  almost  entirely  black,  usually  with  a 
broad  riit'ous  tip,  which  is  sometimes  probably  worn  od',  tiiough  feath- 
ers of  tills  kind,  with  the  rufous  termination,  have  been  found  by  Mr. 
Oaks,  in  summer,  on  the  summit  of  the  White  Mountains.  —  The 
female  is  more  than  an  inch  shorter;  and  the  general  plumage  is 
much  more  varied,  with  less  black,  and  more  of  the  ferruginoui. 


SHARP-TAILED  GROUS. 

{Tetrno phasianelhis,  Lin.  Bo.nap.  Am.  Orn.  iii.  pi.  10.  Phil.  Museum.) 

Sp.  Cii  ARACT.  —  Mottled  ;  tail  short,  cuneiform,  of  18  narrow,  square 
feathers,  the  middle  ones  much  the  longest,  tlie  outer  wliite  at 
tire  point.  —  Female  similar  to  the  male.  Winter  plumage,  dark- 
er and  more  glossy. 

This  curious  species  of  Grous  is  also  principally  an 
inhabitant  of  the  coldest  habitable  parts  of  the  American 
continent,  being  found  around  Hudsion's  Bay  in  the  larch 
thickets  throughout  the  whole  year.  It  is  not  uncommon 
in  the  forests  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  is  also  met  with 
abundantly  on  the  plains  of  Oregon,  and  Mr.  Say  saw  it 
in  the  spring  likewise  in  Missouri,  but  little  beyond  the 
settlements,  at  which  season  it  also  visits  the  vicinity  of 
Fort  William,  on  Lake  Superior.  It  is,  as  usual,  shy  and 
solitary,  living  only  in  pairs  throughout  the  summer, 
when  they  subsist  much  upon  berries.  In  autumn  land 
winter  they  are  seen  moving  in  families,  and  frequent 
the  thickets  of  juniper  and  larch,  on  whose  buds,  as 
well  as  those  of  the  birch,  alder,  and  poplar,  they  now 
principally  live.  They  usually  keep  on  the  ground,  but 
if  disturbed  take  to  trees.     When  hard  pressed   by  the 


m 


V-i 


'■  M«MHiffMtiiis)te«s4i£iia3MitniiiMeMKf<^'Mi^^ 


IS  iwmtlfl  MinBlilWH  >tf  MlWI"<^<''y*^'^ 


670 


UAU.INACEOUH   BIRDH. 


hunter,  tliry  soinrtimrs  seek  snfity  l)y  plmiijing  into  the 
snow,  iinil,  (|iiickly  liurrowing  bencatli  it,  conn;  out  at  a 
distance,  iind  ol\en  from  n  situation  tiic  least  expected, 
80  that  they  frequently  make  good  their  retreat  from  their 
enemies. 

The  Sharp-Tailed  Grous  makes  its  nest  on  the  ground, 
near  some  bush,  with  loose  grass  and  u  few  feathers  ; 
the  eggs  are  from  1)  to  IJJ,  white,  with  dusky  spots.  The 
young  arc  hatched  about  the  middle  of  June,  and  utter  a 
pulitig  nolo  somewhat  like  chickens.  Unsuccessful  at- 
tempts have  been  made  to  domesticate  them.  The  male 
has  a  shrill,  rather  feeble,  crowing  note  ;  and  both  sexes, 
when  disiurl)ed,  and  on  taking  wing,  repeat  a  reiterated 
cry  of  />!(/>,  kiifc,  kuk,  accompanied  by  a  smart  flirting  of 
the  tail-feathers,  nearly  similar  to  the  opening  and  clos- 
ing of  a  fan.  In  the  breeding  season  the  male  struts 
about  proudly,  in  the  usual  manner  of  the  genus  and  or- 
der to  which  he  belongs.  The  weight  of  this  bird  is 
about  two  pounds,  and  the  flesh  is  light  brown  when 
cooked,  and  is  much  esteemed. 

The  length  of  tlie  Sharp-Tailed  Grous  is  Ki  inches,  alar  extent  2:5. 
The  general  color  of  the  bin!  is  a  mixture  of  white,  and  different 
shades  of  ferruginouH  on  a  darkish  ground.  Breast  and  sides  white, 
with  arrow-Blmped  spots  of  dusky  ;  the  belly  paler,  vent  almost 
wholly  white,  with  a  few  very  small  dusky  spots;  3d  and  4th  pri- 
maries longest,  outer  wing-coverts  brown,  each  feather  with  a  con- 
spicuous terminal  spot ;  axillary  feathers  white,  with  a  small  dusky 
spot  on  encli.  Quills  plain  dusky,  with  white  spots  at  certain  dis- 
tances on  their  outer  webs ;  secondaries  spotted  and  tipped  with 
white.  Tail  graduated,  the  middle  feathers  5  inches  long,  the  outer 
2,  all  dark,  varied  with  ferruginous  of  different  shades  and  mottled 
with  dusky,  tapering  from  the  base  toward  the  point,  where  they  sud- 
denly dilate,  and  are  emnrginated  at  the  extremity.  The  spring  plum- 
age is  more  bright  than  the  autumnal,  and  likewise  presents  some 
differences  in  the  spots  and  markings. 


I 


■twiwa'fcrai'  !i»rmmi»liMIMM>t  »iiiiliiiiwiilii  Ml 


IIRKM. 

ty  by  pliini,'iiij:;  into  the 
nticath  it,  coiik!  out  nt  a 
ioii  tlic  It'iiNl  expected, 
I  tlieir  retreat  from  thoir 

9  its  iicHt  on  tlio  ground, 
is  ntid  a  few  feathers ; 
vvilli  dusky  spots.  The 
din  of  June,  niid  utter  a 
kens.  Unsuccessful  at- 
ticntc  them.  The  male 
ig  note  ;  and  Imth  sexes, 
i'ing,  repeat  a  reiterated 
cd  by  a  smart  flirting  of 

0  tlie  opening  and  clos- 
scason  the   ninle   struts 

ler  of  the  genus  and  or- 

weight  of  this   bird   is 

h  is  light  brown  when 

1  is  10  inches,  alar  extent  23. 
ttiire  of  white,  and  different 
ind,  Breast  and  sides  white, 
tl>p  belly  paler,  vent  almost 
dusky  spots  ;  3d  and  4lh  pri- 
wn,  each  feather  with  a  con- 
rs  white,  with  a  small  dusky 
h  white  spots  at  certain  dis- 
ries  spotted  and  tipped  with 
thers  5  inches  long,  the  outer 

different  shades  and  mottled 
ard  the  point,  where  they  sud- 
!  extremity.  The  spring  plura- 
,  and  likewise  presents  some 


WHiTB  aaoua,  or  ptarmiuan.  071 


Subgenus.  —  Lahopi'h. 

Tarsus  and  tors  feathered.  Teil  of  Irt  feathers.  They  moult  twice 
in  the  year,  heroininu  white  in  winter,  when  they  ore  gregarioui. 
They  are  probably  nionogamoiii. 


WHITE  GROUS,  or  PTARMIGAN. 

(Tetrao  hunimt,  Lii».  Lath.  Ind.  li.  p.  (;:i<».  sp.  <).  Ptarmignn  and 
Rock  (Irous,  lOKM.  Hynops.  iv.  p,  741,  et  Suppl.  i.  p.  ai7. 
PKNNA.Nr,  Aict.  '/.oo\.  i.  p.  304.  No.  Id4,) 

Sr.  CiiARACT.—  Uill  weak,  compressed  towards  the  point;  naila 
■ububte,  black,  and  curved;  the  male  con.stanlly  with  a  black 
band  throufrl,  the  eyes.  — /■V/;m/c  without  the  dark  acicular  band, 
cicatrire  over  the  eye  smaller.  —  Summer  /iliimdire,  above  irreyish- 
rufous  marked  with  numerous  zig-zag  black  lines,  on  the  breast 
and  flanks  a  great  number  of  black  featliers,  waved  with  pale  ru- 
fous  ;  wings,  all  below  the  breast,  and  feet  pure  white.  The/e- 
male  and  young  less  white, 

TiiK  Ptarmigan  is  one  among  the  very  few  animated 
beings,  wiiich,  by  choice  and  instinct,  constantly  resides 
in  the  coldest  arctic  deserts,  and  in  tiie  lofty  mountains 
of  central  Europe,  where,  as  tlie  snow  begins  to  melt 
away,  it  seeks  out  its  frozen  bed  by  ascending  to  the 
limits  of  eternal  ice.  Like  so  many  otlier  animals  of 
this  inclement  boreal  region,  it  is  common  to  both  the 
old  and  new  continent.  It  is  met  with  in  Siberia,  Kam- 
tskatka,  Greenland,  most  parts  of  northern  Europe,  the 
Highlands  of  Scotland,  and  even  as  far  south  as  the  roman- 
tic  scenes  of  the  lakes  of  Cuniberland,  a  few  being  still 
seen*  in  the  lofty  hills  which  surround  the  vale  of  Kes- 
wick, as  well  as  in  Wales.  In  arctic  America,  they  have 
been  met  with  as  far  as  it  has  ever  been  penetrated.  They 
are  al.so  seen  in  great  numbers  in  the  northern  parts  of 

*  Lathim  in  1783. 


■tiiilriiiiwtUAnaiwilWBl 


at  »!■*<■.  I  >M.-M 


072 


OAM.INACEOUS  IIIRDH. 


Hudson's  fill) ,  where  they  prolmbly  breed ;  mid  in  Nova 
Scotin,  from  thoir  favorite  fiiro,  are  known  by  the  nmno 
of  Birch  Piirtrid;{o«.  OccnNionnlly,  no  doubt,  they  visit 
the  hilly  (•onfuicn  of  tin?  stale  of  Miiinc. 

They  feed  on  many  sorts  of  berrioH,  pnrticiilnrly  the 
crow-berry  ( llmintnim  iiiffrum)nm\  row-hvTty  (  Vaninium 
Vith  Itlfrn),  as  well  as  the  tops  of  the  sume  plant  ;  they 
also  collect  calkins,  buds,  md  the  youn^  shoots  i.f  the 
pine,  heath,  rose-hips,  and  (otnetiiues  the  different  kinds 
oflichens,  which  they  soHrchout  in  the  extensive  burrows 
they  make  beneath  tiio  snow.  To  all  this  liill  of  frugal 
fare,  the  Ptarmigan  also  sometimes  adds  a  few  insects. 
They  search  out  their  food  ciiielly  in  the  morning  and 
evening,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  day  are  observed  some- 
times to  bask  in  the  sun.  Like  the  Es.piimaux  of  the 
huma»i  family,  wlioseiotia  cast  in  the  sauu.-  cold  and  dreary 
region,  tliey  seek  protection  from  the  extreme  sever- 
ity of  the  climate  by  dwelling  in  the  snow  ;  it  is  here  that 
they  commonly  roost  and  work  out  subterraneous  paths.  In  • 
the  morning  as  soon  as  they  leave  ilieir  frozen  dons,  they 
fly  out  vigorously  into  the  air  in  an  upward  direction, 
shaking  the  snow  fron:  their  warm  and  white  clothing. 
While  thus  feeding  they  socially  call  on  one  another  at  in- 
tervals, in  a  loud  tone,  and  sometimes  utter  a  sort  of 
cackling  cry,  almost  like  a  coarse  and  mocking  laugh. 

The  nest,  about  the  middle  of  June,  is  made  in  open 
places  where  moss  abounds,  or  in  the  shelter  of  the  low, 
creeping  bushes,  forming  the  only  woody  growth  of  these 
naked  and  sterile  regions.  The  eggs,  7  to  15,  are  oblong,  of 
a  rufous  yellow,  from  the  great  number  of  large  ami  small 
spots"  of  i)!Bck  or  of  reddish  black  with  which  they  are  cov- 
OTQil  ''.  jm  the  !i  .'e  ng  attachment  of  the  male  to  his 
m-.tv3  whon  killed,  it  is  probable  that  the  species  may  be 
monogamous,  or  even  constantly  mated.  After  the  young 


niRDi. 

bly  brcfld  ,  nnd  in   Nova 
arc  known  by  thn  name 
illy,  no   doubt,  they  visit 
Miiinc. 

borrioH,  pnrticiilnrly  tlio 
nd  cow-bf-rry  ( Varrinhtm 
of  tbi'  sumo  piniit  ;  they 
ihr;  ycun^r  flhoots  of  the 
tiiuos  the  ditreri-nt  kinds 
in  the  extensive  burrows 
To  nil  this  bill  of  frugal 
imon  ndds  a  ft'W  insects, 
clly  in  thn  morning  and 
D  day  are  observed  somc- 
0  the  Kmiuimutix  of  the 
the  sunu!  cold  and  dreary 
om  the  extreme  sever- 
thc  snow  ;  it  is  here  that 
It  subterraneous  paths.  In  ■ 
re  ihcir  frozen  den.s.they 
n  an  upward  direction, 
mrm  and  white  clothing, 
call  on  one  another  at  in- 
metinies  utter  a  sort  of 
le  and  mocking  laugh, 
f  June,  is  made  in  open 
n  the  shelter  of  the  low, 
ly  woody  growth  of  these 
rgs,  7  to  15,  are  oblong,  of 
amber  of  large  and  small 
with  which  they  are  cov- 
jliment  of  the  male  to  his 
B  that  the  species  may  be 
mated.  After  the  young 


1 


wtiirr,  (motrt,  on  ptarmk 


678 


arc  fully  grown,  find  released  from  the  earn  of  their  po- 
rent.«,  they  and  the  old  are  •ecn  to  assembi''  in  flocks  of 
two  or  three  hundred,  about   the  beginning  of  October, 
when  llioy  appear  to  migrate  a  little  to  the  south  in  (jucst 
of  food,  or  rather  from  tlit   mountains  towards  the  plains. 
At  this  time  they  are  seen  in  great  numbers  round  Hud- 
son's  Hay,  where  they  assemble  lor  subsistence;   ami,  as 
the  store  dimini.ihes,  they   pn^ll  their  tardy  migrations  i\\ 
other  directions  for  a  fresh  supply.      I'ususpicious  of  the 
wiles  and  appetites  of  man,  the    I'larmigan   appears  often 
as  tame  as  a  domestic  chicken,  more  particularly  when 
the  weather  is  mild  ;  they  are  allured  <  von  by    crumb^  of 
bread,  and  on  throwing  a  hat  tou  urds  them,  or  any  strange 
object,   they  are  so  attracted  bv   the   appearance,  as  to 
allow  of  an  approach  so  near,  that  a  noose  may  ho  thrown 
round  their  necks,  or,  approached  from  behind,  they  may 
be  knocked  down  with  poles.     Sot  uaimes,  however,  they 
become  wild  enough  to  fly,  but  sm  >\\  grow  weary,  and  a^ 
tame  as  usual.     When   about  to  fly  off"  to  a  distance  from 
the  hunters,  they  are   instantly  brought  to  .settle  down  by 
imitating  the  cry  of  their  enemy  tii     Hawk.     At  times, 
trusting  to  the  concealment  of  their  winter  livery,  they 
will  remain  motionless  upon  the   snou  .  from  which  they 
are  still  distinguishable  by  their  more  i.  i/.zling  whiteness. 
They  are  much  esteemed  as  food  in  e\  i-ry  country  where 
they  occur,  and  are  commonly  taken  i  \  nets,  which  are 
merely  made  to  fall  over  the  place  wht     ■  they  assemble, 
or  to   which  they  are  driven  ;    and  so  n>    ncrous  are  they 
at  Hudson's  Bay,    that  SO  or  70   ar.-   soin   times  obtained 
at  a  single  haul  of  a  net  about  20  feet  sq    ire.     Between 
November  and  April,  as  many  as  10,000  a     taken  for  the 
use  of  the  settlement  ;   and  in  Europe,  dm    ig  the  winter, 
they  are  carried  in   thousands  to  the  mar   et  of  Bergen 
in  Norway,  and  when  half-roasted  or  jerked,  are  put  into 
67 


lifa  1 1 1  »fc*'iWiiaWteMaWI>ilg»*i»i-.. 


674 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 


barrels  and  transported   to  other  countries  as  an  article 
of  commerce. 

The  weight  of  tlie  Ptarmigan  is  about  24  ounces,  the  length  14  to 
18  inches  ;  of  a  pure  white,  with  a  band  of  black  proceeding  from 
the  angle  of  the  bill  througli  the  eyes.  The  lateral  featliers  of  the 
tail  bliick,  terniiniited  witii  a  white  border.  Feet  and  toes  tliickly 
clad  in  woolly  feathers.  A  red  dentellated  cicatrice  over  the  eyes. 
Iria  grey. 


WILLOW  GROUS,  ok  LARGE  PTARMIGAN. 

(Telrao  saliccli,  Tkmm.  Man.  d'Ornith.  ii.  p.  17.5.  [Ed.  alt.]  T.  allnif, 
Gmel.  Lath.  Ind.  ii.  p.  03'.).  White  Partridge.  Pkn.nant,  Arc. 
Zool.  i.  p.  300.  No.  183.     Museum.  Acad.  Nat.  Hist.  Phil.) 

Sp.  Char  act.  —  The  bill  short,  strong,  blunt,  and  depressed  towards 
the  point;  nails  long  and  white,  but  little  curved  ;  no  difference 
between  the  sexes  in  winter.  —  Summer  plumage  above  reddish 
cliesnut  with  waving  black  lines  and  spots,  except  on  the  fore 
part  of  the  neck  ;  beneatli  and  wings  pure  white.  —  Female  and 
young  orange  rufous,  with  larger  black  spots. 

This  larger  species,  called  the  Willow  Grous  by  Hearne, 
the  Wood  Grous  of  the  Norwegians,  is  another  inhabi- 
tant of  both  continents,  extending  its  residence  to  the 
eternal  limits  of  the  polar  ice.  In  Europe,  they  are  very 
rarely  seen  in  the  high  mountains  of  central  Europe. 
They  are  abundant  in  Lapland,  Norway,  Sweden,  Green- 
land, Kamtskatka,  and  Iceland,  always  frequenting  the  for- 
ests in  the  elevated  valleys,  or  the  declivities  of  the  highest 
mounains.  They  are  seldom  seen  further  south  than  Li- 
vonia and  Esthonia ;  and  very  rarely  as  far  as  Prussia.  In 
America  they  abound  around  Hudson's  Bay,  where  the/ 
are  said  to  breed  along  the  coast,  making  their  nests  on 
dry  ridges  on  the  ground.  In  the  ancient  continent,  they 
shelter  their  nests  in  the  high  tufts  of  the  heath,  and  in 
the  dwarf  willows.    Their  eggs,  10  to  12,  are  longer  than 


"Bummijii.ii n  <i»ii.imiiiii<HIii'ih«iiii 


IRD8. 

countries  as  an  article 

84  ounces,  the  length  14  to 
d  of  black  proceeding  from 
The  lateral  feathers  of  the 
der.  Feet  and  toes  thickly 
ited  cicatrice  over  the  eyes. 


GE  PTARMIGAN. 

.  p.  475.  [Ed.  alt.]    T.  albw, 
Partridge.     Pknnant,  Arc. 
cad.  Nat.  Hist.  Phil.) 

)lunt,  and  depressed  towards 
little  curved  ;  no  difference 
nrr  plumage  above  reddish 
d  spots,  except  on  the  fore 
:8  i)ure  white.  —  Female  and 
:k  spots. 

Ollow  Grous  by  Hearne, 
ans,  is  another  inhabi- 
ig  its  residence  to  the 
I  Europe,  they  are  very 
ins  of  central  Europe, 
orway,  Sweden,  Green- 
.vays  frequenting  the  for- 
declivitiesof  the  highest 
ti  further  south  tlian  Li- 
sly  as  far  as  Prussia.  In 
dson's  Bay,  where  thej 
,  making  their  nests  on 
ancient  continent,  they 
fts  of  the  heath,  and  in 
D  to  12,  are  longer  than 


WILLOW  GROUS,  OR  LARGE   PTARMKiAN. 


675 


those  of  the  preceding  species,  of  a  muddy  white,  or  in- 
clining to  pale  rufous,  covered  and  niarhlcd  with  great 
numbers  of  spots,  of  the  color  of  clotted  blood. 

It  is  somewhat  remarkable  'hat  this  species,  still  more 
boreal  tlian  tiie  Common  Ptarmigan  in  Europe  and  Asia, 
should  constantly  ialiubit  to  the  soutli  of  that  species  in 
North  America,  where  it  seems,  as  it  were,  to  have  usurp- 
ed its  residence.  Tlieir  general  habits  are  very  similar 
to  those  of  the  preceding.  Like  thorn,  they  become  grega- 
rious at  the  setting  in  of  winter,  roaming  after  their  food 
in  flocks  of  as  many  as  200  ;  living  then,  and  at  most 
seasons,  on  the  tops,  buds,  and  even  seeds  of  the  dwarf 
willow,  and  hence  called  Willow  Partrulgrs.  They 
also  subsist  on  most  kinds  of  northern  berries,  and  many 
other  kinds  of  buds  and  leaves,  with  the  tops  of  the 
heath,  and  the  seeds  of  the  birch.  As  food,  this  species 
is  preferred  to  the  smaller  Ptarmigan. 

The  weight  of  this  species  is  24  ounces.  The  length  H'>\  inches, 
alar  extent  23.  Summer  plumage.  —  Head,  neck,  back,  scapulars, 
middle  tail-featiiers  and  tljpir  coverts,  of  a  rufous  chesnut  of  different 
shades,  without  spots  on  the  fore  part  of  tlie  neck,  but  with  black 
zig-zag  lines  on  the  other  parts,  and  black  spots  on  the  top  of  the 
back;  inferior  part  of  the  breast,  and  all  below,  with  the  greater  part 
of  the  wing-coverts,  and  the  quills,  white.  Lateral  tail-feathers  black, 
tipped  with  whitish.  Cicatrice  over  the  eye  scarlet. — In  winter, 
with  the  exception,  of  the  lateral  tail-feathers,  they  become  wholly 
white ;  and  for  the  purpose  of  giving  additional  warmth  at  this  in- 
clement season,  tlie  feathers,  except  the  quills  and  tail,  are  doubled, 
a  downy  feather  being  addid  to  the  base  of  each  ;  a  provision  com- 
mon also  to  the  preceding  species. 


I 


iwiiiiiiiiiilmiiMiii 


MIWMWUfltWlWmw 


INDEX. 


A. 
^oiTiiALi  (Fnniily  of),  234. 
Anthomv/i  (Fiuiiily  ot"),  M*i. 
Anthts  (GeiiUH  oi),  451). 
AsTUK  (Subgenus  of),  64. 

B. 

Barn  Owl  (iUrix  fiummea),  139- 
143. 

Birds  of  Prey  (Accipitres),  31, 
32. 

Blackbird     Cow     {Icterus    peca- 
ns), 178- \^i. 

American   (Qlmscalus, 

genus  of,  l!tl. 

-  Common    Crow  (Quis- 


ealiis  rrrsicohr).  ll'4  -  1S)7. 

Great  Crow  ((■liiiscidus 


major),  lUd,  Iil3. 

Red-Winged     {Icterus 


phicnice.ii.-:) .  Kill-  \~'> 

Rusty  ( (iuiscalus  ferru- 


ginctui).lW,-M>. 

Slender-Bllled  (Quisca- 


lus  liirritus)    \'.)S. 

Blue-Bird  {jliiipelis  sialic),  444- 
440. 

Bob-o-Link.  or  Rice  Bunting  (Ic- 
terus (iirrijtrnnis),  IH.'i-  l!IO. 

BoNASiA   (Subgenns  ot),  057. 

Bubo  (Subgenus  of)  1'.i4. 

Bullfinches  (PvRnnui.A,  Genus 
of),  533. 

Bullfinch  Crimson-Fronted  (P. 
frontalis).  5;M. 

Pine   or  Grosbeak  {P. 

envclentor),  5;J5. 

Buntings  (Emberiza,  Genus  of), 
457. 

Bunting  Snow  (Emberiza  niva- 
lis), 4o8-m). 

Bunting  Black-Throated  (Emberi- 
za Americanti),  401,  4G3. 


Butcher-Birds    (Lanius,    Genus 

of),a57. 
Butcher-Bird     Great     American 

(Lartius    srptcntrionalis),   258- 

2(il). 
Bi'TKo  (Subgenus  of),  !)7. 
Buzzard    Black   (t'aico  Jfarlani). 

105. 
Red-Tailed  or  Hawk  (F. 

borealis),  1()2-I(i4. 
Short-Winged  (F.   "Bu- 

tcoidcs),  100,  101. 


Canori  (Family  of),  256. 
Cahih.ki.is  (Subgenus  of),  511. 
Cat- Bird   ('l\irdus  felieox),  332- 

337. 
Cedar- Bird,  or  Cherry  Bird  (Bom- 

bijrilla  carol intnsis),  246-255 
'Chuck- Wills- Widow'       (Capri- 

miilirii.s  rarolincnsis),  ()]2,  013. 
CtR(;i;s  (Subgeims  of),  lOiJ. 
CoctY/.iJS  (Genus  of),  550. 
Coi.Ai'TF.s  (Subgenus  ot),  .">C0. 
Coi.i.siA  (Subgenus  of),  t>40. 
Coi.i.MBA    (Piirnoris,    Genus    of, 

which  see),  (,2-1. 

(Subgenus  of),  024. 


Coi.uMBiNi  (Order  of),  (123. 
Condor  (Cttthart.es  grifplius),  35- 

■M. 
Cotingas   (.Vmpei.is,   Genus  of), 

442. 
Creeper  Brown  (Certhia  famitia- 

ris),  .585. 
Crkkpkrs   (Certhio;   Genus  of), 

584. 
Crossbills     (Loxia,    Genus    of), 

,'>3«i. 
Crossbill   Paroquet  (Loxia  pytio- 

psittaais),  537. 


i 


\ 


678 


INDEX. 


CroMbill  Common   {iMxia  curd- 
Tostrii),  fdW,  r>',l!). 

AVliiie-WJnged    (Loiia 

levco/itrrn),  540. 

Crown  (Couvr»,  Genus  of),  201. 

Crow  ((Jorriis  corone),  '20!)- 215. 

Columliian   {Curnis  coluin- 

bianus),  21  ti. 

FisKinij  (Corvus  ossifragun), 

21(1.217. 

Cuckoo  YeliowBUled,  or  Rain- 
Crow  (CocajiUi  americunua), 
551. 

ninck-nilied  (C.   drnnini- 

cus),  r^ci,  rji'i?. 

Mangrove  (C.  seniculus), 


Finch  Sharp-Tailed  (f.  caudacu- 
ta),  r.05. 

Shore  (F.  liUoriilis),  504. 

Savanna  or  Yellow-Shoul 


dered    Sparrow     (F.    saranna- 
rum),  4'.>4. 
White-Crowned  or  BunUng 

(F.  Irueophnia),  470. 
Fish-Hiiwk  orOsprey  (Fo/co  Aa- 

liiflii.>),  78-84. 
Fi.YtArriiKiis  (^Musricapa,  Genus 

of),  2(i:t,  2()4. 
Flycatciier    Arkansas  (^Muscicapa 

rtrtkalis),  273. 

Fork-Tailed  (JV/.  sava- 


658. 


D. 


Dacnis  (Subgenus  of),  409. 

E. 

Eagi.ks  (Subgenus  of),  fil. 
Eagle     Bnld,    or    VViiite-Headed 

(Faho  IrueurrphtiJus),  72-77. 
Royal  or  Golden  (F.  /«/- 

OTK"),  (>2 -()(). 

Washington  (F.    Washing- 

tonitmus)  ,iX7  -T\ . 
Ei.ANrs  (Subgenus  of),  03. 
Embkri/.oidks     (Subgenus     of), 

177. 

F. 
Falcon  (Genus  of),  40,  50. 
Connnon   {Faim  peregri- 

«M«),.53-57. 

Rough-Legged   (F.  lagu- 


ji«),274. 

—   Pewit  or   Phoibe  (M. 


a<ra),  278-281-  ^^ 

Say's  {M-  Snm.),  277. 

Swallow-Tailed       (Jtf. 

/()r/!rrt/«),275,  27G. 

Great-Crested  (M.  en- 


7iJto;,271,272. 
Fi.vcatcuek's  VVarbi.ino  (I  ireo, 

Genus  of;,  302. 
Fi.vcatchkhsSvi.van, Blue-Gray 

(Musriaipa  rarulca),  297,  208. 
Bonaparte's 


(At.  Jiomiimrtii),  20(!. 

'  1 —  Selby's  (M. 


-Small-Head- 


Srlhii),  ib. 


/>i/.9),07,  08. 
Winter     (F.     hiemalis), 

10(i-]08. 
Finches   (Frhigilla,   Genus   of), 

472. 
Finch  Ferruginous   (Fringilla  tli- 

aca).  514. 
Bay-Winged,  or  Grass  (F. 

graminrii),  482,  483. 

Lark  (F.  gramninreii),  480. 

Lazuli  (F.  amiviKi),  473. 

Painted    (F.   Wris),     477- 

478. 

Pine  (F.  pinns).  511. 

Purple  or  American  Linnet 

F.  purpurru),  520-533. 
. Sea-Side    (F.    maritimn), 

605,  50(5. 


ed,  (.V.  minutit),  ib. 
FniNGii.i,A  (Subgenus  of),  514. 

G. 

Goshawk  American  (Fako  atri- 

f«y«7/H.s;,85-87. 
GoDUA  (Subgenus  of),  C35. 
GK.\Nivoiioiisor Passerine  Birds 

(Order  of),  453. 
Gregarii  (Family  of),  144. 
Grosbeak  Blue    (Fringilia  c(ertt- 

Im),  52!). 

Cardinal  (F.  cardiiuilis), 


510. 


Evening   (F.  vcsperU- 

nn),  520. 

Rose-Breasted  ("F .  turfo- 


riciana),  ,527,  528. 
Ground  Robin  or  Towwee  Finch 

(F.  prythrophthalma),  515-518. 
Grous  (Trtrao,  Genus  of),G5C. 
(Subgenus  of),  657. 


mummmf!- 


Sliarp-Tailed  {F.  caudacu- 
.")(»5. 

Shore  (F.  liUortilis),  504. 
Savanna  or  Yellow-Shoul- 
A    Sparrow     {t\    saranna- 

),  4' '4. 

Wliile-Crowned  or  Bunting 

Iniroplini.i),  470. 

Iiiwk  orOsprey  (Falco  ha- 

„.>),  78-84. 

ircHKiis  {Muscicapa,  GenuB 

,  acn,  ac4. 

teller    Arkansas  {Afuscirapa 
'icalis),  iJ73. 

Fork-Tailed  (M.  sava- 

1)74. 
■— —   Pewit  or   Phojbe  (Af. 

7),a78-a8i.  _„ 

Say's  {M.  Stivii.),  277. 

Swnllow-Tailed       (Jtf. 

tiriila),  275,  27C. 

Great-Crested  (M.  en- 

t;,271,272. 

ATC1IF.U'»  WaUBMNO  (VlTtO, 

nus  of;,  ;!02. 

ATciiEiis  Svi.VAN, Blue-Gray 

tusckiijm  carulca),  297,  298. 

_. Bonaparte's 

/.  Bontipiirtii),  21Mi. 

Selby's  (M. 


-Small-Head- 


hii),  ib. 


,(M.  miimtu),  ib. 

G1I.LA  (Subgenus  of),  514. 

G. 

lawk   American  (Falco  atri- 

HA  (Subgenus  of),  ()'.15. 

NivonoiisorPAssERiNE  Birds 

>rder  of),  453. 

GABii  (Family  of),  144. 

ibeuk  Blue    (FringiUa  cam- 

I),  52!). 

Cardinal  (F.  cardhmlis), 

!». 

Evening    (F.  vesperti- 

i),  52fi. 

_, Rose-Breasted  (F.  ludo- 

m„« ),  527,  5Sy. 
und  Robin  or  Towwee  Finch 
F.  erytlirophtliatma),  515-518. 
)us  (Trtmo,  Genus  of),G5G. 
—  (Subgenus  of),  C57. 


INDEX. 


670 


Orous  Dusky  (Tctrao  obscurus), 

Pinnated  (T.rupido),  Wfl. 

Rufted  (T.  iimhrllu.i),  (OT. 

Spotted  or  Canadian   ('/'. 

eanadrnsi.i),  M7. 

Sharp-Tailed  (T.  phasiii- 


I'lieasant-Tailed,  or   Cock 


of  the  Plains  (T.  iirophiDiMnus), 
C<55. 

White,  or  Ptarmigan,  {T. 


laaopus),  (171. 

Willow  (T.  so/ jff^/),  074. 


Gyrfalcon  (Ftiiro  islandicus),  51, 

II. 

HAi.cvorrs   (.llri/onen,  Order   of), 

5i)3. 
HAi.i.»:Tr.s  (Subgenus  of),  71. 
Hawk  (Fiiiro,  Genius  of),  4i>,  .51). 
Aiiierioan    Brown    (Falco 

fusrim),  !s7-8i». 

Cooper's  (F.  Ciiopcrii),  ill). 

Stanley's  (F.  Staideii.      F. 

Cooptrii'),  '.M. 
White-Tailed   (F.  dispiir), 

93,94. 
Little  Corporal   (F.  trmrrn- 

rius),  <>1. 
Black  (F.  Snneti-Johannis), 

08,99. 
Broad-Winged  (F.  pennayl- 

vanicus).  1(15. 
Hawk  Owl  (Slrixfiinfrea),  115. 
Swallow-Tailed  (/".  furra- 

tus),  95,  !M;. 
Hen-Harrier  (Fairo  njaneits),  109 

-111. 
HuMMiNfi-Binns   (Trorhilus,   Ge- 
nus of),  587. 
Ruby-Throated 

(T.fH/M/ov.s;,  588-592. 

I. 
IcTERiA  (Genus  of),  299. 
Yellow- Breasted  (fcteria 

wWrfis;,  299-301. 
Icterus  (Troopialg,   Genus  of), 

151. 

(Subgenus  of),  ib. 

IcTiNiA  (Subgenus  of),  91. 
Insectivorois  Birds  (Order  of), 

25G. 


Indigo  Bird    (FringiUa  ctfanea), 
473-47(1. 

iNTRODUtnoN,  1  -30. 

J. 

Jav.i   (Garruhis,   Subgenus   of), 

Jay   Blue   (Corrua  crisliiiiis),  224 

-  228. 

Columbia  (C.  Hiilliirkii),  230. 

Canada   (C.  caiuiilensis),  232, 

233. 
Florida  (C.  fioridanus),  230, 

231. 
Steller's  (C.  Stellerii),  229. 

K. 

King-Bird  (Miiscirapii  lijrarnns), 
2(>5  -  270, 

King-Fisher  Belted   (Akrdo  Jitnj- 
nii).rt<M-'>'M\. 

Kite  Mississipjii  (Fitleo  plumbeus, 
it2,  93. 

L. 

Lahks  (.Ihiiidd.  Genus  of),  454. 

I. ark   Brown   (.hil/iiis  spinoleUa), 
450-452. 

Shore    (Alauda    alprstris), 

4.')5,  .l.^Ci. 

Meadow,  or  .\nieriRan  Star- 
ling (Sliirnus  liiiliirii-ianus),  147 

-  1'50. 

Long-Spur    Lapland     (Emheriza 
luppcidta),  4(i3,  4(J4. 

M. 
Maopies   (Pica,    Subgenus  of), 

218. 
Magpie   (Corrtis  pica).  219-223. 
Marsh  Wren  (Troglodytes  palus- 
fW*;,  439 -441. 

Short- lulled  (T.bre- 


rirostris),  430-  438. 
Martin   Purple   (Hinindo  piir]>ti- 

rfn;,.598-(!00. 
Mei.i.isioa  (Sul)genus  of),  587. 
Mockinw-Bird   (Tiirdits  polyglot- 

<«»J,  320-327. 

N. 

Nioiit-Hawks  (Crt;)mn«/j?'tf.'»,  Ge- 
nus of),  (il2. 

Night-Hawk  (Caprimulgus  vir- 
ginianus),  019-C22. 


680 


INDEX. 


NuTHATdiES   (SUta,   Genus  of), 

580,  r>HI. 
Brown-headed    (S. 

pusilta),  •'AA. 

-1 Red  Sellied  (S.  can- 

adm.ii.i),  -^rtU. 

Nutlmlcli  White-Breasted  Amer- 
ican ( 6'.  curoliiieiisis),  561. 


Omnivorocs   Birds   (Order  of), 

144. 
Oriole  Miiltimore  or  Golden  Robin 

(Irtrnia  Hiiltiniori),  152-l(i4. 
Ori'.liardC/.  spunus),  1()5- 

1C7. 
Orphf.is  (Subgenus  of),31.S. 
Owls  (Utrix,  Genus  of)  111-114. 
Owl   Burrowing   (Strix  cunkitla- 

rUi),  11'"^,  11!'- 
Red  and  Mottled  (S.  ash), 

120-1  :;>:». 
Snowy  CS.  nijrtea),  llC,  117. 

Great   Grey    (H.    einerea), 

128. 

Great  Horned  (S.  virginUi- 

na),  124-127. 

Long- Eared   (S.  otus),  130, 

131. 
Scandinavian  (S.  scandiaai), 

note.  143. 
Short-Eared  (S.  bracltyolos), 

132. 

Barred (S.  jjpWow/J,133, l:M. 

Brown  or  Aluco   (S.  aliico), 

135,  l:U!. 

Acadian  (S.  acadica?),  137, 

138. 

P. 
Pandion  (Subgenus  of),  77. 
Parrots    (Psittams,  Genus  of), 

543. 
Parrot     Carolina   (P.    curoUnen- 

sisj,  545 -549. 
PARTRinoES  (Perdix,  Genus  of), 

645. 
Pe-pe,  or  Olive-Sided  Flycatcher 

(Miiscicapa  Cooperi),  282  -  284. 
Pewee  Wood  (Muscicapu  virens), 

285-287. 
Small  (M.  aeadica),  288- 

200.   , 
Pigeon    (Columba,    Genus    of), 

624. 


Pigeon  CarolinL,  or  Turtle  Dove 
(C.  enrol iniii.iis),  (i2(l. 

Uand-i'ailed  (C.fasciata), 


624. 
Passenger     or     Common 

(C  migrutiirui),  ()2!). 
Ground,  or  Dove  (C.  pas- 

scriiui),  635. 

White-Crowned  (C.  leu- 


cocepliiiJaj,  625. 

Zenaida,  or  Dove   (C.  ze- 


niiida),  625. 

Hawk   (Falco  columbari- 


v.i),  60. 

Pl.KCTROPHANES     (SubgeUUS    of) , 

463. 
PsiTT Acrs  (Subgenus  of),  .544. 
PvRANGA  (Subgenus  of),  465. 

Q- 

Quail  American  (Perdix  virgmi- 

una),  MV>. 

Californian   (P.  califomi- 


eaj,  655. 


R. 


Raven  (Corriis  eorar),  203-208. 
Red-Bird,  or  Cardinal  Grosbeak 

(Friiigilla     c(irdimdis),     519- 

525. 
Summer  (  Tanagra  (esti- 
va J.  4m -470. 
Red- Poll    Lesser   (Fringilla  Una- 

rw),  512-514. 
Robin  American  ( Tardus  migra-- 

torius),  3.W-342. 
Redstart    American    (Muscicapa 

r«f/rj7/nA2!ll-2<,!5. 
Reuulus  (Crested  Wrens,  Genua 

of),  414. 

S. 
Seiurus  (Subgenus  of),  352. 
Sericati  (Family  of),  246. 
Shrike  Logger-Head  (Ijinius  lu- 

doriciunus ) ,  2(il ,  262. 
SiAi.iA  (Subgenus  of),  443. 
Siskin   Aikansa  (Fringilla  psal- 

tria),  510. 
Slender-Billed  Birds  (Tenui- 

rostres,  Order  of),  580. 
Snow-Bird    Common    (Fringilla 

niralis:'),4{n-4Q3. 
Sparrow   Ambiguous    (Fringilla 

amhigua),  484,  485. 


iwmtaemBmm 


an  Carolinu ,  or  Turtle  Doye 
'.  oirolimiisis),  (lliCi. 

—  Hand- railed  (Cfusciata), 
1. 

PaBsenger     or     Common 

'.  mi  if  ra  tor  III),  (i'-i!t. 

—  (fround,  or  Dove  (C.  pat- 
ina), ()!tr). 

—  White-Crowned   (C  leu- 

■fpiiiJaj,  (yr>. 

—  Zeiiaida,  or  Dove   (C  ze- 
ida),  (i!!ir>. 

-•    Hawk   (Falco  columbari- 

),  m. 

rrRoPHANES   (Subgenus   oO» 

3. 

rAci's  (Subgenus  of),  544. 

VNGA  (Subgenus  of),  4G5. 

il  American  (Pcrdix  virgmtr 
a),  ()4(). 

—  Californian   fP.   ealifomi- 
I,  055. 

R. 
fn  (Corrn.i  cornr),  203-208. 
■Bird,  or  Cardinal  Grosbeak 
'YuigitUi     airdiiudis),     519- 

Summer  (Tmiagra  atsti- 

7.400-470. 

-Poll   Lesser  (t\ingHla  lina- 

/;,  512-514. 

in  .\merioan  ( Tardus  migra- 

riim),  :i.W-342. 

start    American    (Muscicapa 

iinnn),'£.n-m^. 

iii,us  (Crested  Wrens,  Genua 
■),  414. 

S. 
^Rus  (Subg'enus  of),  ;152. 
icATi  (Family  of),  240. 
ke  Logger-riead  (Imiuus  lu- 
irieiiiniis),  201 ,  202. 
LiA  (Subgenus  of),  443. 
;in  Aikansa  (Fringilla  psal- 
ia),  510. 

NDEH-BlLLED    BlRDS    (TmUV- 

<slres,  Order  of),  580. 

w-Bird    Common    (Fringilla 

Ttt/i».^>,491-4!)3. 

rrow   Ambiguous    (Fringilla 

nbiguaj,  484,  465. 


INDEX. 


C81 


Sparrow  Common,  or  Song  (F. 

meludia),  4rt0-48!». 
Cliipuing   (F.  socialis), 

4!)7,4!W,    "     *  ^' 

Field  (F.juncorum),  490 


■  501. 


Savannah  (F.  savanna), 

489-490. 

Swamp   (F.  georgiana), 

502,  503. 

Tree    (F.    canadensis), 

495,  49(;. 

White-Throated  ^K^JCHW- 

sijlrnnira),  481. 
Sparrow- 1  lawk  American  (Falco 

sparrrriii.i),  58,  59. 
SiM/.A  (SubjjenuM  of),  473. 
Starlings   (iturnus,  Genus  of), 

145. 
Strix  (Owls,   Genus  of).  111- 
114. 

(Subgenus  of),  138. 

Sturnki.i.a  (Subgenus  of),  14C. 
ScRNiA  (Subgenus  of),  114. 
SvLVANiA  (Subgenus  of),  290. 
SvLviA,  see  Warblers. 

(Subgenus  of),  3C1. 

Swallow     Tribe      (Chdidones, 

Order  of),  .507. 
Swallows  (Hirumlo,  Genus  of), 

ib. 
Swallow  Cliff  r/f. /«/rrt;,  G()3, 004. 

Barn  (H.  rufa),  001 ,  002. 

Bank   or  Sand  Martin 

(H.  riparia),  007. 

— Chimney    (Cypselus  pe- 

lasgius),  009. 

Wliite-Bellied  (H.  bico- 


Thrush  Aquatic  (T.  noveboractn- 
sis),  353,  ;i54. 

Golden-Crowned  (T.  au- 


rorapilliis),  355,  il5(i. 

lleriiiit.   or  Little  ^'jT.  7»i- 


nur),  340-348 

Ferruginous  (T,   riifitsj, 

328-331. 

Wilson's    (T.    U'itsvnii), 

349-3.52. 

TiTMousK   (Parus,    Genus     of), 
2;i4,  23.">. 

Black-Ciipt,  or  Chica- 


/or;,C05,  (UMI. 
Swifts    (Cypselus,    Genus    of), 

008. 
Swift  Chimney,  or  Swallow   (C. 

pelasgius),  009,  010. 

T. 

Tanagras  (Tanagra,  Genus  of), 

405. 
Tanagra  Louisiana  (  T.  ludoviciti- 

na),  471. 
Scarlet  (T.  rubra),  405- 

468. 
Thrushes  (Turdus,  Genus  of), 

318.  " 


dee  (P.  imlustris),  2-11  -245. 

Hudson's  Way  (P.  had- 

soniraj,  see  note,  24."). 

Tulled    (P.    hicolor), 

2'i(!  -  240. 
Tiiitvoiiioiu  s  (Section  of),  430. 
TuoGi.ouvTKs  (Genus  of),  422. 
Trcxii'ials    (Icterus,    Genus  of), 

1 .5 1 . 
Troopial  Yellow-Headed  (T.  icte- 

rocipliulutij,  17<). 
Turkey   (Meleagris,  Genus  of), 

(!:18. 
Turkey  Wild  (Jtf.  gallopavo),  639 

-  (!4.5. 
Turkey-Buzzard  f  Ca//jarte«  awroA 

43-45. 

U. 
Ulula  (Subgenus  of),  129. 


ViREo  (Warbling  Flycatchers,  Ge- 
nus of),  302. 

Red-Eyed     (Virco    oliva- 

rras;,  312,317. 

Solitary    (V.    soUtarius), 

305. 

Yellow-Throated  (V.  flavi- 


//•on^y,  302-304. 
Warbling  (V.  gilvus),  309 

311. 
White-Eyed   (V.  norebma- 

ce?isis),'S0(j-3O8. 

Vigor's  (V.  Figorsii),  318. 

Vi.LTiRKs  (Fultur,  Genus  of),  33. 
Vulture   Black    (Cathartes  iota). 

40-48. 

-  Californian  (C.  calif omi- 


anus),  39. 

King('C.;)flpoJ,40,  41. 


--  White-Tailed,  42. 


682 


INDEX. 


W. 


Wnrlilt-r    A\ituiiiiial    ^%/ri«  flu- 

tummiii,tj,:v.m,:m. 

■ Hiiy-UteadteU  (  Sylvia  cas 

tuiica).  'l.'"^. 
Uluck-Tliroutfd  Blue  (S. 

canaili  iisis),  iim. 
Hliick-Tlirontcd     Green 

(S.  rirnis),  :»7ti-;!7f^. 

Itliicklniraiim  (H.  Black- 


Warbler   Particolored  (S.  amtri- 

I'iue   I'S.  pinna),  3o7  - 

3!)0. 

Pine-Swamp  (S.  spnag- 


iio.iii).4M. 

..-  Prairie  (S.  dmcolor),  394 


-  :t!)(i. 


buriiid:),  ;I7!I. 

—  Ulack-PoU    fS.   striata), 

Black  and  White  (S.  ni- 

rill),  :iH4  -  ;wi. 
Blue  Mountain    (S.    ti- 

jirinii),  'MVA. 
Blu<!  (Jreen  (S.rara),\h. 

—  lilued- Winged      Yellow 


3SX 


Prollionotary  (S.  proto- 
noliiriiiK),4Uf. 

Sliotti'd,   or    Blac:k  and 


(S.  siililaria),  410. 

■  Canada  (is.    imrdalina), 

■  Cape  May  (S.  maritimi), 


372. 
371. 


Yellow  (S.  iiiiinituKii)   :170. 
Suiuuicr      Yellow-Bird 


(S.  ii.ilirii),  370. 

-  'leuncHsee   (S.  percgn- 


ii<i),-llti. 

—  Yellow-Crowned  (S.  co- 


Toiuitii),  3(il-3C>;l. 

-  Yellow  Red-Poll  (S.  po- 


trrliiti),:W4. 

Yellow-Throated    Grey 


-   Chesnut-Sided   (S.  ictc- 
rocipliiiliij,:irt{),:\fil. 

Children's  (S.thildrenl), 

370. 

--  Connecticut  (S,  agilia), 


(S.  priwitis),  37 1.  375. 

—  Yellow  Wren^or  Willow 


Wren  (H.  Tnichilus),  40(>. 

Worm-Eating  (H.  termi- 


3!t!». 
407. 
405. 


Ccerulean     (S.  azurca), 

"  Dusky    (S.     carhotmta), 

■  Green     Black-Capt    (S. 
Wilsoiiii),  408. 

Golden-Winged  (S.  chry- 


soptcra).  411. 

-  lieniloekCS./)arM.<   ,3!)2 


— Hooded,  or    Mitred  (S. 

milratti),  373. 
Ki'Utucky   (S.formosa), 

399,  400. 

-  Maryland  Yellow-Throat 


r(tru),  409. 
Watkii  Ousels  (Ciiielut,  Genu« 

of) ,  357. 
Water  Ousel    Black,    or    Dipper 

(C.  Pallaaii),  ;i5ri.  359. 
AVaxkn  CiiATTKiiKUs  ( BovWycu- 

la.  Genus  of),  ii4(i. 
Wa.ven   Chatterer  (B.  garrula), 

2M>,  'M7.  ,      , 

'  Wliip-poor-wiir    (Caprimulgus 

Tonfmis) ,  OH  -  tilti. 
Wooi>i'EcKERs  (Picua,  Genus  ol;, 

.559. 
Woodpecker  Lewis's   (P-  torqua- 

tua),  577. 

—  Red-Bellied  (P.  car- 


(S.  «W(;/i«.'(;.40l-403 

Mourning   (S.  philadrl- 

phia),  404. 

—  Nashville   (S.  rubrieapil- 


te;,41-2. 

—  Orange-Throated  (S.  ati- 


rieolUa).  ;W0. 

Orange-Crowned  (S.  ce- 


oliniis),  5:72. 
.   Red-Cockaded     (P. 

ijiierulvs),  .577. 
__ Red-Headed  (P.  ery- 

tlirocej,lialua),5^0. 
.  Northern  Three-toed 

fP.  triJactytus),  57ri. 

Golden- Winged  (P. 


lata),  413. 


aurutus),  .5(11. 

-Ivory-Billed  CP.pnn- 


cipdis),  5(>4. 

Pileated    (P.  pUta- 


tua),  507. 


^^mwmmmmmai 


T 


INDEX. 


083 


ler   Particolored  (S.  ameri- 

—  '■   i'ine   ('i'.  pinui),  387  - 

l.  Pine-Swamp  (S.  splmg- 

aJ,4(Mi. 

I'rairie  (S.  dUcolor),  31)4 

ltd. 

Priitlionolary  (S.  proto- 

iiriim),  4H>. 

—  !r<|>otte<l,   or    Blnck  and 
llciw  (S.  iiiiiriiloiKi )   :t70. 

-..   Smiiiiur      Vellow-Bird 
.  antini),  •''(>. 

'I'euneBaee   (H.  percgrt- 

;,4ia. 

Yellow-Crowned  (S.  co- 

iiiuij,  :u!i  -  ;ic>;». 

Yellow  lled-PoU  (S.  pc- 

/.»/;,  :ttl4. 

Yellr)w-Tlironted    Grey 

.  pnuiilis),  37 1.  37*). 

— -  Yellow  VVren^or  Willow 

ren  (S.  Trudiiliin),  40(>. 

Worm-Eatii4E  (H-  ccrvU- 

ru),  40!). 

Ki»  Ousels  (Cindua,  Genua 
').3o7. 

ler  Ousel    Blnck,    or    Dipper 
:-.  PaUfuii),  3M,  3o'.). 
\r.s  CiiATTKRK.KS  ( Bomtiycu- 
,  Genus  of),  240. 
sen   Cliatterer  (O.  garrula), 
Hi,  247. 

liip-|)oor-will '     (CaprimvJgus 
)r(/Vri/s^  <>14-()18. 
oin'KcKERS  (Pkua,  GcnUB  of), 
ii). 

odpecker  Lewis's   (P.  torjua- 
ts),  577. 
Red-Bellied  (P.  car- 

Hniia),  572. 

Red-Cockaded     (P. 

iirruhis),  >'')77. 

Red-Headed  (P.try- 

firoceiilialits),^ii'.). 

Northern  Three-toed 

/'.  tridaetylui),  57«. 

Golden- Winged  (P. 

lurutus),  ,5(>1. 

Ivory-Billed  (P.prtn- 

liitalit),  5<>4. 

_! Pileated    (P.  pUea- 

ua),  5C7. 


Woodpecker  Downy    (P.  pubc}     Ii„a   fT.    ludoririanus),    429- 

lEiiBjf  •»/u.  I     433. 

~— /fairy  (T.  villosus), 


Wren    Rocky    Mountnin   ("TVoff- 
liiilijtr.i  nhiolrlii),  4:r>. 


Kiiby-( 'rowntii  (Ilrgulua 
(-uvier's  Crested  (l{.  Cu- 


Yellow-Bellied    (P. 

rariiis),  574 . 

AVood-'I'liriiHh    (Tiirihis    muslcli- 
nus),:m-M:,  I      ri,ni),A\i\. 

WH^SH(Ir„irlo,lyU»,  Genus  oO, : Fiery-Crowned fW.  ^tricoL 

Wren  House   (T.  fidma),  422-       "^  '      "'  X. 

Coiniiion,  or  Winter   fT. 

curopii'ii.i),  427,  42H. 
——•Bewicks     (T:  n»meku),    Yellow-Bird,  r.r  American  Gold- 

7- Gol(Ipn-{  rested   cftrj?M/Mj»        ,010. 

crintaliiii),  M7-4l'X  1  ^ 

Mocking,  or  Great  Caro- 1  Zyoodactfli  (Order  of),  542. 


Xawthornus  (Subgenus  of),  1C8. 


END. 


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